I received a comment this morning that warrants a response in a post…
I have been reading your blog for a few months although I have looked forward to reading new ideas and such , lately I just feel your just trying to sell stuff. Are you here to help us stuggling with weight loss or is this a weight loss business in disguise?
My response…
Hi Liz – I’m glad you brought this up. As you may know by reading the blog regularly this is my full time job. So yes, I do try to make money with it although it is not my primary goal. If you read my about page I mention how I make money with the blog. I’ve never kept it a secret.
In the last week I mentioned MY t-shirts that, yes I am trying to sell them. They are products/designs that was inspired by my blog, my content and my son (who has been the inspiration for everything I’ve done.)
In the video you commented on I was asked (an no I didn’t make up the question) about vitatops. So I used the opportunity to mention the discount code I have with them.
In over 34 videos I have never tried to sell anything before. I’ve turned down countless ads from crap companies that want to use my blog to sell their products. I refuse to use pop-up ads. I refuse to use context ads (the kind where they highlight words in the posts.) I will never compromise my content, my thoughts and my beliefs for a dollar. This is also one of the reason I will not become a Weight Watchers leader. I don’t want to be forced to peddle their crap products.
My original goals for this blog has never changed and I never made that a secret either…
- To help ME lose/maintain my weight loss
- To share my experience/thoughts/insights to help others on their journey
In 3 years this blog (along with GreenLiteBites & BlogToLose) has turned into a business. I quit my full faculty position to make less money blogging because I love every minute of it. I love sharing my life and connecting with others. I love getting emails from people all over the world that say I helped them reach their goal. That I make a difference in their life. Honestly, it brings tears to my eyes every time I read thank you emails.
So no, my blog is not "a weight loss business in disguise", it is a business. And I don’t think there is any shame in that. I spend countless hours working on all my sites. It’s still just me, a girl, trying to maintain her loss, be the best she can be and carve her place on the planet. I have no employees, no help. I do it all. The programming, the design, the graphics, the writing, the ideas, the cooking, the video recording, the video editing, calculations for nutritional information, the accounting, EVERYTHING. I have never asked for a donation, a membership fee, I don’t even make you sign up to leave a comment. The only way for me to make any sort of compensation is through ads (and recently my t-shirts) and even then I’m selective as to how ads are placed.
Thank you again, Liz for the question and I hope this clarifies the situation for you. It’s 2 days before Christmas and I have some work to do before taking a few days off (something I rarely do now that I’m a blogger).
I welcome others opinions on the blog/making money conundrum. And if there are others pro-bloggers out their please chime in. As some of you may know blogging for a living is surprisingly a lonely gig as you make all these type of decisions alone.
As an attempt at a joke… I present to you my traditional end of post google ad… Click it and I make a whopping 2 cents! WHOO HOO! :~P
73 Responses to A Weight Loss Business in Disguise?
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About Roni
Roni started this blog in '05 to journal her weight loss. 70lbs later, she's committed to living a conscious, healthy life and hopes to inspire others along the way. Read more on the about page.
Girl I love your site!!! I for one don’t even think about the add’s. If something catches my eye I click on it…otherwise for me they’re just more decoration :)
Keep it up you are truly an inspiration :)
You go Roni!
I truly love your site and anticipate your daily entries.
You have inspired, helped, counseled, and cheered
on the masses.
I hope that you realize all the “GOOD” you do!
For all that you do, I am eternally grateful.
Rock on Sister!!!
I have been reading your blogs for, gosh, a year now or so….and it has never occurred to me to even recognize your “peddling” as an attempt to run a business under the guise of a weight loss blog. I don’t feel like you are trying to sell us stuff, well, ME anyway. I think that there have only been two things that you have mentioned in regard to “selling” anything….and those are the tshirts which are new and a great idea…the other is the coupon code for vitamuffin stuff….and how is that selling us stuff? if we are going to buy some then why not save a little? anyway, i think you are doing great and am really greatful that you are willing to be a full time blogger!!
oooh! the ad at the end of this post is selling a “sardine diet” to me. that sounds pretty good… or could it be my 5-month pregnant belly telling me that? anywho, happy holidays!
