December 12th, 2011

Bloggers Aren’t Journalists

Hand_on_keyboardWhen news broke last week about the Blogger having to pay out 2.5 million dollars in a lawsuit, you can just imagine the online buzz that ensued.

It stemmed from a case where a federal judge said the Blogger would have to be working for a mainstream media organization in order to qualify for protections given to Journalists. Many Bloggers were outraged at that statement, but should they be?

Here are some personal thoughts (and I promise not to use a lot of legalese.)

Let’s look at the general Merriam-Webster definition of a journalist and journalism:

Journalist
a : a person engaged in journalism; especially : a writer or editor for a news medium b : a writer who aims at a mass audience.

Journalism

1a : the collection and editing of news for presentation through the media b : the public press c : an academic study concerned with the collection and editing of news or the management of a news medium.

2a : writing designed for publication in a newspaper or magazine b : writing characterized by a direct presentation of facts or description of events without an attempt at interpretation c : writing designed to appeal to current popular taste or public interest.

As you can see from these definitions, it leans toward defining a Journalist as one working for a newspaper, magazine or otherwise providing stories that are factual and not personal opinion. Both definitions do have sections that favor Bloggers. Specifically the phrases “popular taste or public interest or “a writer who aims at a mass audience”. Sounds Blogger-like, right? Many would argue, however, that it is in the context of the definition as a whole, which clearly is news and data-source focused. Yet, it does provide food for thought.

While I cannot comment specifically to the actual facts as I have not read the brief or decision in this case, or whether the Judge relied on common dictionary definitions like the one above, I will respond to the general media points. Specifically, the Judge’s decision, which found that there was no evidence that defendant had any journalism education; kept notes of conversations and interviews; created an independent work product rather than assembling writing and postings of others; was affiliated with a recognized news entity; adhered to journalistic standards such as editing and fact-checking; had a mutual understanding or agreement of confidentiality with her sources; or contacted both sides of a story. (Source)

Furthermore, under Oregon law, where all of this went down, in a private defamation suit, the person defamed must prove that a defamer published the allegedly defamatory material negligently in order to receive damages. In other words, did she post false information and as a result, harm a business or person? Since the judge found that she did not fact check, didn’t keep notes, didn’t create independent work or contact different sides of the issue, as a journalist is apparently required to do in that state, she was found to have posted false information (since she did not take those steps) that harmed another.

What does this mean for bloggers generally? I don’t know, since I am sure this is not the last of this case (with appeals and such). Plus, it was very specific to Oregon law and each state has a different set of laws and definitions. So would the outcome have been the same in another state? Maybe. Maybe not. Will the case hold if it gets appealed? I don’t know. What is means is:

1. Bloggers beware: Unless you follow journalistic credentials (are you citing your sources, do you belong to a journalism organization), you are probably not going to be considered a Journalist under most state laws as they currently stand. Why? Because you are a Blogger. That is why we are called Bloggers and why Journalists are called Journalists. We have more freedom in our writing, but that does potentially open us up for more exposure. Honestly, we can’t have it both ways. If you would like to be considered a “Digital Journalist”, rather than a Blogger, your writing style and how you hold yourself out to the public should be different than your average Blogger.

2. Be a Change Agent: Since most state laws don’t recognize Bloggers in various protections afforded to Journalists (i.e. the Shield Law as claimed by the defendant), then you are legally exposed. What should happen, and what many Bloggers should get involved in, is changing our local laws to recognize the growth of social media. Facebook contests, Twitter parties, and blog posts all are shaping the ‘digital journalism’ realm and more people are ‘writing’ then ever before, whether is it just a personal blog with pictures of your kids, to a professional blog with reviews and giveaways, or if you have published an e-book. Lawsuits like these often shape local laws, but local laws themselves can be changed, and we have the opportunity to shape that change. While I personally don’t think we should be afforded the same things as Journalists since, again, we are not Journalists but are Bloggers, I think there should some legal expansion to recognize the changes in the online world.

3. Yes, you have free speech, but only so far: People throw around free speech claims all the time or claim certain ‘authority’ in their ability to do whatever they want online, but you can still be held accountable because there are a variety of laws. In other words, the first amendment or, say, the terms of service with YouTube are not the end-all-be-all to your legal protections. Because really, if it were, would there be so many lawyers in the world? I think not.

4. Protect yourself: This is a very volitle time, legally, in the world of social media, but it doesn’t mean you have to be exposed. Reach out to your local insurance agent and see about purchasing liability insurance. It can range from $200 a year to $1000+ a year, which depends on your blogging exposure, your own personal assets, and what kind of coverage you want. All in all, anyone can sue anybody these days. A liability policy, at a minimum, would cover the cost of a lawyer to defend a claim, whether it is a legitimate claim or not.

