Company Wants to Pay Me to Write and Post an Article on My HP Site

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   Kenna McHughposted 6 years ago

   I was approached by a company who wants me to write an article about their product and post it to my HP site. Though, I told them it needs to be evergreen and educational - not a hard sell or spammy.  They want to proof it and approve it before it goes up. This is cool since they are paying for me to write it and upload it to my site and I get the copyright.  Is this ethical? Have you ever done this?

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      Jean Bakulaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I think it sounds fishy. I've been approached to write articles for other people's blogs, mostly about my niche, and have done it and been paid. But nobody ever asked me to write for them on HP. Is that ethical? I would check to TOS.

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         lobobrandonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I was offered to post stuff for the purpose of a backlink, I refused in all cases. But this is from the SEO community who knows that I have articles here. No businesses have contacted me directly, just their SEO teams. Links from the niche sites are really strong, so it's not really fishy. But proceeding with caution is always a wise thing to do.

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            Jean Bakulaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            I think we are talking about two different things. I've been invited to write articles for other blogs on topics I specialize in, and got paid for writing them. It had nothing to do with products, or any kind of back links. Of course, I did get more attention in my field. I've been paid and written monthly columns too, but it only promoted me, or I did it as a favor for friends.
            
            The article for reviewing a product for another company on HP may work, but it will have a hard time getting past an editor.

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   2. 76

      TIMETRAVELER2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Although this sounds like a good deal, I'm not sure it is ethical for you to do.  You should ask yourself whether this product is one that you have used and like so much that you want to write about it and tell how much better it is than similar products and why.
      
      They are looking for relatively free advertising, that's all.  If they had to pay to post an online full page ad about their product, I'm sure it would cost much more than what they likely are offering you...especially since the ad would be permanently online.
      
      Personally, I do not think this is a good idea for many reasons.

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      1. 92

         Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Good point!

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   lobobrandonposted 6 years ago

   Are they asking for a link back to their site?

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      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      When they found out, I own the article, not HP, they want me to write the contract. Initially, yes they wanted a link to their site. I can make that clear I won't add a link. In the long run, it would be better for them.

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         lobobrandonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Oh it seems like you already have a hub on this topic, then there is no harm in checking something out and writing an unbiased review.
         
         You could also write a biased review, but then ethics would come up and it would be something you should decide yourself.

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         1. 92

            Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            You are right.  It is best to decide for myself, but it is good to get feedback from others. I will make it clear what I want to write. If they don't like it, then I will move on.

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               lobobrandonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

               Yup, I didn't mean not ask for feedback. I was speaking regarding the ethical aspect of doing something like this Personally, I wouldn't mind as long as it was honest and if I was okay with it having my name on it.

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                  Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes. I totally agree. I have been going back and forth with the company - making sure I am personally okay with it.

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   Cre8torposted 6 years ago

   I've never but have been offered once and turned it down because it was a company and I couldn't vouch for any of what they wanted. I would think if it's a product the best way would be to have them send you the product to review honestly. If they really believe in their product they won't be afraid to have you do so, your Hub would be evergreen, and I don't think there would be anything unethical that way. At least it seems that way to me based only on my opinion.

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      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      It's an app, so I will try it of course, and then write the article. Thanks for your input.

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         wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         I would question their requirement that they approve it before publishing and before you get paid - it doesn't sound like they're looking for an honest review but instead one to their benefit.

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         1. 92

            Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Yeah. That is what I was thinking, too.

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            TIMETRAVELER2posted 6 years agoin reply to this

            +1

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4. 92

   Titiaposted 6 years ago

   I know that back then on Squidoo someone had made it her job to write reviews. She was very good at writing reviews and companies would send her the (sometimes expensive) item (to keep) and payed her as well.

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      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Writing a good review takes hard work.

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   paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

   Your main problem is going to be the HP editor that gets a hold of it and that will all depend on which network site is involved. It's going to be luck of the draw I'm afraid. So think about alternate platform contingency plans while you're composing your masterpiece.

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      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Good point, thanks.

