I heard about LoudLaunch from somewhere don’t remember exactly where. They had announced that they were launching soon and basically they have the same business model as payperpost and reviewme which is paying bloggers to write reviews or posts about online products, services or sites.
I signed up to receive notice of when they launch and sure enough I got it in my inbox today. But first let’s discuss a little bit more about them. The process they say is as simple as ABC -
- Advertiser creates a LoudLaunch campaign and press release, which is then distributed throughout our network of bloggers.
- Bloggers select campaigns they wish to write on and issue a Micro Press Release on their blog.
- Compensation for the Micro Press Release is distributed to the blogger.
Nothing new here except now they also call it a micro press release…uh uh, I call it a post. They take a snide snap at payperpost and their disclosure policy which is now required by bloggers with their own take on it -
Q. How does disclosure work?
A. The LoudLaunch network believes in holding to high ethical standards when it comes to transparency and disclosure. We do not want to cheapen the experiences or conversations generated through our network by muddying the waters with half-hearted attempts at disclosure. While some in the industry feign support for disclosure, they then proceed to promote evasive disclosures washing their hands of ethical responsibility.
They also say that each post (now they call it a post) will include a LoudLaunch button and text that designates the posting as a Micro Press Release (now they call it that) and links to the advertiser’s press release (read Huge Press Release /sarcasm) on the LL network.
Frankly a little bit much as most bloggers would probably not want to have a LL badge defecating their blog setup. Of course before you get the chance to accept “Micro Press Releases” your blog has to go through a discretionary review (read approval process) to figure out if your blog “is worth reading”. WHAT!
Nobody needs LollyLaunch (oops LoudLaunch) to tell anybody they are not worth reading! Frankly I don’t think I would or anybody would be able to put up with their requirements the most annoying of one is this
“However, at a minimum, your LoudLaunch posts should post to your front page initially and should remain easily accessible from your front page for at least 45 days.”
45 days! That’s just stupid. So now not only do you have to be worth reading but make sure your blog is extra lengthy and that your sidebar somehow links to the post for 45 freaking days!!
Oh! and the other thing, yeah after I got the email I wanted to check out how the sign up process works - it didn’t work past the I accept the yada yada legal stuff. The next button doesn’t take you anywhere.
So yeah I don’t think I’m going back there again.
Technorati Tags: loud launch, blog for money, stupid sites
About the author
Hyder has been blogging for the past two years on this blog. He started Weborithm, his web company, in 2007 and along with designing blogs and websites also releases various web related products.
Eliza on December 22nd, 2006
1
I believe you probably saw this over at Johnchow’s website, that’s how I discovered it. Glad to hear I wasn’t the only one that had a problem with the whole sign up thing. Sure, it was easy to get the newsletter but once you got to the site it was another story.
Tricia on December 24th, 2006
2
I was able to sign up and add my sites for review. I did that the day after the launch notice. I still haven’t heard if my sites were accepted or not and it official opens for business in two days.
I’m not thrilled with having to have there logo on a post. If I do do any work for them that logo had better be small and tasteful, or yes it will mar the look of my sites.
I’m willing to check them out and see what happens with them.
Brian Despain on January 12th, 2007
3
I recently used loudlaunch.com as a supplementary marketing effort for my recent Playstation 3 console giveaway. It seemed a great way to potentially announce your campaign to the blogosphere. There are serious problems in the way Loudlaunch.com operates and any advertiser thinking about using the service should be aware. First off you cannot specify what blogs or category of blog that will post on your subject. As a result while the individual posts are solid, the blogs target audience might not be a match for what you are looking for. As you cannot control who may or may not post on your subject. Worse yet your money may go to support terrorism! This has happened to me and my promotion for Earlymiser. A blog call Israel Watch (I REFUSE to link to them) which openly advocates the destruction of Israel and the Jews chose to blog about my PS3 promotion. I find it astounding that my advertising dollars are being spent supporting anti-semitic rantings. More importantly who knows what group is behind the site Israel Watch? I find the views on the site deeply disturbing and I didn’t authorize the post. So the brand of my comparison shopping site is at risk. Can you imagine how I felt about the situation? Worst yet Loudlaunch.com doesn’t have a customer service number and their whois is protected by Domains By Proxy. I have fired off several emails but haven’t gotten a response. Why does Loudlaunch support terrorists?
If you use Loudlaunch, there’s a good chance your brand or site will be featured on a hate site. Don’t do it.
http://thalasar.com/archives/press_release/advertisers_sho.html - full article there (edited by admin, sorry too long)