Like most blawgers, I receive a daily flurry of emails promoting stories, article and reports in a variety of publications, seeking my aid in spreading the word of the greater glory and worth of the particular piece and the publication at large.  These come from all the various media outlets, including online media which often charges a hefty fee for access. 

Being an unabashed capitalist, I have no issue with media outlets charging for their content, assuming their content is sufficiently worthy that anyone would be willing to pay for it.  But I do find it absurd that they send their press release to me to help them promote their wares, but neglect one little detail.  I have no greater access to the content than anyone else.  That’s right, they want me to promote it but don’t provide me with free access to it. 

So here’s the deal, and it goes for all the various commercial enterprises that seek the help of the blawgosphere in spreading news of their brilliance and worthiness.  If you expect me to even read whatever it is you’re trying to get me to write about, then give me access.  If you expect me to pay for it, then don’t expect me to promote it for you.  There isn’t a chance in the world that I’m going to pay to access the story you are asking me to read for your benefit.  It’s very simple: If you want my attention, then I want total, free, uninhibited access to whatever it is you’re selling.

If you’re unprepared to do that, then why waste my time and your effort to try to persuade me to write about how wonderful you are.  It’s not going to happen.  And by the way, for those commercial services I might critique along the way because something foolish came across my radar, don’t complain that I haven’t looked at everything you do if I can’t gain access to the rest of it.  It’s your restrictions, not my disinterest, that presents the problem. 

And finally, for those who complain to me about my failure to link to your stories when I do a post on a subject you covered, if I can’t get onto your website, I can’t link to your stories.  Are you getting the idea here?

I realize that many websites are trying desperately to monetize your content.  I appreciate that you need to make money.  But when you seek my help or interest in what you’re doing, then don’t expect me to pay for the pleasure of helping you.  It’s not going to happen.