Pay to Play

We’ve been contacted recently by a Green Business journal, who want to write about us, but will only write about us if we advertise with them. This is called “Pay-to-Play” and unless it is mentioned somewhere in the policies of the magazine, or blog, this practice is inherently deceptive.  A few Wedding reality shows have also contacted us. One wanted $8,000 to include us in a segment, the other wanted $35,000 !!! (we declined).Interestingly, no bridal magazine has ever, ever asked for a pay-to-play deal. And, the bridal magazines do favor advertisers! Yet, their editorial content (from our experience) is very above board. Wedding websites do it all the time. They have “sponsorships” - which means that one company buys all the advertising and other companies cannot advertise, or even be mentioned.So — if this is becoming a practice in the “green” space, how do we know, as readers, what is true and what is advertising spin disguised as editorial content? How do they know that our practices are indeed, green, or just green washing?Co-op America really does accredit companies that they allow publish the Co-op America seal. Thank goodness!!