There’s no such thing as bad PR, damnit.

Posted by Meredith in Advice.

Dear Meredith,

Among other things (for instance, things that pay), I run a popular mommyblog. I get hit with a bunch of products to review practically every day because of it, and it’s totally fun. When there’s something I love, I’ll hype it up and promote it, because it really doesn’t take that much time out of my day, but I I’ll usually be rewarded with more free product. When I don’t like something I’m sent, I just ignore it.

This time, though, I have a problem. For a bunch of complicated and stupid reasons, I’m kind of compelled to review a particular book. Normally, this sort of thing isn’t that big of a deal, but this book is truly dreadful. I hate to say it’s awful, but it’s awful. I’m really not sure what to do with it. I need to say something, but I don’t want to put the bad PR out there for the book or the bad karma for myself either. Suggestions?

Signed,

Mommyblogger and More

Dear Purveyor of Poop Stories,

Ahh, the internet, where all traffic is fundamentally amoral because it’s all monetizable, where the worst possible condition is to be ignored, and even to be loathed is a legitimate and proven business strategy. The internet is also a place where electronic douchebags (known colloquially as “trolls”) wander around giving wet, incoherent raspberries at whatever they can reach with their stubby, sticky fingers. These two forces have combined to create what I consider one of the stranger manifestations of internet culture: the taboo of criticism.

See, the internet would like to make everyone feel special and reinforce your short attention span at the same. If you don’t like something, just move on. Don’t whine about it. Don’t bitch. There’s the rest of the internet you will find pleasing. It doesn’t matter if your criticism is constructive or, god, forbid, justified, it’s just plain impolite to make negative statements about people, places or things. Don’t be a hater, right?

You know this, since you’re concerned about your “karma.” Now once you’re done kindly explaining how you became irrevocably compelled to review a book for free on your own time, do tell me how you’re irrevocably compelled to write a good review for this book, for free, on your own time.

Look, if you have to write it, write it. Since you’ve been compelled to write this review, I can presume you’ve also been compelled to read this horrible book, too. Give an honest review. If you work yourself up into some sort of positive reaction, your readers are either going to think you haven’t read the book, or you’re an idiot. As a blogger, those are much more dangerous possibilities than whatever reaction might come from your review.

Think of it at revenge. Think of it as a posted warning. Think of it as a reminder of why you shouldn’t get yourself in situations where you’re compelled to work for free. Just get over it, take a nice, hot shower, and move on.

Love,

Meredith

Advice |