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Quote:But the underlying issue to me is this idea that social media mechanisms like blogs are somehow sacrosanct, hallowed ground. That there is no room for commercialism within the walls of the Almighty Conversation. That the only use for these tools in within the confines of personal expression, removed from a capitalistic context. That simply isn’t the case. Blogs are tools, and not those that only serve a singular purpose.

Social Media in Business

If we’re continue to argue that social media is viable within a business framework, there’s no way to keep the peas from touching the mashed potatoes.You’re in business to make money. Ultimately, your use of social media channels is intended to forge stronger relationships with customers in support of the long term goal of driving business success (read: money). It’s that simple...

Quote:Brogan clearly disclosed that the Kmart post was paid for. The post had positive and negative remarks about shopping at Kmart. "They didn't ask me to write anything specific," Brogan says. "I'm sure Kmart didn't like that I wrote I wouldn't wear any of the clothes in their store."

We got a second opinion from Robert Scoble, another blogger. Scoble is renowned for his vast connections online [more than 44,000 people follow his remarks on Twitter]. "On one level I don't mind pay per post, because as long as you're disclosing, your readers will know you're selling out your editorial like an advertorial," he says.

Seagate sponsors Scoble's "ScobleizerTV" tech-product review videocasts. At the same time, Scoble turned down an offer to write about Sears for a $500 gift card. "Put yourself in the readers' shoes," Scoble says. "Does talking about this seem strange or introduce them to something you wouldn't have otherwise?" The real issue for bloggers, he says, is that they may take too little cash today. That erodes their credibility, hurting real business opportunities in the future, he notes...