The Post Sell-Out Post
April 2, 2016 My fellow wrecky minions,
For 8 years I have steadfastly refused buy-out offers, sponsored posts, full-page ads, and every pop-up ad my network allows me to opt-out of. I have turned down "free money" in the form of after-the-click jumps, slideshows, and other unscrupulous posting practices. In short, I have done everything I possibly can to make Cake Wrecks a fun place for free laughs while still allowing John and I to do this for a living. It gets harder financially every year, as we've long since had to let go our part-time helper & guest writers, but these are standards I've never wavered on, and never will.
I thought it would be funny, then, to do something so WILDLY out of character for April Fools that you regular readers would immediately get the joke. I decided to make a CW post that looks like most other blog posts these days: a tongue-in-cheek, "sponsored post" parody.
Unfortunately, even after 8 years of writing online, I still managed to drastically underestimate the knee-jerk, jump-to-the-worst-conclusion-and-then-gather-an-angry-mob reaction of the interwebz at large. Not to mention their inability to check the calendar, and/or remember they were on a humor site. o.0
At first I took it as a compliment that so many people were falling for it, but within a few hours it was obvious things were getting out of hand. We lost readers. There was lots - and LOTS - of yelling.
;)
Some even called into question the legality of what we were doing, while others bashed poor Wilton, which of course knew nothing about our post, much less gave us a single cent in compensation.
I like to think the silent majority got the joke, had a laugh, and moved on, but regardless, John and I received a sound virtual thrashing yesterday.
I'm still rather bemused by the whole thing, but to be honest, I can't help but think: this is our thanks. This is what we get, after all these years, thousands of posts, thousands upon thousands of hours of hard work and heartache and just trying to do the right thing by our readers. After showing you guys who we are, after building a sense of trust and even community here alongside the giggles, all it took was one ill-received joke to turn us into pariahs.
Worse, it wasn't even a hurtful joke. Nothing tasteless or thoughtless or targeting any individual or group - just a parody of what everyone else online seems to be doing. Something that if we DID do (which we wouldn't), would only be because we needed the extra money to keep CW running.
To be fair, a few readers yesterday - who still didn't get the joke - were supportive. They wrote to say they understood, and everyone has to make a living, right? - and I was weirdly grateful, even while thinking, "How can you believe we would do this? Don't you know us?"
So anyway, I just wanted to say thanks to the silent majority who remembered what day it was yesterday, even if you didn't think my post was funny. And thanks to those who would support John and me even if we did "sell out." But mostly, thanks to those of you who took into account every post before yesterday's, and showed a little trust.
Now, let's get back to cake.
Because hey, I think I finally have an excuse to post this one:
;)
No foolin'.
*****
Thank you for using our Amazon links to shop! USA, UK, Canada.
Reader Comments (424)
Has anyone else noticed that many users of the tinterweb have no personal filter? They have no problem with anonymously hurling abuse from behind their keyboards. These people are worthless morons and should be ignored. To be honest it didn't register that it was an April Fool's joke - I just thought it was funny as usual. A previous blogger obsession of mine turned to the dark side and started flooding her articles with sponsored java links, and this obviously wasn't the same thing at all (even if it had been real).
Not the worst reception a joke has ever had though: in 2014 after large areas of the country had been several feet deep in flood water, my local paper put out an 'April Fool's joke' about our village soon to be engulfed by a raging torrent which would destroy everything in its path. Oh how we laughed.
I read it, doubted it but didn't comment, and moved on. I apologize for being silent and not showing my support. I read CW and Epbot daily and you and John are bright spots in my day. If you ever had to get a sponsor, I would still love and support and read you. I wish I, and the others quietly supportive readers, had spoken up yesterday. You didn't deserve that reaction from the loud few.
I've never ever commented on here, but I just needed to say something! I thought yesterday's post was FUNNY and a GOOD April 1st's joke. I totally fell for it at first and thought "Hope they're getting nice money out of this!" I think you have a right to make as much money as YOU see fit through YOUR website. And heck, if it means hiring someone and creating one more job in this rotten economy, I would even encourage it! Sorry you were victim to the hate. The Internet really is too much freedom for some people. God bless you.
