Look around… notice anything different about m3b? I’ve been hemming and hawing about the direction of this blog.
So the FTC wants full-disclosure for blogger/sponsor relationships by December 1. This means that for every advertiser or company that wants to run a give-away or sponsor m3b, I need to issue a disclosure statement. Furthermore, the FTC now says that income-producing blogging needs to be declared and filed on your income taxes, including the retail value of the products you review. You are no longer a blogger, now you are a small business owner. Huh? Small business laws and taxes are, umm… complicated. Not that anyone plans to enforce this, says the FTC. In fact, the law has officially been on the books since 1980. That was loooong before Al Gore invented the internet and no one in 1980 could have foreseen blogging.
I like total control of my content. I didn’t (don’t) accept compensation for reviews, but I appreciated when sponsors wanted to offer m3b readers a chance to win a little somethin’ somethin’. It made it fun. I have no intention of keeping line item lists of every $17 book or 3% affiliate link that runs through here. Having to tag all my links and make statements at the end of giveaways and such seems like a messy way to run a blog. I don’t want to see those things, and I don’t want them mucking up my pretty space. Lastly, the job of keeping a tally of the approximate retail value of the items I reviewed and then declaring them is much too tedious.
I hope the FTC is content with their results. Look, I get the point of it. I don’t want to be tricked into clicking a paid-per-click link to something random, either. I get that some bloggers have turned their online spaces into lucrative businesses. But what happens to all the little online shops, the etsy moms and small businesses who relied on the inexpensive advertising at little blogs like mine? Who has time to keep track of every 3% affiliate link??
Not me, that’s who. I want to play by the rules. The rules suddenly got complicated.
So, m3b has gone ad free. I am sorry to those small businesses I believe in. I am most humbly sorry for the cute, wholesome little publishing company I adore, and the homeschool family business I wanted to tell you about. I have no intention of creating little disclosure statements for each relationship, and I really don’t want to see them at the blogs I read, either.
So what does this mean around here? Not much, really. I get my precious sidebar space back… (That sidebar will be history soon!) but it also means fewer giveaways, I’m sorry to say.
So what will you see here at m3b?
Boys. Blogging tips. Photography stuff. I’ve gotten some requests for Photoshop tutorials and tips. I hope to have more community news for homeschoolers and lots and lots of photos. Bigger photos… once that sidebar is gone!
What I’d like to know, dear readers… how are you all feeling about the FTC pursuing bloggers and companies who advertise with blogs? How do you feel about declaring gifts and products (regardless of how insubstantial) on your income taxes? How is it changing how you blog or which blogs you visit? Do you care, not care? What would you like to see more of here at m3b?
ps – I can’t not share this with you. My friend and photographer, Jen, shot some pics of my fam while we shot some pics of her fam. (Shooting another photographer? No pressure or anything!) She does great work. Thanks Jen, please know I treasure these images.
Our Family - Photography by Jen Smith
I am new to all this stuff and I kind of understand it, but then I kind of don’t. I am finishing up the last of my giveaways and reviews on my blog as well.
Hey–your blog looks cleaner anyway! LOL
Thanks for posting this. I understand a little better now.
Darcy -
That is a FANTASTIC picture of your family. I can’t believe how big the boys are getting.
XOXO
Denise
We’ll be talking about disclosure and the FTC regs at I_Blog. I have always disclosed my sponsored posts, reviews and giveaways; I just thought it was the right thing to do. I also do a thorough itemized list of “income” on my taxes. The rules aren’t changing much for me. My site-wide disclosure lists the companies I have in my sidebar- the few- that I believe in and would buy even if I weren’t an affiliate (and those ads don’t really bring in income, I just love to support the companies). Is it a pain in the rear to add a little disclosure. Yes. But what I hate more is that when I write about something I buy I feel like I have to say “I bought this with my own money and I like it”.
ok, I’m going to have to get up to date. I thought I could just put up a disclosure statement, and then put at the end of the post – “sponsored by” or whatever? Keeping track of every 3% affiliate, seriously?
