Books With Blair

What do you guys think of Blair's new video? I think it's interesting hearing her talking about books.

It's nice to know she reads a lot (or at least says she does) because, let's face it, a lot of people think she's empty headed (not saying she is, not saying she's not). But with all the younger kids watching her videos, I think it's good she's talking about books, because I'm willing to bet a lot that some kids are suddenly going to take up an interest in reading.
It kind of annoyed me how the publisher sent her a copy of the book. I mean, I absolutely ADORE the House of Night series, and I was glad to see this one video that couldn't possibly be sponsored because, I mean, come on, it's a BOOK. She's a MAKEUP GURU.
But, there we go, she got it for free.
As a general rule, whenever I watch gurus' videos, I go down to read the FTC Disclaimer first, just so I can know whether they're being paid for the review (no matter how honest they're trying to be, money will make people biased, it's just human nature). I saw she didn't buy the Fledgling Handbook 101 on her own, and I was confused, because I was like, "Well, how'd she get it? She's a beauty guru, she's not going to be sent books for free, that's just crazy talk." So I was honestly shocked when she said the publisher contacted her. There are tons of people who love these books, and I don't think it's fair for them to be sending her a free copy. I can totally understand sending beauty gurus free makeup, because their entire channels are based around it. They can review the makeup, put it in a tutorial, etc. But she's a makeup guru. What's she going to do, use the book in a tutorial? I think in terms of makeup, gurus are entitled to a few free products. But when other things come into play, like electronics and books and such, I don't think they should be entitled to freebies. (If you ran a book channel, that's another thing.)
Anyone get what I'm saying? Or am I being too sensitive or something?

It's completely stupid that she got a book for free, but I'm pretty sure her opinions are honest in this video. She's talked about the series many times before this video was ever made and does seem to actually enjoy it.

It's nice to know she reads, because she truly doesn't strike me as the "reading" type.

However, as soon as I saw that she was sent the book for free I gave the videos a thumbs down. Like I always do with her ads. I highly doubt that she would have taken the time to make that video had she not been sent the book for free. In fact, I'm willing to bet (a lot of $$) that it was part of the deal that she make a video about the series to bring awareness to it in exchange for the new book. Why else would the publishers send her a free copy? Because they adore her videos? No. It's just more advertising. As it always is with Blair and her sister. I seriously don't think there is anybody on YouTube as greedy as these two.

Good on her for reading, though. LOL.

Well if you think about it. She does have a decent amount of people watching her video, more than most guru's. So If she makes a video about this book, of course her fans will be interested and want to check it out, and the people giving her all that free stuff know this :/ It's so unfair, but life is not meant to be fair xD

I just wrote a reply but it didn't show up.
If Blair did a video on books I think thats a good thing whether she was paid or not. She does have alot of young viewers and I'm sure most of them can afford a book or get it from a library.
But I just wanted to say you have to be careful when reading FTC disclaimers. What I noticed the last time I watched one of their videos is that they are very sneaky about it. If you look closely they specifically say "I was not paid for THIS VIDEO". So they are not saying if they are getting paid though other things just for making that video they say they are not paid.
If they add a link below there is a very very good chance they get paid per clicks on that link and sales increased from the website.

So have another look at Blairs book review and if she wrote "I am not paid for this video" instead of "I am not getting paid by this company" I bet she is paid. E#specially if she added a company link. I mean come on you can buy a book at any bookstore so why else would she add a company link if she isn't getting paid per click/per sale.

Elle did this recently with her skincare video. In the first video she said she is sponsored by them. In the second video she wrote "I am not being paid for this video" Right....but she still gets paid per click and so on from the company because she is their spokesmodel.

Yep, the FTC disclosures are becoming useless. If they use a different word here and there it's misleading as all get out. I doubt the FTC is even monitoring any of these gurus when they have national security issues.

in the ftc she writes, " None of the companies mentioned are paying me for this video." maybe they arent paying you specifically for the video, but are they paying you a percentage of increased sales of the books?" are you affiliated with the company (meaning you get paid at some point)? sometimes they write "im not affiliated with the company" and sometimes they dont. its all for money, we know that. or is she oprahing it up and really encouraging people to read with no personal gain? (other than the ads on the book series videos and the money we give her by commenting.)?

oh my gosh. Blair's own book club? she's like Oprah for preteens. ugh.

please stop thinking that she'S a great intellectual because she (maybe) reads some twilight-ish books.