Commerce is life. We all make money, we all spend money. And as much as we like to judge others on how they make and spend their money, the fact remains: we all do it in one form or another.
It’s a bit unfair for us to collectively demand 24/7 diet support from her and then insist that she never earn a penny from it.
I don’t expect Roni to spend ten or more hours a day working (and yes, it’s working) on this endeavor and just do it for fun. Unless she wins the lottery or comes into a ginormous inheritance, my guess is she still has bills to pay. So if she wants to talk about a weekend of uncontrolled eating one post and then show me new T-shirts for sale the next, I’m perfectly okay with that.
I rarely ever comment, but I have to say that I LOVE that you always address these snarky comments that people make. I have been reading for a pretty long time now and you always stand up for yourself and I totally dig that about you. I think sometimes because it’s the internet, people say things that are just rude. It’s one thing to think it, but to go leave a comment about it, seriously? You are not forcing her to read your site and if she finds she no longer relates then she should shut up and go do something else. I feel like as your blog has grown and ads have shown up, I’m almost proud of you because it means advertisers think your site gets enough traffic to warrant an ad – pretty cool to me. Just for that, I’ll click 100 times – there’s $2.00! You go Roni!
I love what you do, and I don’t expect you to do it for free! I don’t feel like the sites are ‘commercialized’ at all. I am always on the lookout for women/husbands/toddlers wearing your shirts! Hey you never know!
Great response Roni! Some people have no idea how much time and effort it takes to do what you do!
Hope you have a great day!
Isn’t it horrible how one negative comment can really get to you? So many of us love what you do and tell you so. Thank you for all you do.
With so much great information, you deserve to make some money. Keep it up, and I Hope you become a millionaire blogger!!!! It will inspire all bloggers out there.
Roni,
I absolutely feel for you and agree with what you say. It is almost as if you took the words right from my mouth. I also chose to leave my full-time corporate job, to pursue my passion in blogging and spreading the wisdom that I have learned (and am still learning!) along my own path to wellness. As Charlie mentioned above, we all have to earn a living, and I would much rather be doing it spending my time sharing information, products, etc that I feel have been valuable to me. I too chose to talk about only the products that I have found value in, while ignoring the countless emails and such, with offers to “make a quick buck.”
I think it is evident to most when a blogger has genuine intentions, versus a blogger who is just out to sell stuff. I personally think your blog is fantastic, and any ads or items for sale are done tastefully. If a reader is interested, they can pursue, if a reader is not interested…they can read on. There is no pressure to buy.
I love that you took this as an opportunity to address the issue, and bring light to it. Keep up the great work.
Sheila
http://livewell360.com
Just for the record I’m a WW leader and I’ve never been forced to sell the product – thankfully because I love the program and LOVE being a leader (lost 65 lbs. kept it off for 2 1/2 years) but am not impressed with the products nutritional value. I was worried about it at first but I’ve had no discussions about my low sales in the 2 1/2 years I’ve worked for WW.
Roni – I can’t even tell you how much you have been an inspiration to me! You have totally changed my attitude about myself, my body and how I view food. I have learned so much from your sites. I am so glad that you don’t take these comments to heart. You have a world of faithful readers :o)
I appreciate this post, Roni. However, never once have I thought “Ugh, Roni’s shoving another product down my throat.” To be perfectly honest, I look forward to this site everyday simply because it inspires to me to be the healthiest woman I can be. For those of us that truly, honestly get value out of this blog, there is no reason why we shouldn’t help you with your income by buying a product or something. Heck, if I paid you what a decent weight loss coach/personal trainer/psychiatrist would make, I would owe you $100K by now. Keep rocking it, girlfriend!
This is ridiculous…anyone who has been reading this blog for a long time knows who you really are and how down to earth and hard working you are. Does anyone criticise this woman’s career choice? Who are we to question yours whn you are helping other people, doing something you love and supporting yourself. This doesnt even justify a reply on your part. For shame. Keep Rockin’, Roni, we love you and Merry Christmas to you!!!