I adore CW! Never let the turkeys get you down.
You all save me from myself many days when things get too serious.
Thank you!! Keep them coming.
Frost 'em if they can't take a joke!
I thought it was funny and that you are awesome. Sorry you got yelled at. Have been reading and laughing forever. We even make a point of only buying wrecky cakes if we ever need a store bought one hoping that we would make you proud. Thanks for what you do
I'm sorry I missed the post! I love the funny stuff that gets posted online on 4/1 and I normally spend some evening time scrolling through and laughing at various websites, assuming everything I read is a gag. But this year I got so distracted by the stupid Robin thing on reddit that i never even finished the rest of my rounds!
As others have said, even if you did need to do sponsors to support the site, I think most of us would understand, and would trust you to incorporate it as tastefully as possible, as you have with ads. Though it's easy to get stuck in the negative comments, I'm sure the bulk of us are just out there silently supporting you (and not-so-silently laughing, or shoving our phones into our spouses' faces yelling LOOK AT THIS CAKE!! ....that's not just me, right?).
I am a long-time reader of CW and have never been offended by anything you've posted, ever. Offended by the BAKERS, yes. By CW, no! You are a humor site and it just wouldn't be what it is without its snark and innuendo.
Thank you for taking me on a laugh-filled "word journey" over the last several years.
I wanted to make sure I wasn't silent in my support of yesterday's AF joke. I loved it!
And I am so sorry that people are jerks and reacted like that yesterday.
Dear Jen & John and all the CW fans - thank you for being who you are. I personally loved the tongue-in-cheek blog yesterday and laughed out loud thinking of all the ways you and your new "sponsor" could collaborate. I am sorry that some people thought it was serious and lambasted you both. The readers you lost will be replaced by even more fans. Hang in there - we all (collectively) have your back! Keep posting amazingly funny, at times snarky, descriptions of cakes. I need my daily dose of laughter and fun! All the best to you and the fur babies.
I'm in the UK and April Fools was all over when I read yesterdays post but I still got the joke. People are silly. These were obviously people who don't follow you, don't read the words and just look at the (not so) pretty pictures. Otherwise they'd have known you well enough to know it was A JOKE!
Sorry you got a bad response to the post yesterday. I thought it was fairly tame as April Fool's jokes go. I really enjoy the site and look forward to the posts every day.
People gave you crap? For that? ON THAT DAY? Go home Internet, you're drunk.
It's not like you posted a fake new doctor for Doctor who announcement.
Love y'all. Totally not mad!
Hi Jen and John (thoj).
“Hold onto your innocence of heart, at all costs! Because it is the spark of deity that you are born with. Don’t let the trolls steal your divineness.” - C. Joybell
It's unfortunate but true that people who agree with a post are less likely to comment than those who don't. I've loved everything you've ever posted. You are brave, inspirational, hilarious. I don't often leave comments, but please know that you have at least one very devout fan and I am sure there are many others like me who maybe don't say it often enough, but for whom your website is a daily dose of sunshine. Keep it up.
Love your site. Please keep laughing, even when the too serious out there get in the way. <3
I am amazed. I didn't get the joke, but also missed the outrage... I just thought it was a little different - didn't think of the "commercial value" of the post, and really kind of forgot it was April Fool's day. But for people to turn on you like that is unbelievable! I'm so sorry this happened to you nice folks who have done nothing but make us laugh (and on Sundays, go "AWWWWWWWWWW") every other day of the year.
I've never commented before, but I just wanted to say you guys brighten my days! I love CW and Epbot! I second everything crayon said!
Aww, I'm sorry people were being poopy-heads yesterday. :( I confess it took me a minute to get the joke, but I chuckled once I did (and this was after chuckling at the wrecks). That's the problem with subtle humor, I suppose.
