I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide

01-06-2011, 11:40 AM

I write crazy reviews for Famous under the pen name Katmancross.
They hired me because of my creativity and irreverent attitude. They've published 9 reviews since mid Oct.
Apparently, they've had complaints
Too sick
Offensive to women
One review had gore
One review mentioned hookers
No muslims (my next published review is about capturing bin Laden-he tires of being a terrorist on the run and becomes a stand up comic doing open mike nights-I haven't said a word about Muslims once in prior reviews)

Mind you, the guys have been cool and saw nothing wrong with my reviews prior to publishing. But now the new rules must change because of a few complaints.

Now, as I see it, cigar sites attract men. Adult men. Children don't read what I write. And I'm sure very few women read it.

They don't pay me a dime for these reviews. They send me a 5 pack for review purposes.
I do this for the freedom and creativity it allows. Anyone can write the 1-2-3 review. And Famous wanted to get away from that.

I'm at the crossroads. Do I buckle under and do what they ask...write for the masses? Or do I take my ball and go home?
Help me.

Mugen910 · 01-06-2011, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katmancross

I write crazy reviews for Famous under the pen name Katmancross.
They hired me because of my creativity and irreverent attitude. They've published 9 reviews since mid Oct.
Apparently, they've had complaints
Too sick
Offensive to women
One review had gore
One review mentioned hookers
No muslims (my next published review is about capturing bin Laden-he tires of being a terrorist on the run and becomes a stand up comic doing open mike nights-I haven't said a word about Muslims once in prior reviews)

Mind you, the guys have been cool and saw nothing wrong with my reviews prior to publishing. But now the new rules must change because of a few complaints.

Now, as I see it, cigar sites attract men. Adult men. Children don't read what I write. And I'm sure very few women read it.

They don't pay me a dime for these reviews. They send me a 5 pack for review purposes.
I do this for the freedom and creativity it allows. Anyone can write the 1-2-3 review. And Famous wanted to get away from that.

I'm at the crossroads. Do I buckle under and do what they ask...write for the masses? Or do I take my ball and go home?
Help me.

BSB · 01-06-2011, 11:42 AM

F*ck'm!

hscmit · 01-06-2011, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSB

F*ck'm!

what he said

massphatness · 01-06-2011, 11:43 AM

What do you want to do, Phillip? As you said, it's not a paid gig. More of a creative outlet and/or hobby. If I'm on my own dime, I tend to do what I like. If I'm getting paid, that's another story.

jledou · 01-06-2011, 11:44 AM

Money talks and BS walks. It's a business and they have to do what they have to do. You have to do what you have to do.

Ogre · 01-06-2011, 11:44 AM

I say, dont sell out. If you are not losing anything (like your livelihood) I would worry about it. What will be next?? Having to give good reviews to cigars they say??? Just go with your gut and be happy.

01-06-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ogre3239

I say, dont sell out. If you are not losing anything (like your livelihood) I would worry about it. What will be next?? Having to give good reviews to cigars they say??? Just go with your gut and be happy.

Actually, that's coming up next

icehog3 · 01-06-2011, 11:48 AM

Be true to thine self.

Parshooter · 01-06-2011, 11:53 AM

First Amendment

Dunkel · 01-06-2011, 11:51 AM

To Hell with knucklin' under. Start your own cigar blog and write reviews the way you want. I'm sure companies will send you plenty cigars to review.

01-06-2011, 11:56 AM

Where could I set up my own blog and how would I get people to notice it?

Prefy · 01-06-2011, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katmancross

Where could I set up my own blog and how would I get people to notice it?

If you are serious about setting up your own blog, fire me a PM.

357 · 01-07-2011, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katmancross

Where could I set up my own blog and how would I get people to notice it?

I believe blogspot.com is free. A friend of mine has a poker blog there.

http://madirishpoker.blogspot.com/

BTW, congrats on the new gig.

kaisersozei · 01-06-2011, 11:57 AM

Cool gig. I suppose you could keep doing what you do, and it's up to them to publish or not. Doesn't sound like you're under an obligation so I'm not sure I see why Famous would get too worked up about it.

Maybe you can capture all their corny suggestions & "offensive free" comments in one big tongue-in-cheek review as your next piece of work.

JoeCool87TC · 01-06-2011, 11:59 AM

I second it: Start your own blog. Reference the reviews they have already published.

The Constitution says nothing about protection from being offended, that's what the ON-OFF switch and channel changers are for!

Go for it, do your own thing!

shilala · 01-06-2011, 12:10 PM

If you're still gonna enjoy doing it all watered down, keep doing it. If not, get on down the road.
I can see their standpoint, it's business and they gotta be PC if that's what they want to be. You can always blog and/or post your reviews here and other places if you so desire, so there's your outlet. You're going to reach a lot more people, too.
The way I see it, you can keep on doing what you enjoy, the way you want to enjoy it, and reach lots more people. You're not losing anything.

01-06-2011, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

If you're still gonna enjoy doing it all watered down, keep doing it. If not, get on down the road.
I can see their standpoint, it's business and they gotta be PC if that's what they want to be. You can always blog and/or post your reviews here and other places if you so desire, so there's your outlet. You're going to reach a lot more people, too.
The way I see it, you can keep on doing what you enjoy, the way you want to enjoy it, and reach lots more people. You're not losing anything.