Oh, and one more thing…for the original poster….JEALOUS MUCH??????????
I have been reading blogs (online journals) for at least 10 years now and have always loved it. Honestly, though, I’ve become increasingly turned off by some professional blogs lately and have gone back to reading just the ones I’ve been reading for years. It’s not just about the selling of stuff … it’s about the endless promotion of stuff. And sometimes it’s about the distinct impression I get that I’m nothing but a means to a paycheck. Which, hey … that’s what life is about, right? The thing is, I expect that when I walk in a mall. I don’t expect that when I read blogs. I think I’m just growing increasingly cynical because I have a hard time deciphering an honest opinion from a sales pitch.
I’m talking in general here and am NOT meaning to infer that I don’t enjoy reading your site, Roni. I do. Yours is one of the few professional blogs that I truly enjoy and I hope you have great success with it. Your honesty is what I appreciate … that, and the fact that you actually try to connect with your readers. I don’t get the impression that the number of comments you receive is some sort of holy grail that you’ll do anything to achieve. You seem to understand that there are real people out there, not just site traffic, and you acknowledge that. I know that stuff is important, but damn. I have so many minutes in a day. Do I choose to read a blog who is written by someone who tries to connect with their audience, or do I read a blog written by someone who is obviously doing nothing but trying to increase traffic?
I’m obviously more opinionated about this than I thought! I spend a lot of time reading blogs and I have been doing it for a long time. I’ve seen the progression from personal online journal to professional paid bloggers and I think it boils down to this: I appreciate honesty. I don’t appreciate being told that something is the best product to ever be invented while NOT being told that a company paid for that opinion.
Blogging seems to be increasingly about product and ad placement and less about writing, community and sharing and I’m a little sad about that.
I read often but do not comment very often. That being said. I think it is great that you are able to do what you love full time. Most wealthy happy people started out by just doing what they love. If we don’t have passion for what we do, then it is just a bunch of crap. I hope your are able to make money blogging so that you can continue to devote as much time as you do to it.
As for the poster, just like anything else, if you don’t like it. Read something else. No one is forcing us to read Roni’s site.
Rebecca
I think the original poster had a fair question and that you have provided a thoughtful and candid response. What I have always loved about this blog is that it encourages dialogue…a two way connection between you and your readers and through that we all learn a little more about each other and our different perspectives on every day issues. Thanks for being so candid and welcoming that dialogue. It provides a balanced perspective that is often absent from blogs. Keep it up!
I love your sites, Roni. While I don’t always agree 100% with everything (I think vitatops are nasty, lol) I take what I like and leave the rest, ya know? Just like a one-size-fits-all t-shirt, some of us have to put our arms in it and stretch it out in places while others need to wash it in hot and put it in the dryer….your blog will fit everyone differently. I appreciate all the hard work that goes into your business/life and I thank my lucky stars every day that I stumbled upon you because you truly have made a HUGE impact, a very GREAT difference in my life. I couldn’t thank you enough. Keep up the fabulous work….it is much appreciated.
As I read this blog, I realize that is Roni’s opinion on her site…..and that is where this all leads back to. I just don’t understand in this blogging day and age why people just can’t leave a blog if they don’t agree with what is going on there. Roni gets too many rude comments about things like this one with selling things……if you don’t like it, Liz, find another blog to read instead of leaving rude comments that are not constructive.
Oh and thank you Lanette! That line hooked me, too. I have never been forced at all to peddle the products for WW while working for them.
Keep up the work Roni, as I understand it is work and is not always easy when you get these comments! I respect you and think you are doing what you can to make the journey easier for others! ;)
Great response Roni – you are always so positive and diplomatic! I have been reading your blog since July – I love it!
Thanks Roni for courageously and honestly addressing the comment. Personally, it would never even occur to me that you were trying to sell me anything – I mean if I want something I’ll buy it and if not, I won’t – right?! I consider you to be a source of information (and inspiration) – keep on, keepin’ on!
Thank you GUYS! It warms my heart to know you get it! I really do try to make a connection with my readers. THAT’s why I LOVE to blog! If I didn’t I wouldn’t do what I’m doing!
