When you’re inspired to write about something you saw on another blog, do you credit the original blogger for finding it first? I’m sure *everyone* will say yes, but do you really? And is it always necessary to do this?
I really have only started reading other fashion/shopping blogs in the last year or so, and if I do see something I’m interested in featuring on one of my blogs, I will always link back to the blog I found it through. I probably wouldn’t do that if I had seen or found the item/designer before, but if I am being introduced to something or a designer for the first time, I will absolutely give credit to the blogger who found it first; that just makes sense to me.
At the same time, it’s not always possible to know who featured what “first”- although I’m not sure that’s the important piece here, it’s more important in my opinion to simply acknowledge that you didn’t “discover” something if indeed you didn’t. If you did, then more power to you!
(incidentally, I also give credit to another blogger if I’m inspired to write an editorial post or article after reading something she wrote – giving credit doesn’t stop with product features)
With the hundreds of fashion/shopping blogs in my reader, my biggest pet peeve is reading the SAME THING over and over and over again. This happens more often with “news” and launches than with product features, but today, the same independent designer was featured on three different blogs! And since I check my RSS reader every hour, I know who was first…or at least I think I do…
Again, I’m not sure it really matters who was “first,” but I also don’t believe in coincidence. I mean, the designer or her PR firm could have sent out an e-mail blast to said bloggers recently and they all independently decided to write about it AT THE SAME TIME. Which is absolutely fine, but since I personally don’t like to write about the same stuff everyone else is writing about, I don’t usually feature something I’ve received a press pitch about soon after receiving it; I’ll usually wait a few weeks and if I’m still interested, will write about it.
When it comes down to it, no one is policing you to make sure you’re finding your own “stuff” to write about; I just believe in the idea of giving credit where credit is due.
Do you? What are your thoughts on giving bloggers credit?
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{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I think it's important to give link cred to someone who's directly inspired you… unfortunately you have to kind of hope they do the same.
that's absolutely true…
Just starting a blog myself I am constantly inspired. Grechen I have been following Grechen's closet since the beginning. You are a huge inspiration and I will always give credit to the blog or person if necessary
Absolutely think its important to give bloggers credit for discovering something first. I do it all the time because I know I would want the same back. Plus blogging is totally about communication and interactivity with the internet. It's great to start a blog to blog conversation.
I always give credit to sites I have found information. I just hope people do the same with me. I agree with you all the way.
hey Grechen, I'm also very curious about the subject of re-posting, and explored it on my blog recently. I do think it happens unintentionally many times (or I want to believe) because we all are constantly getting the same email blasts from the same PR people. I find myself more often Googling the subject of the pitch first to see who else has posted – if I find any major sources in search results, I will never post, unless I have a very good or unique angle. I hope PR people will help us solve this issue one day by doing a better job targeting and dividing their blogger contacts into smaller groups and niches, and by approaching each with different angles. But of course the core responsibility is ours – if you don't have anything new to add to the story, don't clutter the already cluttered digital space – that's been my point of view. Thanks for bringing up the subject!
such a good post…and yes, i totally agree that you have to give credit. in fact, unless i have something else to add, i'll often just share a link to the original post on twitter or something, rather than write about the same thing someone else found. the only exception is if i've seen it at least two other places in the same day – in which case, i usually figure it was one of those designer-email-blast situations. in those cases, i note in the post that the item/point of interest has been making the rounds in blogland…it's too hard to cite to everyone, and i have no idea who got there first.
just thought i'd add a little about how i handle those trickier credit situations