All in all, this case is interesting because of the continual changes it (and other cases) will have in the realm of social media. What we do today will shape the online world for our kids and grandkids. Personally, I want to a more active role in shaping it, rather than it shaping me. If you are in social media and want to be in it too, it is going to be a bumpy ride. But as pioneers, it is expected. Buckle up.

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Disclosure: While I am a lawyer, I am not your lawyer. Nor should this post be construed as providing legal advice, legal claims or legal opinions in any form or on any matter. Furthermore, I received no compensation for this post.

Image Credit: sqback via stock.xchng.com

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December 5th, 2011

Valid Reasons Why Mom Bloggers Should Work for Free

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There have been many blog posts this week (MomCrunch and Momfluential to name two) about Mom Bloggers, Mommy Bloggers, Bloggers who are Moms, who blog for free, why that is just a horrible thing, and why we do it.

First, let me be clear that no one should ever use the term Mommy Blogger. Why? Because it is personal. It is like your child calling you by your first name. It is unprofessional and it a personal term used by kids towards their Moms. Added to the fact that you never hear about Daddy Bloggers, just Dad Bloggers, so let’s be consistent shall we?

Second, there is a difference between a Mom Blogger and a Blogger who is a Mom. Mom Bloggers write about Mom stuff. That is the focus of their blog. Then there are Bloggers who write about travel, food, technology and social media. Oh, they happen to be Moms, just like many male bloggers are Dads, but those men are called Tech Bloggers or Food Bloggers, not Dad Bloggers (unless they write about Dad stuff). Again, let’s be fair shall we?

On to my point about the various posts regarding Bloggers working for free. While I agree with the sentiment out there that we should have standards in the Blogging industry about payment for our work, I disagree with the fact that we always need to be paid. Let me share why.

In every other industry, there is a class of individuals called “Interns”. They typically work for free in exchange for experience, exposure, and reputation building in that industry when they start off in that profession. When they get some experience and entry into that market, they start landing paid jobs. When they do well in those paid jobs, they get paid more, etc. Blogging doesn’t have anything formal like interns. What we have are certain bloggers (usually new bloggers) that choose to work on a campaign without payment for experience, exposure and reputation building. As they build their reputation, they get paid. See the parellel?

I think the real issue is not about Bloggers working for free, but rather brands, PR firms and companies not seeing the difference. Many Bloggers have done their time. They have been blogging for years and have built their own brand, experience, exposure and reputation. They should be paid. Then there are newer bloggers like me, that don’t get paid on certain campaigns because I don’t yet have that Blogging reputation. So I choose to participate in those unpaid campaigns, because it can show my ability to review technology products, toys, or hotels. It basically builds my resume. If I do a good job, the brand may recommend me for another paid campaign or the PR person may select me for a paid opportunity going forward.

So the onus is on those PR firms and brands to pay Bloggers that have built their exposure and reputation, whether in a niche or a platform, that would benefit the brand, while realizing that the Bloggers they select for non-paid opportunities now, may not always work for free as those Bloggers build their blogging credentials.

The reality is advertising and marketing departments are going through a change. Some faster than others. The ones that ‘get it’ realize that social media dollars go further than a one time paid ad in a magazine. If you pay 50 Bloggers a sum of $100 to write about a new restaurant, the Bloggers’ posts can be viewed by thousands with tweets, Facebook posts, Instagram photos, and more, expanding the reach that goes beyond the December edition of “ACME Magazine” with your add on page 52 in the upper left corner.

Thus, companies need to allocate a budget for Bloggers and not just for traditional print or radio ads. They also need to realize while they may not pay the interns in their company, they do pay the people they hire (with that person’s past experience benefiting the company). So with regard to Bloggers, there should be a similar philosophy.

All in all, I think many of the recent posts about Bloggers working for free are valid, and I agree with many of the points. This is just a realistic twist on reality in the Blogging community. Rather than demanding payment, we should be educating brands and PR companies instead, and having all these posts about this subject is a huge step forward in that dialogue and that ability to effectuate change to benefit everyone.

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August 16th, 2011

Bloggers and Brands

For some reason, I found myself overhearing a variety of Brand-to-Brand conversations during BlogHer. As I waited for a cab, I heard two Brand representatives chatting with each other about what they thought of Bloggers at BlogHer. At another point, I was on the otherside of an expo booth where I heard two Brand employees chatting about the Bloggers they had met during the two day event.

What were they saying? Let’s just say “Not Flattering” would be the appropriate response. Everything from swag<bleep>, hoochies, and snobbers were the adjectives to describe the group as a whole; whether it be Mom, Tech, Food, or DIY Bloggers.

<Awkward>

Frankly, though, I cannot wholly blame them.