Well, I’m going to have to get up to speed too. I’ve been hearing about this FTC thing all over, so I guess I had better pay attention. I thought one disclosure would be sufficient too, so I need to read the fine print. I already treat my blog as a small business and claim the income, so that’s nothing new, but I sure don’t want to get caught with the giveaway thing. Thanks for the post! xoxo
Oh, and the family pic is wonderful!!
I am not a blogger, I am a reader. I love your blog. But I wanted to answer your question “How is it changing how you blog or which blogs you visit? “, I never click on any of the ads on any of the 20+ blogs in my reader, not once. I have entered a handful of give-aways only to see that the winners are always other bloggers, every.single.time. What I enjoy is the content, plain and simple. I love your wit, your honesty, the fact that sometimes I can relate to your story and sometimes I cannot, I love homeschooling ideas and opinions (fellow homeschooler). I just love a good read. So I can’t imagine that this rule will affect this reader, but I still think it’s a good one.
P.S. Love the family pic.
You always have someone or some entity out there trying to ruin what has always been a great forum for sharing. I am glad I never decided to have ads on my two blogs and I always disclose any information when I do a review. Mine are always honest and products or companies I do them for I either have no affiliation, or it is so crystal clear that I do, I couldn’t lie if I tried. Plus, I don’t really do the whole affiliate thing, because I don’t want anyone dictating my content.
I love your space and your spirit, so I know this will still be as fun to read as always and you know what, they can’t stop you from sharing something you really like. Enough is enough.
Sorry about all the ad junk. What a pain!
Great picture, your family is beautiful.
I had no idea…..
ok now *I’m* rethinking this whole thing.
AWESOME picture of your family!! Beautiful!
Seems sad that they have to have their hands in everyone’s pocket.
Well thanks for filling us in! I had no clue about all these new rules, so thanks for sharing. I enjoy the occasional giveaway and I like sharing my thoughts about products with readers, but there are some bloggers that take it over the edge for me. When their content is nothing but giveaways and reviews of products they were given, they get crossed off my blog roll.
Love the family picture, btw! Very cute family!
Cute family!
I didn’t realize all the rules and restrictions. So if little ol’ me wants to giveaway something that I pay for, does that fall under the IRS rules too? Bummer.
Looking forward to bigger pics and tutorials too
I’m still reviewing all the impacts but I’m not exactly thrilled by the FTC. I don’t appreciate pay per click or sites with ad after ad, but I also will not appreciate having my already short time cluttered with disclosure statements. *rolls eyes* And it keeps my blog firmly in the “hobby” category because I’m not going to be cultivating any income avenues.
Not a fan of the rules.
Love the family pic! And the Trouble is wearing his medal still!!!
Wow-just like the good ole gov isn’t it. Well, I’m looking forward to the photography lessons. I just bought a Canon Rebel and I love it, but still need to learn how to use it more than just the automatic settings.
I had a website for about ten years and sold it. I always claimed it on my taxes and used every deduction I could too. I am really looking at my blogs too– thinking of joining two of them and trying to narrow things down. I didn’t know the disclosure thing either, but it doesn’t surprise me about claiming the income.
i’m still thinking about it all. i was going to remove blogher ads and do smaller ads but now i’m not sure. it’s hard to know what direction to go. i like the few pennies i get from doing something i love. it helps pay for things like domains and blog services so i don’t feel guilty about it. however, i don’t want it to eat up all my time either. i want blogging to be fun. it is still fun for me now, but making these changes may take the joy out of it.
i do not really understand the significance…
of late, almost all my bloggy friends seem to disclose at the end of review or giveaway if they were compensated or not…and i mean many…like 30 or 40 or so….
as for the sidebar content..i am frankly not aware as i did not notice…but now i will do!
I’ll still be coming here
no worries!!
Love the pic and HEART the hair!!!!
