I’ve joined the masses at SocialSpark!
I’ve heard a lot of fuzz about it, and to tell you the truth I’ve been a member since closed beta. As a member of PayPerPost I got invited at an early stage.
Their code of ethics…
- 100% Audit-able In-Post Disclosure
- 100% Transparency
- 100% Real Opinions
- 100% Search Engine Friendly
…which means:
- Below each opportunity accepted via SocialSpark comes with a disclosure badge. Even though the post that you’re sponsored to write would be something that you’d written about “for free” - it’s still mandatory to insert the badge (not even the “sellers” can tell you to not include it), to not risk a conflict of interest.
- Every member of SocialSpark is visible to the public - you can see me here (and if you decide to join, perhaps prop me even :P)
- SocialSpark doesn’t meddle with what you write - it’s between you and the advertiser. You can choose which opportunity to write, and write it how you want.
- All opportunities carry a “nofollow” tag - no more getting bushwhacked by Google for getting paid to blog.
This is probably going to be the most looked at part of the splash screen. Here you can see the new opportunities for your pickings.
POST - This is just a regular sponsored post, you know the sort that have caused a havoc amongst bloggers lately when Google decided to punish them for selling links. Only SocialSpark has “nofollow” tag, as mentioned earlier, so it’s “google safe”.
SPON - Blog sponsorship, in this you get paid a little every day, for as long as you run that opportunity on your blog.
SPARK - This one doesn’t pay a penny, cent or öre. It’s mostly used by other bloggers to spread an idea or push for an entry they’ve made. Good if you’ve run in to a dry spell.
So, what does it look like? Does it behave? Does it regress? Does it Flash?
IMHO SocialSpark has a rather nice 2.0-ish interface.
It regresses rather nicely if you don’t like to have JavaScript running - interface-wise… you’ll loose some rather critical functions though, like ability to change between sponsored posts, sponsored blogs and sparks.
You can do without Flash, they only use it in one place - at the “home” screen they have this small gallery thing to show you the newest opportunities.
As far as i see it, SocialSpark has hit it. Get paid while not getting spanked by Google - and preserve somewhat of your “blogger honour” by the mandatory sponsored badge.