I met those same individuals. The folks that were cutting people off in line so they could get the swag bag. Women who dressed to the nines to drink themselves into a stupor. As I mentioned in a previous post (see links below), I have no problem with that, but the brands that were watching? They do, and they walked away with an unflattering picture based on a variety of conversations I heard directly and indirectly.

However, if I could have, I would have asked the Brand, “Why were you there?”

For example, what would you think of a booth, at a conference geared towards women, that had a couple of guys dressed as stripper-like construction workers giving out chocolate granola bars from well-placed tool belts? Is it good PR or is it stereotypical? What was the point of that strategy? Being nice and just giving free granola bars? Did you want us to tweet about them? Blog about them? Buy them as consumers? Did you achieve that? On the flip side, while I appreciate free stuff, it doesn’t cover the cost of my ticket, room or airline flight. I can get a granola bar, an ice cream bar or a toy without shelling out $1000 for them. What I am there for is a connection. Information. Data I can take home. A contact card for future work. I would think that would be a goal for the Brand too.

However, my take was that most of the BlogHer Brands just wanted to get their product name in the social media space, which is a valid marketing strategy. However, I have two concerns with that. First, it shouldn’t be your only strategy. You should also use it as an opportunity to connect with Bloggers to determine if any may be a good partner in future campaigns or initiative. Second, I didn’t like the manner in which it was asked of me to help with said marketing strategy. For example, the “”tweet to win an entry for X” aspect didn’t appeal to me on most occasions. Especially when the representatives did not know how the winner would be selected or how I would learn of the winner. It often seemed like I needed to jump through hoops with only an option of winning something that I wasn’t sure was legitimate in the first place. Yet, I was expected to engage in their marketing campaign. Be clear and provide that information. Same with video. If you are going to have me sign a form so you can have me on camera, be nice and send me a copy of it or at least a link. I’d like to know where I am “floating around”. It is also a good marketing venue as well, as I probably will share a link to the video in my channels. Duo exposure for you.

There were many Brands that did get it right. HTC, LG, and Sallie Mae, for example, invited select Bloggers to focus groups and insight meetings; using the time to gather information and thanking the Bloggers for their time. Other Brands, like Daisy Cottage Cheese or Hershey had suites where you could sit and engage in a conversation to learn a bit about each other. Other Brands, like Tropicana and Gatorade brought big name celebrities. Granted, Brand budgets vary, but you could see the thought went into the event and engagement with Bloggers.

Overall, Bloggers and Brands need to ask themselves, what is their goal from BlogHer and is it the right venue for those goals. Brands need to ask themselves, what is your overall perception of Bloggers and how does (and did) that shape your sponsor strategy; whether for blogger campaigns, individual sponsorships, or conference sponsorships like BlogHer or Blissdom?

Blog conferences are growing. More and more of them are added to the schedule every year, with sponsorships and money for the taking and giving. It is even more important than ever before to make sure Brands do their homework to determine the right venue and the right group with whom to work. The same is true for Bloggers. Each side only has a set amount of money to spend. We each need to spend it wisely. With due respect too.

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August 1st, 2011

Conference Swag

While this post applies to a variety of conferences, it focuses on the BlogHer Conference. Often known as “SwagHer”, BlogHer can have an amazing frenzy for giveaways and free stuff, and the free stuff can be rather impressive. However, it is important not to be ‘Swagreedy’. While I previously posted about maximizing Brand/Blogger connections, as well as how BlogHer is like a Marathon, here are some tips and advice on how to deal with all the ‘Swagness’.

Bloggers

  1. Don’t go crazy. Seriously. There are legends about knock-outs and knock overs in the pursuit of swag.
  2. Be respectful. Remember to have decency and don’t dismiss it in the pursuit of an iPad2 giveaway.
  3. Remember the Brand and not the booze. Love to hear about all the parties happening at BlogHer, and many of them involve Mojitos and Margaritas. Yet, if you are stumbling drunk or slurring your speech in front of a Brand, they most likely won’t want to work with you. If you are at BlogHer for the booze, then fine, but if you are at BlogHer to make connections, maybe cut out a drink or two. Just sayin’.
  4. Take only one at a time. Or as my Mom would say, “Keep your hand out of the cookie jar”. Your eyes might pop when you see the awesomeness, but try to reign it in. Take only one gift bag or one freebie. Unless the Brand is unloading stuff onto you (wicked awesome), don’t assume you can freeload.
  5. Invite Only. Ugh. I admit it. I hate knowing there is some fabulous party that I was not invited to where the swag is going to be swagnormous. However, I am not going to crash the party and neither should you. Be respectful of the fellow Bloggers or the Brand throwing the party.

