It's like this...

The USA Today story (and the previous articles in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and on OnMilwaukee.com) featuring this blog have sparked quite a controversy, as can be seen on the comments section on this site. I'm not really taking offense to any of it, but since the comments aren't stopping, I decided to set the record straight.

This blog is my creation and I am free to do what I want with it. Its purpose is to highlight the outdoor recreation scene in and around Milwaukee. My intention is to showcase the huge amount of outdoor opportunities and events that are available in my city - a city I feel very strongly about.

The target audience is both people who live in Milwaukee and people who don't. Individual posts show Milwaukee residents what is happening in their city. The blog as a whole shows people around the country and around the world that Milwaukee is a city that can hold its own when it comes to outdoor recreational opportunities.

VISIT Milwaukee decided that a blog would be a very smart and cost-effective way to highlight the city's outdoor scene. They began looking for a person who was already passionate about the outdoors, a person who could write well and with whom readers could identify with, and most importantly, a person who would be willing to make a commitment and put forth the effort to create an interesting and informative blog. They would give the person the tools and set them up, but their control would end there. There would be no editing of the blog, and no pressure as far as what to write about.

After interviewing numerous people, VISIT Milwaukee chose me. I have always loved the outdoors, and some things I told them were that Colorado is my favorite vacation destination, that I am already a very active person, and that I even trained for and ran a marathon last year. And of course, I'm a writer. I have a Journalism degree and while studying for it at UWM, I wrote an editorial column for two years in the school's newspaper.

Sponsored blogs are a very new idea and that's why this blog is getting a lot of attention. People are watching to see how it turns out. So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. I think it's an excellent idea and I'm proud to be a part of it. But yes, the blog is SPONSORED. People claim that I have hidden this fact, but obviously if I'm doing interviews for big publications, I have nothing to hide.

There is no conspiracy here. No one is pulling my strings, putting words in my mouth, or telling me what I have to do or say. No one has the power to edit my posts. I get to choose the activities I participate in and I get to say what I want about those activities.

So far, I will admit, my posts have been - for the most part - very, very positive. But that sure doesn't mean that it's because this is all one big advertisement.

First off, I'm just a happy person by nature. Would it really be enjoyable to read a bunch of negative posts by a downer of a person? I don't think so. The world has too many pessimists as it is - as can be seen in some of the comments I've received. Many people who are less-than-thrilled about their own lives may take offense at my overall zest for life, but to them I say, that's your problem, not mine.

And secondly, I'm obviously participating in activities that are of interest to me. So it makes sense that I usually have good things to say about them when I'm done!

Despite the fact that I'm a positive person, if you knew me, you'd know that I'm also one of the most blunt and opinionated people around. (Any of my friends want to back me up here? How about anyone who used to read my column in the Post?)

Trust me, if I don't like something, you'll know it.

Most everyone already knows about the compensation since it's been written about in numerous publications. But since so many are having a hard time understanding it, I'll go over it again.

I was given tools to help me perform the task of keeping this blog. That included a laptop on which to write my posts and a camera with which to take pictures of my excursions. It also includes one year of internet and access to various activities. Many of the activities I partake in are free, but I do get reimbursed for most of the activities that carry a cost.

I have been putting a lot of effort into this site between keeping up with the goings-on in Milwaukee, setting up activities, going places and doing things, taking pictures, uploading pictures, and actually posting on the blog. I'm loving it, but it does take up a large amount of time.

Combine that with searching for a job, searching for an apartment, working five or six days a week as a waitress, and planning a wedding, you'll see that I'm one busy girl. And if you read the blog, you'll know that. The blog documents not only the city's outdoor scene, but also my life. That's the beauty of blogs – they're personal. So while people get information, they also get to know me a bit better, therefore making me more credible.

I have to say, I find it pretty crazy that people have such a problem with me getting compensated for what I'm doing here.

For the last time, I'm not getting paid.

I won't deny that I sure as heck wouldn't mind if I were, but even if I were getting paid, it wouldn't change one thing that I've written on here or that I will write in the future.

To those of you who have stood by the blog and its intentions in the comments section, and to all of you who have emailed me complimenting the site, I thank you and I hope you'll keep reading. I'm really looking forward to making this site even better, participating in a lot more activities, and taking the posts through the fall and winter months (yes, there's tons to do in Milwaukee then, too!) and back into the wonderful days of spring and summer.

To those who still have a problem with it, I just have to say I'm sorry.
I'm sorry that you have so much time on your hands that you must spend time criticizing strangers. I'm sorry that you take offense at others' good ideas and at my optimistic spirit. And I'm sorry that you don't see the blog for what it is: an awesome way to showcase an awesome city.

Comments

[Heather]

I am a long time friend of Erin's and I will back her up. If there were anything she didn't like we would hear about it in detail!!!! Don't worry Erin loves to state her opinion and nobody will ever change that!!!