Also, this looks like a publicity for some unknown serie that wants to be twilight

wrote:It's nice to know she reads a lot (or at least says she does) because, let's face it, a lot of people think she's empty headed (not saying she is, not saying she's not). But with all the younger kids watching her videos, I think it's good she's talking about books, because I'm willing to bet a lot that some kids are suddenly going to take up an interest in reading.
It kind of annoyed me how the publisher sent her a copy of the book. I mean, I absolutely ADORE the House of Night series, and I was glad to see this one video that couldn't possibly be sponsored because, I mean, come on, it's a BOOK. She's a MAKEUP GURU.
But, there we go, she got it for free.
As a general rule, whenever I watch gurus' videos, I go down to read the FTC Disclaimer first, just so I can know whether they're being paid for the review (no matter how honest they're trying to be, money will make people biased, it's just human nature). I saw she didn't buy the Fledgling Handbook 101 on her own, and I was confused, because I was like, "Well, how'd she get it? She's a beauty guru, she's not going to be sent books for free, that's just crazy talk." So I was honestly shocked when she said the publisher contacted her. There are tons of people who love these books, and I don't think it's fair for them to be sending her a free copy. I can totally understand sending beauty gurus free makeup, because their entire channels are based around it. They can review the makeup, put it in a tutorial, etc. But she's a makeup guru. What's she going to do, use the book in a tutorial? I think in terms of makeup, gurus are entitled to a few free products. But when other things come into play, like electronics and books and such, I don't think they should be entitled to freebies. (If you ran a book channel, that's another thing.)
Anyone get what I'm saying? Or am I being too sensitive or something?

reading twilight and house of night series won't make you any less empty headed. those books are like tv on paper. nothing valuable except for discipline of sitting down and using your eyes and imagination

Speaking as an English teacher, it's good to read anything. Okay, so these books are basically trash, but not everybody has to read "great literature." Reading anything can help improve your writing and reading skills, expand your vocabulary, and galvanize your imagination.

I think it's good that she's talking about books, since this could really spark her younger viewers to do the same. I just wish she'd read actual literature, instead of poorly written teenybopper books.

TheBadness wrote:Speaking as an English teacher, it's good to read anything. Okay, so these books are basically trash, but not everybody has to read "great literature." Reading anything can help improve your writing and reading skills, expand your vocabulary, and galvanize your imagination.

tabloids and trashy magazine expand your vocabulary too, doesn't mean it's good to read them

TheBadness wrote:Speaking as an English teacher, it's good to read anything. Okay, so these books are basically trash, but not everybody has to read "great literature." Reading anything can help improve your writing and reading skills, expand your vocabulary, and galvanize your imagination.

I agree, especially since those books match the level of the young teenage girls that make up her audience. What I am confused by though is why Blair, a self proclaimed fashion and beauty expert, finds it appropriate to be flogging this book on Youtube. Undoubtedly she is promoting something slightly more profound than cosmetics for once, but it doesn't mean that every beauty guru should start posting lectures on biology or analysing classical sculptures on their channels. I suppose I just resent the fact that, once again she didn't make that video with good intentions. It was just part of another business deal.

I also predict Blair's "book club" idea never resurfacing after this video, due to the fact her recording time being kept busy with chains of advertisements.

Quick update!

I just went on to the video and clicked the link in the description box. Let's take a look...


"houseofnightseries.com/pages/series.html?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=fowler"

Yes, this is a paid endorsement without a doubt. I'm tired of shady disclaimers, Blair.

No the FTC is not monitoring anyone. That is not their job to monitor random people. You need to actually report the people that do not do proper disclosures to the FTC and then they will monitor the problem report and they will fine people if they are violating it.
If nobody reports them to the FTC then the FTC will never know.
Also, what "national security issues" does the FTC handle? Do you even know what the FTC does?

If I have time tomorrow I will call and report Blair to the FTC because they are not allowed to do these shady disclosures saying "I am not paid for this video" when really they kind of are because if it wasn't for that video then they would have nowhere to add that link that is going to bring them all kinds of money. I don't care if they get paid it is the fact that they try to trick people. They monitor their comments so don't you find it weird that they ALLOW comments up from blinded kids saying "I see that you wrote you are not paid haha haters are so dumb saying you get paid" They actually let that comment up but if you were to leave a truthful comment asking if she gets paid from that link she would not let it up. It is their deception and tricks that rub me the wrong way.
Blair is affiliated with that company and is getting paid by them and she failed to disclose that. I would suggest you all call the FTC and report her rather then sitting on a forum saying the FTC isn't doing anything...no kidding they can't uunless they know about it.