 

Brands
  1. Expect more people than you expected. Unfortunately, some people won’t have read Point Number 5 from above so expect party crashers and people taking more than one of anything you have.
  2. Invite all types. I have noticed more of this occurring this year. While the top Bloggers are “top” for a reason, Brands that focus only on these individuals for party invites may be missing out on a very influential blogger or a rising star. Depending on your Brand, a variety of Bloggers may be good for your overall reach.
  3. Don’t have us jump through hoops. While it may be good traffic for you, having Bloggers ask people to vote for them will just make everyone mad. BlogHer is an intensive two day conference where we are there to connect and learn. Not enter a popularity contest for a Kindle. Same issues as tweeting to win. One tweet is great, but contests based on the number of tweets during BlogHer has the same effect as voting. Also having Bloggers like you on Facebook, follow you on Twitter, send out a Tweet, fill out a form, and drop off a business card will not have many of us entering your giveaway. We don’t have the time. Pick one or two options and allow us to move on. We will appreciate you that much more.
  4. Make entering easy. If you do have the ‘Like’ on Facebook option, have computers set up to make it easy and make sure to clear it after each entry (we appreciate the respect for our privacy). If we have to fill out a form, make it super simple too. We are Bloggers after all and not accustomed to using a pen.
  5. Have practical swag. What your brand may think is super cutesy, may be super awful. Brands should periodically head to the Swag Exchange at BlogHer. What do you see in the bins? Is your swag there? What does that mean? Last year, there were a lot of bright orange logo mouse pads and wind-up logo alarm clocks sitting in the Swag Exchange. No one wanted to lug home a huge metal alarm clock with a brand name on it and what bright orange mousepad would work in a home office? Also consider other travel issues: A lot of playdough was confiscated by TSA last year as people flew home from BlogHer.

 

All in all, we should all keep it in check; it is a professional conference in a struggling economy. While it can be fun, it should always be kept in perspective.

 

Charlene is also the Founder of The Social Toast – a website and UStream show about all things in the realm of social media. 

 

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July 31st, 2011

Life is a Special Occasion

The old saying, “Bad things happen to good people” happened on the afternoon of July 5, 2011 on a quite street in one of America’s oldest hometowns.

Melanie of The Coupon Goddess and Melanie in the Middle was hit full force by car as she walked down the street in her neighborhood. After being thrown 15 feet in the air, Melanie suffered severe injuries. Her son witnessed the horrendous event and did not know if his Mom would live.

Melanie has endured emotional and physical agony since the accident. Surgeries and therapies have replaced walks and family dinners with her husband and four children. Yet, while the doctors determined that Melanie will walk again, she cannot stand up for three months and it will take up to a year for her to walk fully again.

Her house is now a construction zone with ramps and lifts and other modifications to enable her to come home to her family, as they continue to assume the reality of mounting medical bills.  Yet, through all this, Melanie held on hope for her trip to BlogHer. As a rising star with her work featured in Money Magazine and her recipes honored by the Pioneer Woman and more, Melanie’s hopes were crushed when doctors informed her that she would not be fit to travel to San Diego for BlogHer.

What Melanie has to keep her strong are the beautiful cards that people send her. Her rehabilitation room looks fun and fresh with the love and well wishes people have sent her, but since her ordeal is long, we hope to keep the cards coming her way.

Since the first official day of the BlogHer conference will mark the one month anniversary of her accident, we wanted to share Melanie’s story with our fellow BlogHer attendees with the humble request that they would consider sending her a Hallmark card from BlogHer.

Hallmark, a super fabulous BlogHer sponsor, will have a Card Corner at their Expo Booth (#307) where you can choose from a variety of Postage Paid cards (as well have fun with other Hallmark awesomeness). So, if you aren’t sure who to send a card to, we hope you’ll consider sending one to Melanie or to any other Blogger that cannot make BlogHer this year because of an accident or illness.

Melanie is someone who is always giving back, whether it’s sending care packages to the troops or donating items for her local food pantry. While she would love getting cards, she would love it if another Blogger who couldn’t make it to BlogHer this year because of a challenge they are facing get a card too. So please share their information in the comments below and perhaps they will get a card too! (Please be sure to confirm that the Blogger you mention is comfortable sharing their plight, and address, publicly!)

As Hallmark continues their new campaign at BlogHer called “Life is a Special Occasion”, we cannot help but note that Melanie’s survival, as well as those of other injured and ill Bloggers, truly is a “Special Occasion”.

♥

Melanie Feehan
PO Box 135
Manomet, MA 02345

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Image Credit: TheCouponGoddess.com

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July 25th, 2011

BlogHer Sponsors

How Brands and Bloggers can work together at Blogging Conferences

The Expo Booth

For anyone going to BlogHer this year, there are great posts about what to expect, what to wear and what to do. This post contains none of that.

I am unfashionable, don’t get invited to private parties, and I wander around in awe at the sheer size of the conference space. So I wouldn’t follow me to a particular spot, unless you are up for walking in circles.

