PR

Disclosure: PR and Otherwise

Updated as of April 16, 2011

I've been around the blog-block long enough to know that the FTC requires blogs that offer promos/product reviews/any post for compensation to have a disclosure statement. Here is my attempt to comply with the FTC to the best of my humble ability. And, lo, my ability is humble.

First things first: I'm Samantha and you can find out more about me here.

I do not necessarily run a "review" blog, however, I do not mind reviewing products on my blog. I also accept a handful of carefully screened paid text links or the seriously occasional paid post opportunity. Why? Because being a stay-at-home mom doesn't pay any bills. Also, adopting two sons wasn’t free and our medical bills need to be paid.  And losing the weight causes the need for clothing in smaller sizes, and new clothes aren’t free.  We are living off of one income in a two income world so every little bit helps.  Remember I mentioned that I am a stay-at-home mom?

This is my personal blog and I enjoy writing posts that are either just for fun or are intended to be thought provoking… no guarantee that what I think is thoughtful may not be just for fun to a reader…and sometimes what I think is just for fun may end up being the most thought provoking posts of the week.  The only guarantee I make is that if my name is on the post then it is one that I stand by… that doesn’t mean that I don’t sometimes eat my words… we all have room to grow and mature.  When I go back and look at the writings that I did in my twenties, I realize just how much I have matured since then so I won’t limit my future self by restricting it to not ever growing up (ie… I am a woman and I can change my mind on a subject, just ask Bill some days).  I am reserving one day a week to post reviews and giveaways. Each Thursday, I will post that week's reviews and giveaways. So I guess I can also guarantee that I won’t be posting reviews or giveaways on the other six days of the week.  I will also be posting any sidebar links I’m getting paid for or receive affiliate credit for in my affiliate paragraph on the Community page.

Are we clear there? Good.

There could very well be a time I recommend something here that ends up being something I'm sorry I recommended. Please know I didn't do it on purpose and that when I posted about said thing I had had a previously good experience with it and it only showed its true colors afterwards. I'm not perfect.
I send out plenty of links to things I don't get paid for because I really like those things and want to give them a shout-out here. I hope you trust me with that and don't think I'm blog-loving things just so I can get some kind of compensation for it.  If I get any form of compensation, I will note it on my post.  But I reserve the right to do non-compensated shout outs on products, services, or books that I really like as one of the advantages of having a personal blog is sharing one’s own opinion on items with friends (ie… followers).

I consider myself to be "PR Cordial" which means I'm not overly "PR Friendly" in that I will bend over backwards for anything and everything that comes my way. But if I'm offered something cool or unique that seems like it could benefit my family or someone I know, I will most likely agree to move forward with it.

I am a Christian and I see the world through the lens of a Christian worldview. This doesn't mean I only work with "Christian" companies or endorse products with Bible verses printed on them. I have yet to see a coffee mug actually accept Jesus into its heart. I don't believe things to be Christian. Only people. Full disclosure here. That's all.

In keeping with the idea of full disclosure, I break my diet at least once a week as I am a closet chocoholic…but I always regret it and pick myself up and get back on the diet.   So the end result is that 98% of the time, I am faithful to my diet… that is better than I am to cleaning or doing laundry… I think that ratio is about 80% or less depending upon the day, the week, and who in my friends or family you are talking to… but that's a story for another day.

There could very well be something I'm missing here in this disclosure statement, but I didn't leave it out on purpose. I'm trying to be as forthright as I can.

You wanna see my media kit? Yep, I put one together. Email me at samantha (at) aspoonfulosugar (dot) com and I'll shoot it your way.  But you might just prefer to walk around my site and see if we fit while you wait for my reply.

That is all. Enjoy.

Samantha