Anyway, I think you're doing a fantastic job, and I will continue to read both this blog and Epbot. Stay awesome, Jen and John! :)
Wow! I read it and was disappointed - I didn't get the joke at first. And I knew Wilton was probably going to get bashed. But my goodness this is how you make a living and if you did have a sponsor that's your own business and no one else's. That's ridiculous that some people would say they would stop reading because of that! Whatever! They'll go away for a week and then realize how much they miss you and silently sneak back!
Hi Jen and hubby John (also my hubby's name BTW),
I actually fell for your AF joke yesterday and went on to post that I thought it was a marriage made in heaven (being a user of Wilton products myself, and a big believer in DIY cake decorations)! Needless to say I realized as soon as I hit the "Send" button that the whole thing was an AF prank, and honestly I was a little crestfallen...
I just wrote to assure you guys that I'll always be a fan, and wish you both nothing but continued success...in uncovering wrecky cakey disasters!
Daisy
I must ask about the first one, the Walmar.......t one.
Is it from Walmart?
I showed my husband this (as I am always laughing out loud and saying "Come and have a look at this!") and he promptly said "Idiot proof systems are no match for system proof idiots".
As my country is ahead of yours time-wise, it was April 2nd when I read my favourite site link but after a short pause I realised it was an April Fool's joke, even when it was, to me, a day late!.
Keep on with the good work and hopefully those who vilified you (why?????) finally get over their embarrassment when they realise their mistake and come back to read the funniest site on the web. I think the comments that accompany the wrecks are funnier than the wrecks themselves, even if I don't always get the geek references!
PS. I too did not know you could buy a practise board for writing with icing (or frosting as you Americans say)!
Another silent majority chiming in. Still here. :)
First, I'm glad I'm not the only one who clicks on Cakewrecks on Saturdays JUST IN CASE. And second, I wanted to add my support and congrats on a great and funny and appropriate April Fool's joke. I could feel my face do a double-take when I first saw the logo, and then I was all "D'oh!" and started laughing.
I don't know why anybody would feel the need to do anything else, but perhaps at least it is an indicator of how passionately they love your work? I mean, I do, too, and that wasn't my reaction, but I'm trying here.
Youse be youse, guys. (That's "you be you", but from Philadelphia.)
Thank you!!! So many of us love you guys!!!
I am so sorry you got treated that way. Rather than simply saying that, though - where do you get the biggest royalties or payment? I would like to buy your book, and I'd like to encourage other long time readers to show support likewise if they can, if they can't, they can't, no harm and no foul. But I'm buying a copying, and putting it in my library. And maybe a second to do as a BookCrossing book.
[NOTE FROM JEN] Thanks, Diana! You can buy Cake Wrecks (the book) anywhere; unless it's second-hand, your choice of site or store doesn't matter much when it comes to the royalty check. That said, if you buy through our Amazon link at the end of each post, then we get an extra commission, which helps even more!
Been reading you for years and I don't think anyone should ever criticize you no matter what you guys choose to do. This is an expensive endeavor, and even if you DID decide to become sponsored, at any time, it's your choice and we should all still love - and greatly appreciate - all the work you and your husband put into this. So, for my input, no matter what you do, I'd never criticize and I actually didn't see the posting yesterday - the link didn't show up on my Facebook - but, I'm sure it would have made me laugh as much as this gem always does. Whatever YOU choose to do to help keep the site going, there are those of us who appreciate you guys, no matter what. When the haters start funding you, than they can complain; until then, you do what you need, some of us will ALWAYS understand and always be grateful for you.
I never ever comment on anything unless it is positive. There is enough ugliness and sadness and conflict in the world and I never want to add to it. I come to a site like this to smile and laugh and forget my troubles for a while. I wish everyone would just zip it or lighten up. People can be so casually cruel and never realize the lasting impact of hateful or accusatory words. I'd be heartbroken if this caused you to change or stop publishing things. You bring so much joy to what can sometimes be a bleak and mean world. I've never surfed over to your site and not had my day totally brightened up. You both are amazing people doing something so good to share with the whole internet. Love and puppies and gratitude for everything you have given. For every loudmouth dummy, there are probably 100 people who got the biggest kick out of your work and had their day made just a little better. Never ever stop or doubt yourselves. Some sanctimonious people only get their jollies from being jerks loudly on the internet, where no one can see their wrecky little souls. Brown swirly icing piles and CCC cakes to them, PTOOOIE!