The point of the post is about the sponsors at the expo. They are numerious at BlogHer. The vast expo hall will blow your mind when you enter it, and the number of brand representatives that value your time and input is even greater.

While the sponsors significantly cover the cost of the conference pass, as well as the food, they are not doing it out of goodwill. (Though it is good.) They are doing it because they want to be there and connect with a large audience of fantastic Bloggers. A brilliant marketing strategy that many companies are catching onto.

You’ll find most of the BlogHer sponsors are promoting a new product, a new launch, or a new brand. They do so at BlogHer because there is measurable ROI (Return on Investment). The number of sponsors appears to grow every year because the connections Brands make with Bloggers attending BlogHer spreads to the social media channels rapidly, and numerously, in the weeks and months following BlogHer.

Yet, there are some tips, for Brands and Bloggers alike, to maximize and enhance the rapid fire relationship formed in the conference booths, which can extend beyond the conference.

Bloggers:

  • Have GOOD business cards. At a minimum, the card should have your name, blog name, blog url, twitter handle, email address and what the blog is about. Bonus for additional contact information and a headshot on your card. This way the brand can actually know who you are, what you do and how to contact you. I’m still amazed many people don’t have this vital information on their blogging business cards.
  • Drop your business card. There are going to be a lot of people, but at least leaving your business card at a booth will show the Brand that you are interested and they have the opportunity to follow up with you after BlogHer if they have your business card, (see point number one).
  • Engage in the person and not the swag. Trust me, I get it. I am always wondering what free product I can walk away with to review or giveaway, but try to not look ‘swagreedy’ and chat with the rep. Ask them why there are there and what you can do to help.
  • Be respectful of time and space. Be respectful of the brand representative’s time, as they do want to meet many Bloggers just as you want to meet with many brands. On a side note, if you are chatting with your best new Blogger buddy, try to have conversations outside and away from the booth so that there is space for other Bloggers to enter.
  • Balance social media with socialization. I love to tweet and post in my social media channels about what I am doing, what is going on, who I am meeting, and what I have learned throughout the conference. Yet, the other benefit of BlogHer is meeting people – be it Bloggers or Brands. So put down the smartphone on occasion and look around. There is cool stuff to see.
Brands
  • Don’t judge. There are some big name Bloggers at BlogHer, and there are Blogger newbies. Each are valuable as part of your marketing and social media strategy. Trust me, I will remember if you snub me in favor of a big name. While I may respect them too, I won’t respect you as a consumer or as a Blogger. As we have seen, negative publicity can be a lot worse.
  • Send the right people. I remember meeting a diaper company at a conference. They had college interns representing the brand and they had no idea what parents face. They may be social media rising stars, but no one wanted to talk to them because of the perception that they could not know anything about real life use of diapers. It also felt like the brand did not value Bloggers.
  • Have good giveaways. BlogHer is not about pens, but you don’t have to be handing out $100 gift cards either. One company had large, nice quality bags with their logo on it. Everyone wanted one (big bag to carry around all of the swag) and the company got on-the-floor advertising. Another brand had blinking rings (definitely noticeable) and, of course, everyone wanted one so there was great traffic at the booth.
  • Followup and Followback. If I am tweeting about you during the conference, follow me back. Obviously, I’m a fan you should engage. Also followup up after the conference with me if I left you my business card. I may be a key blogger in your upcoming campaign. It also establishes a better connection that could even influence my role as a consumer and not just as a Blogger.

All in all, have a fun. Enjoy the people you meet and remember that, whether you are a Blogger or Brand, be professional; it reflects on all of us outside of the Blogosphere.

{Stay tuned for the next post for BlogHer Bloggers and Brands about the Do’s & Don’ts of Swag}

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Charlene is also the Founder of The Social Toast – a website and UStream show about all things in the realm of social media. 

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May 15th, 2011

GE Momsperience

And it begins

As I write this post, I am off to the GE Momsperience. As my recent video shows, my favorite household appliance is a GE Microwave, but I am looking forward to getting an insight into a unique component of the GE brand.

One of GE’s ventures is, of course, appliances, but it has a select appliance line called “Monogram”. From what I know, it is the luxury side of their appliance offerings.

Ironically, I learned about Monogram appliances mere weeks before today, when my husband and I were house hunting. We walked into a property being built and boxes of to-be installed GE Monogram appliances were on the floor. The realtor mentioned the appliances as being top-of-the-line, and sure enough, it is.

So fast-forward, I’m flying to the GE Monogram headquarters where contractors, realtors and others gather to learn about the brand.  It is a unique concept to me that there is a whole showcase devoted to a product line.  Tons of questions pop into my head like, “What is the benefit to having the center?” “What is it about the appliance line that warrants the focus?” and “How does the Monogram line differ from others”.