Also know that I read EVERY comment but it’s becoming impossible for me to answer each one. I think/hope most of you understand that.
It’s getting harder and harder and sometimes I just have to purge my inbox as I can’t respond to each one.
I also do try to be diplomatic, stand my ground and stay open to others perspectives. That’s just who I am.
Ok, I’m off editing a video! :)
Oh! and thanks Lanette I thought it was a requirement to try to sell I didn’t realize it was just a commission thing.
Maybe you can clarify for me as I thought I would also not be aloud to run my sites if I was a leader as well. The whole you can’t advise outside of Weight Watchers thing.
I really would LOVE to be a leader. :)
Thanks responding in such a positive way. I’ve been reading your blog for a couple months now, and I tell EVERYONE about it! I have found so many ideas and inspiration from you! Keep up the invaluable work!!
WE LOVE RONI!!!
WELL SAID, RONI! I love to read your blog! You are very generous with your valuable time to give us helpful tips, new foods, different ways to cook something, motivation, etc. I really appreciate everything you do for us. Heck, I hadn’t noticed that you sold that much stuff! I’d like to see you on television some day, Roni! Happy holidays to you and your family! Smooches!
Just wanted to chime in that anything you make from this site is well-earned! Thank you for all you do. And I clicked on your ad…Merry Christmas. ;-)
Roni, I think it’s pretty clear that you are not trying to “sell” us anything—this is an amazing, supportive space!
This is how I see it:
As a reader do you visit this site regularly? do you get a ton of recipes, advice, ideas? Do you enjoy yourself when you read this blog and/or watch the videos? The answer to all of these is YES!!
And finally, do you pay a cent for any of it?? NO!!!
Well, Roni HAS to make a living SOMEWHERE!!
So read the blog, write down the recipes that apply to your life, take the advice or ideas you want to, and enjoy yourself while you are here! If you want to click on the ads, do so. If not, don’t. Either way, sit down, shut up, and enjoy the ride! If at any point you no longer want to read, do us all a favor and move on!!
happy holidays ya’ll!!
Hey Roni,
I’ve been asked the same question in the past (not for my blog, but for my website because I sell my cookbooks there). Even though I’ve since gotten a full time job outside of the house, and I don’t put as much time into my website, people don’t understand that we pay to maintain these sites with our own money and that it isn’t cheap, not to mention the amount of hours that go into all of it. I’ve also turned down advertisers over the years. Sure, I could use the extra money to help pay for the site, but I won’t advertise something I don’t personally use or believe in. I think if you want to place advertisements on your site, or sell t-shirts, then go for it. It doesn’t take away from the service you are providing to others.
When I first saw that you are selling t-shirts now, I had 2 thoughts… 1)Roni has ARRIVED!!!!! and 2)I have to wait until Christmas is over to get me one of those!!!!
It only makes sense that you get paid for this… the amount of time, effort, and energy you put into it is insane. My husband would kick my butt (figuratively, NOT literally) for spending so much time on the computer without compensation. And… you get to spend your days with The Toddler!
I’ve always taken your new food finds as “hey girlfriends, look what I found at the store!!!” You give us great info that we can do with as we please. Keep up the great work!!!
I check your website everyday for new inspiration and a laugh, and it’s never once crossed my mind that this was a hidden attempt at selling stuff. Your site is great, and deserves every penny it gets and more!!! Personally I appreciate the great food finds and seeing the cute shirts! What you’re doing is amazing and don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.
Your site is great!!!!!!!!!! I even LOVE when you recommend a product becuase I have discovered great ones through your site and I really appreciate that!!! After all is OUR desicion to buy them or not. As for what that “LIZ” told you I think that it was very rude from her to tell you that. If there is something that she doesn’t agree or like with your site, well why is she reading it in the fist place?!!!
You are an inspiration to all of US!!!!! Thanks from the bottom of my heart!!!
This is to the person who wrote that comment to you…….”Lead, follow, or get the heck out of the way!”
You keep doing what you’re doing, Roni. We all love you!