-S
Lovely family portrait! Love the fresh clean uncluttered look of your blog again. It’s unfortunate that so many bloggers will be negatively affected by the new FTC rules. I must admit, however, that I have always preferred blogs that didn’t have a bunch of advertising. Sidebars with book lists, favorite places, and helpful links, I love…but those with ads…Not so much.
(who is still on a bloggy break)
Stacy
Hi!
First, I love your blog and that someone else calls their sons “the 3 boybarians.” I thought I was so clever thinking that up, and apparently you’re equally clever! Boys are awesome, aren’t they?
The whole FTC thing. I won’t get overly political in terms of my comments lest I start a pissing match on your beautiful blog. I’ll just say that I see it as yet another way of Big Government taking every crumb they can from every person they can. No one can possibly keep up with all that stuff, and woe betide someone who tries and doesn’t dot all the i’s or cross all the t’s when they get audited.
On the plus side, I think it will allow more blogs to focus on real stuff instead of becoming nothing more than profit-centers. I keep unfollowing people on Twitter who were once interesting and now just hawk stuff trying to make a buck. It’s disappointing and not what I look for in the blogosphere personally.
Keep up the great work! I’ll still be reading via Google Reader!
I love the family photo Darcy you look so pretty! I want a “real” copy. please.
Hey Darc, LOVE the family pix.
Beautiful!
I’m not gonna worry about it. I’ll just do what I do and if they want to sue me, go for it. I hate all this picky little red tape stuff. I probably don’t make $50 a year off my blog, so I’m sure I’m way too small potatoes for anyone to bother me about it. I think they’re going to go after the big fish instead of little minnows like us.
See, that’s one reason I don’t blog. Too complicated!
Love, love, love your family picture.
I forgot to tell you that I lerve your haircut.
And as far as blogging topics, my favorites have always been about your daily life and your family. I hope you keep it up. It makes my stalker side happy.
your little boy with the medal around his neck – !!! how cute is that!
Love the picture. . .love the cowboy boots!:)
Look forward to your photography tips, pictures & blogging tips
Heather
FTC is requiring this schtuff? Wow – this will make me re-think the giveaways too! Holy Schmoly! Found you through a RT on twitter, and now RSS’ing things – loooks like my giveaways may end too!
I’m with ya. That sounds tedious and complicated! I don’t blame you a bit for going ad-free as I’m pretty sure you’re a busy, busy Mom who doesn’t have time for all that stuff.
All that stuff is just confusing and since it doesn’t really affect me I’ll just skip right to the wonderful picture! Pictures as a family are so special and you guys look great! Love the boys matching shirts!
I do understand that bloggy moms walk a fine line with the FTC etc. I have read many articles on this. I agree “who’s going to keep track” and I will say that I make little to no money from my blog…I have had the opportunity to do several giveaways, review some great products and many I do on my own just because I love the store or product. I always disclose if it is part of a campaign or just little ole me telling you I love something and I really don’t plan to change that until someone bangs on my door and disconnects my internet for having fun with my blog! I have to go look at my sidebar…I am not sure that i have any ads on it these days but if I do I might think about following your lead and removing those (might take a target off our backs eh?) Thanks for this post, it was informative and fun to read!
I know the rules apply to everyone, but somehow I seriously doubt that the intent was to intimidate homeschool moms who have a link to Currclick in their sidebar. Whatever.
I had no idea about all this..I’m glad I read it. I don’t do any ads, but I just got asked to do a product review with a giveaway and I was so happy! I will probably go ahead since I already agreed to that one, then keep my original thing of no ads, etc. Because I just really don’t want to bother with it! I didn’t start blogging to make money, so why change now?
Gorgeous family photo!
Gorgeous Family Photo! (So gorgeous that each word deserved to start with a capital letter!)
Glad I stopped by here. I didn’t know about all this. I’ll be still doing reviews. I give the books away. I may keep the new Max Lucado book for kids though, it still would not amount to much of a $ amount, if I kept 5 books. Sounds like I just need to have a disclaimer on my blog…??? Plus an accountant!