To be honest, I wasn’t sure how to word this post to reflect my personal opinion and not make it look like I was writing something positive because of my partnership with Demand. It’s sort of damned if I do/don’t situation. I had an amazingly positive experience with the Demand Studios team and contributors. Even if they weren’t a sponsor I would have posted what I did – but I think you raise a valid point. I suppose I’ll have to leave it up to the individual to decide whether or not I’m sincere.

Thanks for your opinion, it matters.

You’re certainly up front about the partnership. I probably wouldn’t have handled the disclaimer the same way.

Thanks for the conversation.

B.J.

Demand Studios sponsors FWJ as an advertiser. However, I wanted to make it clear that my posts about the conference had nothing to do with that arrangement. No one asked me to post what I did, no one paid me to post what I did – the experience made such a positive impression on me I wanted to share it with my community. I didn’t want everyone to write it off as a sponsored post. My post about the conference went beyond my agreement with Demand.

Also, as discussed with the Demand team, if there was a positive experience, or things I don’t agree with, I’ll discuss that as well.

I hope that makes sense?

I am new to this site and this part of the business, and I apologize if you’ve addressed this issue before and I missed it. I really would like to understand the distinction before thinking seriously about trying to find a sponsor.

Thanks.

It was very good to talk to you as well! Thanks for weighing in. I think we were all impressed by what we learned over the weekend. Indeed, we’re not talking about just another content mill here.

You have every reason to be proud – and the Demand team is equally as proud of their writers.