[Derek]

Well said! You know I like it and I hope you keep it up!

[Karl]

whether you have been compensated or not doesn't matter to me, that doesn't take away from the excellent showcasing of the great City of Milwaukee that your blog provides. Regardless of your opinion on the activities you partake in, the photos speak for themselves. Thanks for doing this and I look forward to reading future posts.

[nick]

Why not show everyone what milwaukee has to offer. Some people actualy like where they live and want to talk about it. Keep it up Erin!

[Nicole]

I dont know Erin from Adam, but I have been reading her blog since I read about it on OnMilwaukee.com. I love the blog. I love that I can find out what new and exciting activities there are to do in Milwaukee.
Looking forward to your next adventure Erin!

[Murf!]

:( Too many skeptics in the world, I guess... I have been enjoying this blog since the first post. I appreciate both the variety of activities chosen, and the depth with which Erin describes her experiences. I'm addicted!

[Christi]

Well said Erin! I can't possibly understand why some people are having such issues with a compensated blog. They feel misled? Maybe if they went out themselves and participated in these outdoor activities they'd find that you're not sugar coating anything, or being force fed ideas. They'd find the true beauty in Milwaukee, the adventure that lies in this city, and maybe even possibly develop a little bit of the same positivity that you shower on to us with every post. (although I can vouch that should she not like something...you'll know)

I LOVE the blog Erin. Obviously! You've inspired me to get out and do something different in Milwaukee as well. Your mission is accomplished with at least one reader =)

[Chris]

You go girl. This is still America and if you are getting some help dollars-wise putting up this blog - you should continue to accept it and not feel one bit of guilt.

If some folks are offended by that, I've got a real simple solution - - go find another blog to read, kinda like changing the channel if you don't like what comes on the radio or the television.

I enjoy the read. Best of luck.

[Shane]

I have not read the negative feedback, yet wanted to express my POSITIVE and OPTIMISTIC thoughts about this blog. ITs a fantastic idea. I am very active in outdoor activities and sports and milwaukee needs something like this. People are always going to complain, and most of them are just reacting to something that is going unfullfilled in their own lives. Erin, when are you going to cover some of the mountain bike trails? Sorry if you covered it already....

[Beth]

Erin - My husband and I are from Milwaukee and still have family there, but are now living in Jacksonville, FL. I am a business traveler, and was delighted to learn about your blog in USA Today. You write well and bring back a lot of happy memories of living in a truly fun and fantastic city....keep it up! Let people know that despite the weather (and we all have to admit the weather can be suboptimal) Milwaukee is a terrific place to live or visit.

[Amanda]

Well, I don't think that I have to add much else here as it seems most others have stated my sentiment for me - I love the blog and love the controversy. And Erin will always, ALWAYS speak her mind, pay or no pay. No need to worry there, people! :)

So, Erin, I'll just take this opportunity to again say that I'm really proud of what you're doing and so excited for you and the blog - it's really becoming quite something. Wonderful job, and keep it up.

[Amanda]

Oh yeah, and one more thing to the skeptics: instead of sitting inside on a computer, complaining about someone's blog, get off your bum and go outside! Go running! Go swimming! Go hiking! Whatever, just go! Maybe if you'd get outside and enjoy some fresh air, you'd be a little happier. Just a thought...

[Andre]

As far as I'm concerned, whether the blog is a paid advertisement or not is insignificant. I mean, even if it isn't, Erin is way cheerier than me and will probably like way more stuff than I will.

I stop by every so often when I'm looking for something to do. It's a one-stop shop for finding something to do in this town that doesn't involve liver disease or a losing sports team. I have enough of that in my life, and I'm glad Erin and VISIT Milwaukee are willing to find something more insteresting to do.

To everyone who doesn't agree, piss off. Maybe you should find better things to do than whine about something so trivial. God forbid the tourism office wants people to go outside and have fun. Oh, the horror.

[Erin]

Oh, the horror! hahahahahahahahaha

Andre, your comment made me laugh! Thank you!

[The Grumpy Hacker]

Erin,

"...a person who could write well and with whom readers could identify with..."? ;-) You're too cute--I'm sure it was intentional and you should leave it!

I enjoyed your blog before the criticism, and I still enjoy it now. I hope we bump into each other around town sometime. (Which may be easier now that you actually live in Milwaukee, eh?)

Cheers,

Matt
http://TheGrumpyHacker.blogspot.com/

[Andre]

"I'm sure it was intentional and you should leave it!"

Huh? There's really nothing wrong with that sentence.

I mean, the worst offense is the use of 'whom', which has all but fallen out of popular usage, but it's still pretty much personal choice at this point.

Ending with a preposition? "This is something with which I simply will not put!" English usage has long since moved on from that rediculous rule.