Fresh-Picked Seattle, Freeattle & Seattle Natural Selection Editorial Policy
(Originally posted on Fresh-Picked Seattle)
(Updated 12/3/10)
I have just put ads on the site so I figured I ought to put up some info on the editorial policy of the site.
Here goes:
Events on the calendar: No one has paid or can pay anything to have events added to the calendar. All are welcome. Each calendar tries to be a comprehensive listing of all the relevant events related to each of the sites. As long as something is related, there is not a lot of editorial discretion used in adding them with a few exceptions:
- I only add events by major corporations if I feel as though there is something unique or valuable about them that serves as enough of a benefit to the reader to offset the fact that it's not a local small business.
- If I'm short on time, some events might not get added. And in that case, it's often that large events with substantial buzz and PR/marketing activity might not be added to the calendar as it seems like the word is having no trouble getting out, and probably most readers have already heard about it.
- Sometimes, though, it might be the very small event that doesn't get added during time crunch due to the lack of broader appeal. I like the quirky and small, so this doesn't happen as often, but it can.
- Events that have only a tenuous relationship to the main topic of the calendar (or, in the case of Freeattle, aren't truly free, e.g., buy one get one free, etc.), will probably not be added. If it's something cool and fun, I might still mention them, though, in a tweet or blog post, so feel free to send them my way.
Special Topic pages: No one has paid or can pay to appear in the editorial text of these pages. That text is solely based on my personal determination about any item's relevance and usefulness to readers. Ads on those pages will be in separate ad section. No changes or additions to the actual editorial text of the pages will be made based on advertiser request.
Blog posts: No one has paid or can pay to appear in the blog posts on this site. Items are selected for posts solely on my personal determination about the item's relevance and usefulness to readers. Ads on those pages will be in separate ad section. No changes or additions to the actual editorial text of the pages will be made based on advertiser request.
**UPDATE: I will be including thank yous to sponsors periodically on the blog.
A couple other considerations:
Because I'm out and about at different events for this site, I might meet and be friendly with individuals who offer products and services mentioned in the editorial text on this site. If I am talking about them on here, it's because I think what they do is good or interesting or just, in general, a relevant part of this community we all live in. I will usually also say "my pal" or otherwise indicate a personal relationship beyond general acquaintanceship so you can decide for yourself how much credence you want to give my opinion.
UPDATED: I'm not currently taking media freebies when it comes to products. I HAVE taken one freebie in the past (I'll list it below).
For the most part, I will not take free tickets or admission to events unless it is media-only (I'll list the media events I've been to below) or it's a public event, but I am attending in some capacity other than the general public (i.e., a judge, etc.).
Basically, I want to try to stick to the rule that if a regular person would have to pay for it, I will too, because I am a regular person. If the site grows, and I see there is an opportunity to be more informative by attending more things, I might consider revisiting this. But I want this site to be about accessibility and, well, being a regular person, so I will always try to keep that in mind.
Any events I attend, I attend with the goal of bringing useful, interesting and actionable information, ideas and tips for you, the reader.
In general, this is not a criticism or review site. It's a community-oriented site, and I try to keep the perspective that people are generally doing the best they can and have good intentions. This is not meant to be hard-hitting investigative type journalism, nor really incisive restaurant reviewing, etc. When I really like something, I'll be especially effusive, but if I don't like something, I will probably just not mention it. I recognize this might be cowardly, but again, I want this site to be community-minded, and reflect a spirit of cooperation and friendliness. I can be kind of grumpy in my regular life sometimes, I like to have these sites be positive and cheerful places. It helps keep me motivated to keep doing them.
Things I Have Gotten or Attended for Free
- Early 2009: Loaf of bread from Essential Baking (I already knew and constantly gush about George de Pasquale from Essential Baking because I used to hostess his classes at Cook's World all the time and I think he's great. So my objectivity there might be already suspect.)
- 2009 Chocolate Salon (attended as judge)
- October 2010 media event with Rene Redzepi given by Kim Ricketts
- October 2010 Oyster Tweet-Up at Elliott Oyster House