Ooh, an affordable eliptical! I need one of those to stick in my garage so I can stack stuff on it and forget it’s there! I’m so happy this Google ad was at the bottom of the page for me to click on! (MY attempt at a silly joke!)
Roni, you are providing an amazing service to the world, please don’t ever forget that. For every one comment you get that is slightly irked by mention of a product or discount, there are hundreds of us who think, “Oh, sweet, I was going to get some more vitatops and I couldn’t remember the discount code.”
Seeing you fulfilling a life-long dream many of us have (to have our own businesses, control our time, be with our children, do things we love that help others, etc., etc.), is quite frankly one of the reasons we read your blog. Not only are you plowing a great path for others to learn from when it comes to business and family, but you’ve healthified (I know, not a word!) yourself down 70 pounds and buffed your bod!!!!
Honestly, if you started telling me how the acai berry was going to whittle my waistline I would roll my eyes and click away. But, you give HONEST product reviews (telling us what you don’t like, too), and occasionally pimp some of your own products, which is what business is about! When your cookbook makes it to print we all fully expect you to blog about it consistently to promote. And we want you to! This is how people who have succeeded in certain areas of their lives help others succeed. By telling them: What I did, How I did it, Why I did it, How I Overcame Issues, Some Helpful Tips. If you comment that you have found Kellog’s kettle corn to satiate that late night sweet treat I think, “Awesome, maybe that will help me,” not, “How much is she getting paid to say that to us?” Maybe that’s just my positive attitude and optimism. Or, maybe it is because I’ve been reading your blog for almost 2 years and feel like I have a basic feeling for the bent of your heart. Perhaps seeing you cry on Ask Roni videos over the months has helped me see you as “you,” not just a blog personality. Also, if you are truly giving your own opinion (ie., the kettle corn example), then I hope you are getting paid a boatload of money by the company you happen to promote of your own free will. I know that is typically not the case, unfortunately.
I’m sorry this turned into a rant. It just gets my hackles up when I hear people insinuating that it is somehow wrong for you to make money on a service you are providing. If you didn’t make money on this there is no way you would have the time to do everything you do on all of your blogs because you’d be working somewhere else! We would miss out on all of this wonderfulness. So, here’s to hoping your collection of blogs and blog communities (and associated REVENUE) grow and grow and grow and allow you to continue as you see fit :)
Your blog is a wonderful source of inspiration and info for so many, there is never any salesmanship, even your product reviews are clearly your honest opinion, there are times you’ve said how you didn’t like this or that.
Don’t let anyone spoil your efforts, and yes you do earn every nickel that comes your way, a great deal of time and energy goes into this blog, the problem is you make it seem so easy from the outside!
More importantly Have a Merry Christmas! Enjoy time with the husband and the toddler, trust me they grow up too fast (except for my husband LOL!).
I love reading your site because of YOU and your honest posts about the ups and downs of weight loss. I have never thought you were forcing products on us. I actually like learning about new food products and such. Some things I can’t wait to try. Others I pass on by. But guess what? It is my choice. For those that don’t like it, don’t read THAT post or perhaps this community is not right for you.
All in all, thanks Roni for your inspiration. It is because of people like you that have helped me lose 50 pounds in 8 months on my own with proper diet and exercise and not any diet program (ie: no WW, Jenny Craig, South Beach, etc—rather, just healthy living the “Running Through Life” Way!).
Hey Roni, Just wanted to leave a comment of support. I too am a “professional blogger” and have done many things to make extra money from my blog by providing (or at least trying to) a decent blog to read :)
You are successful at doing so. I think internet marketing is a very new way to make money and soo many people do not understand what it is to make money online. it is easy for people to think “why should i listen to you when you are selling stuff” but its not really like that.
Do we stop reading magazines, just because they create ad revenue? no! or at least most of us don’t.
Your blog is your “magazine” in a way and you have every right to try to pay yourself for your hard work.
You should congratulate yourself for finding a way to make money from home doing something you love! :) which I think you do, but just sayin’
Reminds me of a quote I saw the other day: “Anyone can make a buck. Not everyone can make a difference.” I, for one, am delighted that you’re doing both!
