Joining PayPerPost.com, ReviewMe.com, Creamaid.com and other pay-to-blog sites, SponsoredReviews.com is a brand new site set to launch that will pay bloggers to add buzz to the blogosphere regarding specific products or services.
SponsoredReviews.com is the brainchild of Jarrod Hunt, the 29-year-old owner of TextLinkBrokers.com as well as CEO of 360 Enterprises, Inc. — an internet marketing and development firm.
“With SponsoredReviews, you set your own price,” reads the FAQ section on SponsoredReviews.com, which promises bloggers that “depending on the size of your readership and the quality of your blog posts, you can earn anywhere from $10 to $1000 per review. If you are a major site, you might be able to get even more.”
SponsoredReviews.com will pay approved bloggers monthly via their PayPal.com accounts. Blogs must be at least 6 months old and contain a minimum of 10 posts with at least 250 words or more per post in order to qualify. Blogs less than 6 months old must have at least 25 Posts with 250 words per post.
No automated blogs will be accepted.
The advent of another site that seeks to connect advertisers and bloggers has once again draw fire from critics.
“The blog payola virus is spreading yet again,” is how Michael Arrington of TechCrunch.com introduced SponsoredReviews.com to readers of his “Another PayPerPost Virus” recent post.
“Although Michael takes a very negative view of sponsored reviews in general, we appreciate the mention,” Jarrod Hunt wrote in response on SponsoredReviews.com’s blog to Arrington’s post. “His main concern is the potential corruption of the blogosphere. While it is worthy subject, I couldn’t disagree more with his conclusion,” Hunt stated.
“Reputable Bloggers understand the value of credibility,” Jarrod continued. “And for the few bad apples, their audiences (if they had one to begin with) will make them pay dearly for any abuse.”
Opponents of sites like SponsoredReviews.com worry that bloggers will be pressured into writing glowing blog posts and mislead readers about products the paid bloggers don’t really believe in.
Yet SponsoredReviews.com insists that bloggers will not be required to write positive reviews. “Absolutely not,” SponsoredReviews.com says about the subject, adding, “you are paid to write in-depth, honest reviews. Your constructive criticism is not only appreciated, it is expected.”
While Jarrod Hunt has not yet given an official launch date, bloggers can sign up on SponsoredReviews.com to get their blogs in the queue and check a box to let SponsoredReviews.com know if they are interested in helping to beta test.