I guess a good example is to compare the FTC to a Fire Department.

A Fire Department's job is NOT to drive around monitoring peoples houses making sure they are not on fire...they don't do that.
When they get calls about problems then at that point they will investigate. Until then a house in the middle of nowhere could be burning to the ground and getting away with it because the Fire Department has no idea that is going on. SOmeone needs to CALL THEM and tell them so they can look into it.

Same with the FTC. They do not go around monitoing everyone. Once someone calls and makes a complaint report then at that point they look into it. So you guys need to start calling the FTC and I don't know who made up the rumor that you could be fined because you CAN NOT. SO call them and complain and get the ball rolling.

I doubt the FTC will allow you to name out individual people. I think it's regulated but not by snitches on individuals. If you do report it let us know but my guess is even if you are allowed to name an individual on some form somewhere (which I doubt exists, but let us know) that it still would end up in a big HEAP somewhere never looked at. Governmental regulators sure do have the power to regulate (IRS for example does this without any snitches) but getting money from tax payers to pay for national security sure is more important than telling some random kid that their FTC is not in compliance. It's all a matter of where resources will be the best pay off. Government is no exception.

I will let yu all know what happens if I am able to call them tomorrow.
The FTC deals with consumer protection. This is specifically what they do.
Do you have any idea how long it took them to get these FTC disclosure rules into place? The government does not waste thousands of dollars going to meeting after meeting to get something enforced if they do not plan to fine people once they finally win and get the new rule in place.

They WANT to fine people not following the FTC disclosure rule. They WANT the money.
All they need is the tips of who is violating it. So if Blair and whoever else want to act shady and try to trick people into thinking its "a rumor" that they get paid by these companies they should be reported. I mean come on how hard is it for them to write "I am affiliated and receiving payment from this company" nope they want people to think they make these videos out of the kindness of their heart.

I will let you know tomorrow what happend if I can call.

Blair needs to learn how to use "literally" correctly. "I literally get transported to another world." No, Blair, you don't.

I think I looked into this once before to rat out a business but it was not possible. I don't think you'll be able to call anyone. There may be a form on a government website but I think it specifically states you cannot report individual people or companies. It was a big run around when I tried to do it a few years ago. My guess is even though there is the new law, I don't think you'll get very far. But go ahead and research it and get back to us on what you find. I'll be curious. Good luck.

It's probably a wee bit nasty of me but my first thought was "Blair can read?! Hallellujah!"

Alka wrote:

TheBadness wrote:Speaking as an English teacher, it's good to read anything. Okay, so these books are basically trash, but not everybody has to read "great literature." Reading anything can help improve your writing and reading skills, expand your vocabulary, and galvanize your imagination.

tabloids and trashy magazine expand your vocabulary too, doesn't mean it's good to read them

Then what, pray tell, SHOULD people read? Try defining "literature"--it's much harder than it sounds.

Yes, people should move beyond just reading "trash," but they can't just read "lit-ur-a-chuuuur," either. You need a healthy mix. And honestly, everybody has to start somewhere, including Blaire's very young subscribers. I read Shakespeare and Austin and Balzac as a little girl, but I also read picture books, and just last night I read a gossip rag I got for free in the post.

get tipsy wrote:

TheBadness wrote:Speaking as an English teacher, it's good to read anything. Okay, so these books are basically trash, but not everybody has to read "great literature." Reading anything can help improve your writing and reading skills, expand your vocabulary, and galvanize your imagination.

I agree, especially since those books match the level of the young teenage girls that make up her audience. What I am confused by though is why Blair, a self proclaimed fashion and beauty expert, finds it appropriate to be flogging this book on Youtube. Undoubtedly she is promoting something slightly more profound than cosmetics for once, but it doesn't mean that every beauty guru should start posting lectures on biology or analysing classical sculptures on their channels. I suppose I just resent the fact that, once again she didn't make that video with good intentions. It was just part of another business deal.

I also predict Blair's "book club" idea never resurfacing after this video, due to the fact her recording time being kept busy with chains of advertisements.

I have no clue why she's been selected to write fashion articles when equally-famous YouTubers like Richie Nickel are SO much more qualified.