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   Rochelle Frankposted 6 years ago

   I would say no, based on advice I got from a newspaper editor. You give up rights to "prior restraint" if you allow your source to edit your work. I wrote a hub about that subject and other things...  https://hubpages.com/literature/Freelan … and-eZines

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      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Nice piece.  Though, I have met reporters who didn't follow these rules. One was swayed by the board of directors of the newspaper.

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         Rochelle Frankposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Every reporter has that choice,  and when the pressure to be " not quite objective" comes from the management, the writer has to make a choice. It comes down to personal integrity, which can sometime lose out to economic pressures.
         In the case I was referring to, I know the editor wanted her reporters to be "squeeky clean", so that she and the publisher would not look like they were treating someone favorably for kickbacks. . .  which is reasonable, in my opinion. I did write about some local businesses, and they were thrilled, but I think it was very objective.
         When it comes to HP, their policy is to exclude anything that seems overly promotional.  If a company wants you to "promote" them, it would seem to be a bit sticky.
         It all depends on the particular setup.  It might be fine, but I would give some time to consider it.  Personally, I think I would decline.

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            Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            I am leaning toward declining if I cannot do an objective piece. I know they want the "promotional" aspect of an article.  Thank you for your input.

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   Cristaleposted 6 years ago

   I only write about topics that I am passionate about. If this is one of those things for you, then you could take it into consideration. I also like to keep my personal writing separate from work. I do see it as very unethical and disrespectful to this website and the users.

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   paradigmsearchposted 6 years ago

   What a bunch of cynics around here. The problem is I think all of them are right.
   
   Do proceed with extreme caution, if at all.

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9. 94

   Rochelle Frankposted 6 years ago

   I know I have opined on this more than enough, (feel free to tune out) but  when I was writing local feature articles about people in our area (including business people) I was offered a free weekend at a really nice bed and breakfast, free meals at restaurants, free artwork,  free wine at a winery . . . all very tempting, and I am sure the people involved just thought of it as a "thank you" courtesy.  I made it clear that I really appreciated their offers, but had to make sure I was not perceived as being beholden to the source of my story.  Some of my friends thought I was being silly, and teased me a bit for being ethical.
   I'll have to admit I did find it hard to refuse that nice bottle of wine, but I told the winemaker I would buy a bottle. I believe he gave me a "wholesale" price.

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   1. 92

      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      It's a personal choice. I am sorry your friends thought it was funny.

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    Randy Godwinposted 6 years ago

    I get offers like this very often, but I never take them. Just my own personal decision even though it may be acceptable for some.

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    JoannaBlackburnposted 6 years ago

    If you're questioning it, then something inside of you has sent up a red flag.  Trust your gut.

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    1. 92

       Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       You are so right. I am not going to do it.

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          robhamptonposted 6 years agoin reply to this

          If I ever had an offer like that I'd be like "sure, no problem. I want $5,000 up front for all of my time and effort, then a recurring $500 a month just to keep it published. If you miss a payment, I delete the article!" May as well make it worth your while.

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             Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

             I was thinking the same thing, but not that much. : D

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             Jean Bakulaposted 6 years agoin reply to this

             The amounts people offer you to write a piece on their blogs is usually not that large. It can be around $25.00 or $50.00, unless you are promoting something very expensive. But new people get to read your work, and your views or audience grows. Or in my case, I cast astrology charts and do tarot readings online, and I get a lot of new clients who "discover" me on other people's blogs.

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                Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                I see. I am being offered more than that. I am thinking of asking for more if I would do it. Not sure. I am usually not so wishy-washy.

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    Bills Placeposted 6 years ago

    I would contact HubPages first to see what they say, but if it's not against their ToS it may be a legit opportunity. From an SEO standpoint, a business can benefit long-term from a positive article that links back to them from a website with a high page rank (i.e. Hubpages).
    
    However, if it is against HubPages ToS, you could always offer to write articles for the company which they can use as desired.

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    1. 92

       Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       Good points, thank you.

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    psycheskinnerposted 6 years ago

    If they pay you and then Hubpages rejects the article you will be in a heck of a bind.

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    1. 92

       Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

       True. But, I can put that in the contract. To be honest with you, I haven't even thought about it. I have been too busy writing.  They are not paying enough for what they want, anyway.

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