Wow, people are crazy. I got it, but it took a bit before I remembered. Hope they get over it - we love ya - wreck on!
J & J, I am part of that silent group, long-time reader, first-time commenting. I read the post yesterday, I found it as funny as usual, I wasn't sure if you do "take" sponsorship now, but my comment on that would be "so, what?". It is your website, you put the effort in it, you can add whatever you want on it! Ignore the nay-sayers and keep up the wonderful work! I come often on your site just to get a smile - in a world where everything seems to be very important and serious, you're a ray of sunshine, with the occasional gorgeousness of Sunday posts (which I adore!). I hope you're not disheartened by yesterday - keep having fun, keep brightening our days, keep making us remember not to drink while we read your posts.
I knew full well what day yesterday was, and still didn't catch on, but thought "So what if they did get a sponsor, at least it's cake-related." But for people to get mad?????? Wow!!!!! You two have touched so many with your humor, and given us all a reason to live - I mean who among us can go to a grocery store or bakery without looking for a wreck? Thank you for all you do, and I hope you keep doing it for a long time
...cuz hey, I don't have much faith in the bakers! :-)
I can't BELIEVE that people gave you trouble for that brilliant post. I thought it was hilarious. I guess it's true what they say, "Never underestimate the power of human stupidity". Just assume that everyone who hassled you came from the extreme left side of the bell curve. I almost feel like you and John are part of my family after following both your blogs for so long. Please please don't let this hurt you. Try and remember that for every single negative comment you received there would have been at least ten people who really enjoyed it and didn't think to show their appreciation. I was one of them. I'm sorry. I'll try to remember to say thank you for your brightening my day more often. And I bet there are an awful lot of people who made nasty comments yesterday that are feeling very ashamed of themselves today.
I like you, just as you are.
How many e-mails did you get telling you the links weren't working properly? If anyone HAD clicked the links, they should have figured out it was a joke!!
Long time reader, first time commenter. Gotta say, I got the joke and thought it was quite clever and funny. So many April Fool's jokes are kind of mean so it was refreshing to read one that was both entertaining and totally spot-on with your sense of humor. Don't let the haters get you down. You guys are great!
I never post here, but I read every day and your site had given me a lot of laughs. I didn't get the joke, thought the advertising was a bit strange, but honestly it's not my place to question commercial decisions made by other people when they've provided so much free entertainment for me. When I clicked a link and got taken to a Rickroll I laughed my butt off.
I just wanted to say, it is absolutely UNACCEPTABLE to yell at, abuse or otherwise react in the way these people have to you. I wouldn't accept it from my kids and what we have here are presumably full grown adults behaving like spoiled toddlers because they saw a thing on a website they didn't like. People seem to forget that there are real human beings with feelings behind the sites we love. There is nothing wrong with an email politely asking what's up with the ads, but to open with hostility and aggression is bullying and cowardly. I hope you ignore these people who have so little impulse control that they get angry about a freaking cake website, and keep on keeping on. You don't owe them anything and if they've decided to stop reading, good riddance.
I love all the messages of support to help balance out the cake wreck universe! I missed the post but also wanted to say thank you because your blog is my favourite to have a giggle.
Any reader who was mad doesn't get you guys. I didn't realise it was an April Fools joke, but I did think it was funny. Sorry you had to deal with all the unfunny people. They don't deserve you!
Aww... that makes me sad! I love your site and your posts and your humor! You guys rock! Please keep on keeping on like you have been! My daughter loves you so much she requested a "Congration! You done it!" cake for her graduation! She got it, too. :)
Don't worry about the "your [sic] dead to me" people. They run on outrage and have never met a drama they didn't like - or couldn't manufacture. Dealing with these people is why bloggers get burned out and leave. Please don't leave. We are a community - a village if you will. And as you know, every village needs an idiot or 100.