Thanks Roni for responding to my question. That being said I dont think it was really necesary to go on a defensive mode. I simply asked a question and you chose to answer . I dont think it is fair for your readers to attack me for my opinion..it is a public forum no? It was like being in High school today on here..with the person who dared to have a different view and the bullies coming out in full force to attack and protect their leader. There were many comments that I was jealous of you…come on really? Rude? how ? I asked a question I did not make a comment. By you responding to those attacks against me as warming your heart and support is just something I cant even understand. Way to be diplomatic. I warn my kids against cyber bullies and look here is a whole group off them!
If I like something enough, and especially if it make my life or fitness goals any easier I’ll share. I haven’t monetized my blog yet. I try to link to things because people keep asking where I get stuff.
I’m finding that the more I just share my real life stories and experiences on my fitness journey the more people can relate and share their experiences too.
Many other areas of my life have been blessed from sharing my journey with others. Weather it’s directly or indirectly.
Thanks for sharing your life with us.
wow liz. i don’t think roni was defensive at all. she explained her position and thanked you. some of the readers may have been defensive but i thought roni was very fair and respectful.
Roni, I just love your sites, all of them. And having met you I think you are an amazing person. I enjoy reading your reviews for products (like the Mary Lou scale, which is brightening my mornings *cough* with lots of applause and cheer… anyway, you’re doing a great service with your blogging, helping lots of people and I appreciate it lots :)
Merry Christmas!
Roni,
I LOVE your site and read it daily. I have never felt like you were trying to sell me anything- it is my choice to check out your site and I guess if some people feel like you are trying to sell them something……… NEWSFLASH……………… don’t view Roni’s websites- DUH!. Their loss! Merry Christmas Roni!
Just a quick thought….as I check in daily as well…..I love the fact that since you have quit your faculty position that you post more frequently and have more time for “US”. How selfish is that????? (That will be the next post) ha ha ha “Selfish Readers want MORE!!!!!” Honestly, I love this site ……the funny, humanistic, wife, mother, chaotic moments, tears, laughter, caring, compation and real life moments…… Keep up the hard work. You are appreciated!
Liz – You asked and I gave an honest answer. Defensive? maybe, it is my blog and you did pose a simply question quite “offensively.” I’m not trying to be snarky here, just trying to have a conversation.
I thought you brought up a very good topic, so good that I figured others probably shared your thoughts. That’s why I responded the way I did.
Yes I thought some were a bit harsh on you as well. It’s the support that does warm my heart as it I think it should. You are right, I should have called out the negatives comments towards you. I am sorry about that. Sometimes I really don’t think people realize that the bloggers and commenters are REAL people too.
Just as they shouldn’t have called you jealous maybe you shouldn’t have labeled them all “cyber bullies” some of them didn’t even mention you in their comment they were just adding their experiences. I think we are all taking this simple topic way to far. It doesn’t need to get so personal, and, well, defensive. :)
Again, thank you for your question as I thought it was something that warranted some attention. Not negative attention, just a response.
-Roni
I have recently found myself the recipient of a “cyber bully” and believe me it is not fun. To think that every comment made on the web can be anonamous is a little scary. I think Liz asked a question she was curious about and I think Roni answered it in a great way. Having a group of readers that are loyal is a must in this business. Yes, a business. That said, I don’t feel that Roni runs the site(s) like a business and that is what I enjoy about reading her blogs. She is human and treats us like humans also. Who else gets teary eyed when they talk about their inspiration as much as Roni? I love this site and it has been so inspirational for me that I have achieved a 35 lb weight loss and have maintained for 3 months so far. Keep doing what you are doing and being honest. Thanks!
When Roni post food finds or other things, I just look at them as an opportunity to find new food that i might not have seen myself. And i love the shirts, so i’m glad she sells them! i can’t wait for more Roni clothes! Keep doing what your doing because you obviously have a lot of fans!
Hmmm in response to Liz, not to be mean but I think this has more to do with her than you…what is really going on inside, she should maybe ask herself and be thankful there are people out there that take the time to support us and be inspirations.