My innate curiosity has me excited to see what is in store, especially as it relates to social media. This event will also expose me to Kentucky, a place I have never visited before, as well as a unique boutique hotel called 21c, which is touted as part hotel and part museum.

So stay tuned for my GE chronicles this week. It is sure to be amazing at every turn.

 

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May 10th, 2011

Top 5 Legal Tips

Many conferences have tracks for the four areas of blogging: business, technical, social and emotional. Yet, legal concepts impact all of them. Conferences like Bloggy Boot Camp understand that legal issues are part of the whole blogger business picture, but if you weren’t at the Boston event or need a quick recap of our Legal presentation, here are 5 quick legal takeaways for your blog.

1. Images: The next time you work with a brand, ask them upfront to provide an appropriate image. If you are a brand, include the image with your blogger pitch or contract. Then state in your blog post, “Image used with permission from ABC brand“. Then save the permission in a file for a legal paper trail.

2. Tweets: Next time you tweet or retweet, think about what you are saying in the tweet. Some companies are taking issue with the content of some tweets saying it hurts their brand image and are pursing legal action as a result. The legal rulings are still uncertain, but you don’t want to be the one the judge decides to make an example of in the social media world.

3. Contracts: Brands and bloggers should both take note of this point. If a blogger works for a brand to write a post or a series of posts for some sort of renumeration, and a contract is involved, the blogger should not have to (nor should the contract state) that the blogger’s entire blog be subject to the oversight of the brand. It should just be the content the blogger is producing for the campaign.

4. Prepare: Find a social media savvy lawyer now, before you need one. It is like going into labor and then doing research on what hospital you want to go to, where it is, what doctors work there. Talk to friends now, follow lawyers on twitter now, and read their bios to see if they have Facebook pages and Twitter accounts and use words like ‘digital millennium copyright act’. Then when you need one, you can quickly make the call. Literally.

5. Disclosure: While most know FTC rules require compensation disclosure, what that means for bloggers is disclosure language within or above/below your post. If a brand sends you language, it is best to use what they provide you. However, if none is provided, simple language like, “I received $50 from ABC Company for writing this post” works well too. My suggestion would be to also provide language when you don’t get compensation, for two reasons. 1. So you get used to always having a disclosure statement on every post and 2. It lets your reader know that you are being upfront, on all fronts, when you write a post about a company or product. (I’m going to start doing this myself.)

There are great attorneys out there that write on these subjects. If you are interested in reading more about copyright, contracts and more as it relates to blogging, one legal blog I highly recommend is Sara from Saving For Someday. Yet, all in all, I hope more conference organizers add more legal speakers and legal-related panels going forward. That way be can all be legally savvy, and not legally scared.

Disclosure: I’m an attorney, but I’m not your attorney. The information provided in this post is not legal advice and should not be construed as such. Your reading this post or visiting this website does not create an attorney/client relationship. I am providing the above for informational purposes only.

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April 27th, 2011

GE Momsperience

Back in January, I stopped by the GE Booth at a Blogging conference called Blissdom. I was drawn to this shiny and beautiful GE washer and dryer in all its glory.

Since mine look like this…

 

you can see why I was drawn to them.

I chatted with the representatives and learned that this laundry set was like a drying and washing nirvana. It had special settings for getting poop out of baby clothes, the stinkiness out of pet beds, automatic detergent loading options and more. We ended up chatting about kids, laundry, dogs and social media. (As strange as it sounds, it does all go together.)

As I left the booth, I made a vow to go home and start kicking the crap out of my current washer and dryer so I could say, “Oh honey, the washer is broken. I think we have to go buy a new one.”

<Sigh> Despite my frantic kicking over the past three months, I still have the old washer and dryer.

But one morning (cue angel music) I got an email from GE that ‘turned my frown upside down’. They remembered me and they wanted me to visit them in Kentucky. They wanted to continue the conversation about social media and laundry (again, not as weird as it may sound) with a small group of bloggers for a fun learning, sharing and cooking (geez louise, I hope I don’t burn the place down) experience at the GE Monogram Experience Center in Kentucky. Otherwise known as the “GE Momsperience!”

We are going to chat about the “Biggest Challenges in the Kitchen?” (mine would be actually having to cook) and “Entertaining Made Simple,” as well as other topics. There are other fun events planned too! I am really looking forward to going (even cancelled my attendance at another conference – sorry guys!), and sharing the experience with you. Not sure what to expect, but it should be fun all around.

But before I go, what is your biggest household challenge? I would love to be able to share your thoughts and comments with GE. They are listening. (Hmm, that is not supposed to be as creepy as it sounds.)