I'm a marketer, so I thought it was serious, and I thought it was brilliant! Why wouldn't Wilton want to encourage people reading about horrible cakes to buy their "fool-proof" products. And, why wouldn't you take a corporate sponsor if you needed or wanted one? But, when I realized it was a joke, I thought it was equally brilliant because it was both funny and realistic. Please don't focus on the negative. It's a natural response (a real, demonstrable cognitive bias), but it's not important. They're not important.
They're jerks.
You and John are cool beans.
Weeding out the haters
Everyone else needs cupcake cakes (ptooie)
An after April fools Hiku for you 0.0
Wow, I never realized that there were people that take this blog so seriously.
I noticed immediately that it was an April Fools gag. The only way you could have been more obvious at it would have been to open each paragraph with 'A' 'P' 'R' 'I' 'L' 'F' 'O' 'O' 'L' 'S.'
I'm sorry I didn't say anything yesterday either. I've been lurking for years and really look forward to seeing your posts pop up in my news feed. I did thoroughly enjoy your post and thought it was very well done. Easily one of the cleverest April fools posts I saw yesterday.
I guess that's the internet for you. It's sad. I'm sorry that you had to experience that. People can be... yeah I'm struggling to word this nicely.
Keep up the excellent work.
It's too bad that people went off on you. That's unnecessary.
And I'm sorry that your April Fool's joke was taken seriously by some people. But -- isn't that the point of practical jokes? That someone takes it seriously? And, sad but true, practical jokes usually end up making someone embarrassed or uncomfortable. Sometimes, it's the joker.
My other thought -- while reading the original post (which I didn't peg as an April Fool's joke -- sorry, but now that the kids are out of the house, it's not a big part of my life) -- was that Wilton seemed like a good fit for you as a sponsor. C'mon, Jen: there's a link to Amazon on your page, and I can count 5 separate panels on the page which are at this moment showing me ads for services I've used recently. I'm not bothered by you having sponsors; heck, I read your page for free, and ads are paying the way. More power to you! But to get all snippy about how you would NEVER do such a thing -- it just doesn't wash. You are in business, and there's nothing wrong with that. But you can't -- um -- have your cake and eat it, too.
I love what you do, and have been a Constant Reader for years. Don't stop.
Party on! (preferably with cake)
In all seriousness, I thought you were making fun of Wilton.
I thought it was hilarious. Sorry so many idiots gave you two a bad time. I thought it was a joke from the very first. Thank you for your amazing web site. I had such a rough year and your web site kept me laughing and remembering the good stuff.
Ugh, it is so awful that you felt the need to write a post like this one. That people couldn't look to the right to see the date on their screen before unleashing the fury. Your posts are a highlight of my day both here and on epbot and it's heartbreaking to hear that people will still jump to the worst conclusion. I thought the post was very funny and obviously not real.
Delurking to say ads don't bother me at all. If I'm interested (well, it could happen), I'll click. This hilarious, well-loved site is how you earn your living. It's our entertainment and enjoyment, but it's your JOB. It's our GIFT. So IMO you should consider ads. Some blogs I follow do sponsored posts. I can choose to read them or not.
(Boo hoo. Life's so hard if Jen and John have sponsors! I'm leaving! The nerve of those two for ruining my life! I sat on my butt and read their posts, and THIS is what I get??!!) I hate it when readers make themselves victims! I wonder if they complain about free samples at Costco.
If you ever decide to accept sponsorship, I promise to click on at least one per post. I'll guarantee I'm not the only one.
Oh gracious!! Sorry to hear the angry mob formed! I get your posts late via email, so when I read it (today), I just thought, "HOW COOL!!! CakeWrecks got noticed by a bit sponsor! How awesome for them! It's about time a big-wig in the cake industry noticed!" I was actually bummed reading this post! LOL!
I appreciate each and every wreck and sweet you post. My favorite email each day!
:) Mags
So....people were mad they got rickrolled?
(Silent majority member here...thought it was hilarious...carry on)