That's good advice and I'm seeing a pattern already.
Thanks

markem · 01-06-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katmancross

I'm at the crossroads. Do I buckle under and do what they ask...write for the masses? Or do I take my ball and go home?
Help me.

Their sandbox, your ball. You have to make the choice about that and whether or not you take direction from a bunch of anonymous strangers on a different cigar board.

nick2021 · 01-10-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markem

Their sandbox, your ball. You have to make the choice about that and whether or not you take direction from a bunch of anonymous strangers on a different cigar board.

x2, as much as it sucks it is their sandbox...I would not take direction from them and leave. Then again, my advice is not always the best

01-06-2011, 11:40 AM	#1
Katmancross Guest Posts: n/a	I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide I write crazy reviews for Famous under the pen name Katmancross. They hired me because of my creativity and irreverent attitude. They've published 9 reviews since mid Oct. Apparently, they've had complaints Too sick Offensive to women One review had gore One review mentioned hookers No muslims (my next published review is about capturing bin Laden-he tires of being a terrorist on the run and becomes a stand up comic doing open mike nights-I haven't said a word about Muslims once in prior reviews) Mind you, the guys have been cool and saw nothing wrong with my reviews prior to publishing. But now the new rules must change because of a few complaints. Now, as I see it, cigar sites attract men. Adult men. Children don't read what I write. And I'm sure very few women read it. They don't pay me a dime for these reviews. They send me a 5 pack for review purposes. I do this for the freedom and creativity it allows. Anyone can write the 1-2-3 review. And Famous wanted to get away from that. I'm at the crossroads. Do I buckle under and do what they ask...write for the masses? Or do I take my ball and go home? Help me.

01-06-2011, 11:42 AM	#3
BSB Feeling at Home Join Date: Jan 2011 First Name: Bob Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 897 Trading: (13)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide F*ck'm! __________________ Ad majorem Dei gloriam!

01-06-2011, 11:43 AM	#5
massphatness Where's my buffaloooo ... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Vin Location: MassHolia Posts: 12,690 Trading: (206)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide What do you want to do, Phillip? As you said, it's not a paid gig. More of a creative outlet and/or hobby. If I'm on my own dime, I tend to do what I like. If I'm getting paid, that's another story. __________________ *Help Support The Navy SEAL Foundation: HERE*

01-06-2011, 11:44 AM	#6
jledou Have My Own Room Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jay Location: Kansas Posts: 2,224 Trading: (27)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide Money talks and BS walks. It's a business and they have to do what they have to do. You have to do what you have to do.

01-06-2011, 11:44 AM	#7
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide I say, dont sell out. If you are not losing anything (like your livelihood) I would worry about it. What will be next?? Having to give good reviews to cigars they say??? Just go with your gut and be happy. __________________

01-06-2011, 11:48 AM	#9
icehog3 Admiral Douchebag Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tom Location: Clermont, Kentucky Posts: 71,305 Trading: (60)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide Be true to thine self. __________________ Thanks Dave, Julian, James, Kelly, Peter, Gerry, Dave, Mo, Frank, Týr and Mr. Mark!

01-06-2011, 11:53 AM	#10
Parshooter I'm a friend of Gary S Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Marc Location: St Somewhere Posts: 835 Trading: (2)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide First Amendment __________________ I love chicks with FLBP.

01-06-2011, 11:51 AM	#11
Dunkel Maduro & Oscuro Whore-O Join Date: Jun 2009 First Name: Doug Location: West by God Virginia Posts: 2,232 Trading: (75)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide To Hell with knucklin' under. Start your own cigar blog and write reviews the way you want. I'm sure companies will send you plenty cigars to review. __________________ Blue Label,Any Filipe Gregorio,Acid,Don Elias,El Mejor Espresso,Tierra del Sol

01-06-2011, 11:56 AM	#12
Katmancross Guest Posts: n/a	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide Where could I set up my own blog and how would I get people to notice it?

01-06-2011, 11:57 AM	#15
kaisersozei The Homebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Gerard Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 3,183 Trading: (40)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide Cool gig. I suppose you could keep doing what you do, and it's up to them to publish or not. Doesn't sound like you're under an obligation so I'm not sure I see why Famous would get too worked up about it. Maybe you can capture all their corny suggestions & "offensive free" comments in one big tongue-in-cheek review as your next piece of work. __________________

01-06-2011, 11:59 AM	#16
JoeCool87TC Relaxing in Paradise... Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Joe Location: Beautiful Rural East Texas Posts: 186 Trading: (4)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide I second it: Start your own blog. Reference the reviews they have already published. The Constitution says nothing about protection from being offended, that's what the ON-OFF switch and channel changers are for! Go for it, do your own thing!

01-06-2011, 12:10 PM	#17
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: I'm at the Crossroads-Help me Decide If you're still gonna enjoy doing it all watered down, keep doing it. If not, get on down the road. I can see their standpoint, it's business and they gotta be PC if that's what they want to be. You can always blog and/or post your reviews here and other places if you so desire, so there's your outlet. You're going to reach a lot more people, too. The way I see it, you can keep on doing what you enjoy, the way you want to enjoy it, and reach lots more people. You're not losing anything. __________________