And to blow your minds, if you already follow me on Facebook or Twitter, just leave a comment, or start following me on Twitter and Facebook (and come back to post a comment with proof that you did) and one of you will be selected to attend the same event. Yup. GE will cover your airfare (or mileage reimbursement if you drive), hotel, and your meals/ground transportation in Louisville. How awesome is that. You must do one (or all three) no later than 11:59pm EDT on Saturday, April 30th and be able to attend the trip from Sunday, May 15 through Tuesday, May 17th.

Let’s have some fun!

Congrats to Christy!! and much bloggy love to everyone who entered. Truly wish all of you could come with me. <sniff>

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Image Credit: GE.com and my own image.

 

CategoryParenting Ideas and Advice | Comment25 Comments »

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March 23rd, 2011

Spring and Summer Fashion Trends

For Beauty and Fashion Week here at CharleneChronicles, we have talked about beauty. Specifically, skin care and makeup routines. Now let’s talk fashion. What are the trends for spring? And how can we fit it into our wardrobe without breaking the bank?

I am a huge fan of Marshalls and T.J. Maxx, even since I was a kid. However, let’s just say that in high school, in the 80s, that was not the place to be seen. Fast forward 20+ years, and it is the place to get luxe labels, trendy tees, designer denim, hot handbags, sweet shoes and more. However, most people (I admit, even me a tiny bit) wondered if those tees, labels, denim and shoes may have been past season. As a result, I was invited to their spring launch where media and bloggers got to see some of the spring fashion trends, talk to representatives from Marshalls and TJMaxx, as well as nosh on some nibbles (bonus!).

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I spent over an hour chatting with some great representatives from both Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. In the various conversations, many myths I had about these two companies were dispelled. Here are some of the insights I learned:

1. Marshalls and T.J. Maxx don’t carry the same merchandise. No two stores are ever the same — not even two T.J. Maxx stores. That’s what makes off-price shopping so much fun, and why so many customers shop both stores.

2. Marshalls and T.J. Maxx aren’t discount stores. They are off-price retailers who use their buying power to get great value on brand-name merchandise and pass those savings on to us. Less than five percent of the merchandise has unnoticeable irregularities and if irregular, it is clearly noted on the price tag.

3. Marshalls and T.J. Maxx is in-trend and in-season. They have their own company distribution centers so they can move merchandise through to the stores super fast. That way, they offer a continual flow of fresh merchandise; each store receives three to four shipments weekly, totaling more than 10,000 new items each week! So it is just a myth that the current Marshalls and T.J. Maxx just has leftover merchandise that department stores don’t want. Less than 15 percent of merchandise is non-trend driven or past season, and these items are clearly marked as “past-season” on the price tag.

4. Marshalls and T.J. Maxx also has merchandise that isn’t in department or specialty stores. That’s because off-price buyers travel the world to offer “treasures”, including gorgeous leather footwear from Italy; luxurious soaps from France; and fine crystal from Germany.

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After I got the insight into the companies, it was time to talk fashion. I admit I am not a fashion guru by a long shot, so it was great to get the experts to share the latest looks. So, now that we all have an idea of wear to shop on a budget, let’s get fashionable. This is what you need to remember when hitting the stores this spring and summer: natural, nautical, floral, tribal and colorful. Easy to remember, right?

 

Au Natural

• Utility shirts and non-denim bottoms like chinos, cargo shorts and pants, and convertible pants

• Tan, beige, green and grey trench coats in a variety of materials and cuts

• Pocket details and roll tabs on tops and bottoms

• Brightly colored accessories like necklaces and belts

• Subtle animal prints and large, saturated floral patterns

• Sky-high wedges with strap embellishments

 

 

Great American Sportswear

• Polished separates like casually-tailored jackets and seersucker skirts

• Nautical and novelty stripes on tops and bottoms

• Linen suits and dresses

• Skirts of all kinds: long pencil, A-line or flirty and swingy

• Denim trousers and blazers

• Pumps in suede and leather, and boat shoes in all colors

 

 

Feminine and Floral

• Watercolor floral prints in rich jewel tones or softer cosmetic shades

• Layered knit cardigans in a variety of styles: shrugs, cascades, tissue, or drape.

• Tiered tops and skirts in silky, flowing fabrics

• Dresses, shirts and blouses with lace, ruffles, embroidery, eyelet and crochet accents

• Necklaces with bows and matte sequins and handbags with botanical prints

• Strappy neutral or metallic sandals with soft rosettes

 

 

White with Black and Color

• The “little white dress,” a seasonal update to the classic little black dress

• White pants or capris paired with colorful tunics

• White or black tailored jackets over primary colored knit tops

• Black and white patterned dresses and high-waisted skirts

• Pearl accents in jewelry and footwear

 

 

 

Tribal Inspiration

• All-over prints on everything from tops and tunics to handbags and bracelets

• Loose-fitting dresses and tops cinched with leather belts

• Peasant blouses with artisan touches like beading and embroidery

• Different patterns on tops and bottoms for a wild, mismatched look

• Uneven or fringed hemlines on skirts and dresses

• Gladiator sandals with stones and animal print accents

 

 

Color Infusion

• Crisp sportswear like blazers and button-downs in rich jewel tones

• Tops and bottoms in different shades with a solid or multicolored belt

• Contrasting trims around necklines and sleeves

• Asymmetrical, brightly-colored skirts, dresses and tops to add interest to simple garments

• Bold-hued fabrics with beautiful draping and sheen like silk and satin

• Espadrilles or strappy leather heels in neutrals

 

The segments above are inspiring, but what pieces should you be on the lookout to spice up your spring/summer wardrobe? Here is the low-down on what you should have in your closet this spring and summer for all of the Mommy life-adventures.

 

A Dress - Dresses continue to be popular, especially for the spring and summer temperatures.

Date Night: A little white dress with laser cut or lace accents paired with either bright or black accessories.

Playgroup: A solid colored maxi dress cinched at the waist with a color blocked belt in bright colors like teal and purple.

Working-Mom: A crochet dress in a saturated spice color, accessorized with tribal printed bangles and a leather and crochet clutch.

 

Versatile Tops - From tank tops to tunics, you can find one to fit the Mommy lifestyle, even if you are currently breastfeeding or chasing after a toddler (think bending over to pick the sippy cup off the floor and trying not to show the boobies).

Date Night: Silk tops with cut-outs, one shoulder and asymmetrical hemlines add interest to flowing pants in neutral hues.

Playgroup: A military-inspired shirt or vest with pocket detail and roll tabs paired with a feminine skirt or shorts.

Working-Mom:  Knit tops in blush tones with ruffle and lace detail.

 

Wide-Leg Denim - After so many seasons of the skinny fit, wide-leg denim is making a comeback. (My post-baby thighs and hips are so grateful for this fashion change!)

Date Night: Palazzo pants and tribal-printed halter top with strappy heels and lots of jewelry.

Playgroup: A pair of flared denim with a printed tee, belted military-style anorak and ‘flatform’ shoes – platforms without the wedge incline.

Working-Mom: Denim trousers with a cropped white sailor jacket and red wedge heels. Or a higher-waisted pair of jeans, striped top and a tucked-in oxford. Accessorize with a skinny belt and open-toe heels.

 

Long Full Skirt - Longer skirts are the newest must-have hemline. You can look stylish even sitting on the floor in playgroup.

Date Night: Figure-flattering pencil skirts at just below, or just above the knee look fabulous belted with a feminine floral top.

Playgroup: African-influenced patterns, clashing stripes and paintbrush strokes on mid-length and maxi skirts can be mixed with unexpected patterns on top.

Working-Mom: A nude/beige pleated skirt that falls just below the knees with sheer layers on top and lace and ruffle details.

 

Updated Accessories - From neon to bright white to stripes and prints galore, here are some of the must-have accessories to amp up the neutral palette and balance out the wilder print combinations of the season, no matter where you are going: 1. Stacks of big and bold bangles in combinations of different materials like wood, metal and plastic in bright colors or animal prints. 2. Tribal earrings, necklaces with beading and belts with geometric closures add an exotic influence. 3. 70s-inspired sunglasses, from aviators to oversize lenses, are hot in both bright colors and tortoise shell frames. 4. Handbags in leather or vinyl with laser cuts come in printed or solid fabric, nylon and straw materials. Structured styles complement the popular geometric shapes on clothing. 5. Shoes with details like bows or flowers. 6. Gladiator inspired shoes are still hot as well. 7. Light scarfs and hats are also a fashionable spring and summer accessory.

Congrats to Beth! Stay tuned for more fun giveaways everyone!

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So it is time to get shopping. To help you out, I am giving away a $25 gift card to Marshalls/T.J. Maxx, plus two surprise accessories to spice up your look. To enter, just leave a comment below about your favorite fashion trend.

Rules: (Gotta have them)

Leave a comment about this post. One comment permitted per person; US entrants welcome. Include your name and email in the appropriate fields so I can contact you if you win.* (Including just first name or first name + last initial is OK!). Anonymous or SPAM-like comments will be discarded. Entry period closes at 11:59PM EST, Wednesday, March 30, 2011.

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*One lucky winner (drawn randomly via Random.org) will receive the $25 gift card and two accessories. The winner will be notified directly via e-mail, then listed back at this post using first name only.

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Disclosure: I received a $25 gift card myself for attending the media event. Can’t wait to go shopping myself!

Image Credits: Marshalls and T.J. Maxx

 

CategoryStyle | Comment4 Comments »

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