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)
Just wanted to throw some not-so-silent support your way! You guys always crack me up, and I was cackling as I read yesterday's post - just like I do every other day. I knew it was April Fool's, it was a great joke, and that's it. The fact you got verbally accosted by a bunch of humorless, clueless, butt-nuggets makes me sad and mad.
Keep up the fantastic work, and those who truly appreciate you for what you do and who you are will be here anxiously waiting for your next offering to us. You are appreciated, and you are loved!!! <3
My goodness! I don't think I've ever posted before, but I feel compelled to speak up and say I love CW, (except that it makes me crave cake) (well, sometimes) and I hope your feelings aren't too hurt. There are some crappy and weird people out there, sadly. I thought the joke was funny! Keep on being awesome. :-)
It never occurred to me yesterday's post was more of a joke than usual. In fact, I had a "good for them" and "kinda surprised Wilton would go for this, but cool" feeling. But that's because I'm a dork that is slow to catch on without a cake to the face.
Please keep doing what you're doing. I love CW. I think you should have all the sponsors because you guys are awesome.
Just want to add to the chorus saying Jen and John are awesome! When there is so much truly wrong in the world, it's a beautiful thing that I can come here and laugh at stupid cakes. As for irate posters, let's assume they were mostly just playing along with the post and spoofing what a stereotypical angry blog readers would say.
Hi Jen and John; I'm another longtime-reader-first-time-commenter who has read your posts for almost 5 years whenever I needed something up-lifting, and just wanted to give a little reminder...
We all love you (both!) regardless of how knee-jerks react. Hopefully next "April Fools' Day" will run a little smoother!
(Gosh, that was corny.)Hi, Jen & John(thoj).
I don't read daily, but I do read EVERY post, and I love your blog. I'm sorry people are so jerky... Y'all didn't deserve that. You've certainly brought a lot of humor into countless people's lives, and it is MUCH APPRECIATED!!!! :)
My son and I both love you!
I have appreciated and enjoyed all your offerings over the years. Your integrity and kindness are unquestionable. Thank you for being there to make me laugh, cry, and sometimes think!
I'm a faithful fan- best wishes & keep up the great creative work.
Okay, I fell for it totally!! And I really didn't care if you did advertize for Wilton. In fact, I loved my Wilton Cake Decorating courses!! I think you two are a hoot!
Part of the silent majority here. I'm sorry I didn't speak up for you. I rarely read comments so I missed the controversy. But I'm still here and will continue to support you.
Jen and John -- I knew yesterday was tongue-in-cheek because of the "Sham-wow" style patter. But I didn't give a thought to it being a real Wilton sponsorship. I never thought about April Fool's Day. I just thought it was funny.
I'm assuming the nasty posts were not put up (or were taken down)...nobody needs to see that crud, least of all you guys who do such a terrific job, All. The. Time. So please, forget about them; your true blue fans know better and want to thank you for what you've done and hope that bolsters you enough to want to continue. You guys make a real difference--you can be the only laugh I get all day (and I'm probably not the only one who would say that).
OK, now for true confessions--I bought a Wilton practice board a year ago because it is a handy way to develop consistency without making a huge mess. Heck, back in 1976, I went to the Wilton showroom in suburban Chicago to get 4 tier pans to make my first wedding cake (there were no stores like Michael's, Sur La Table, etc. that sold stuff like that WAY back then). I was fortunate that the salesperson asked me what I was doing for supports. Well, I thought she was just trying to see me some fancy darned plastic columns that I couldn't afford, and I said that I was just going to put the layers on top of each other. She explained that cake was heavy and that the upper layers would sink into the lower layers. She explained all the business about cardboard rounds and dowels and pencil sharpeners to me. I expressed my concern that the folks at the venue would be cutting the cake--would they understand about the dowels and know to take them out? She assured me that it was common in tiered cakes. I had NO business making a wedding cake with that lack of knowledge. But it turned out great, and I transported it fully assembled (and pre-frozen) over 150 miles in 80 degree heat (air conditioner full-blast, me wearing hat, gloves, and jacket). It was thawed just when I arrived, needing very little touch up. Still, probably one of the silliest things I ever thought I could do. Why did I tell this story, oh yeah, somebody making fun of the Wilton practice board got me going. At any rate, please forgive the old lady ramble <g>.
You guys are the best!
wow my heart was pounding reading this in fear that CW was over. Silent majority here, you guys rock! looking forward to more wreckage... it's hard to look away :) Cheers
Oh, now I know where the snark is ... I just saw the facebook posts. YUCK!
I'm glad some savvy readers/fans spoke up, but there were a lot of wound-up folks. All that energy could have powered the city of Kalamazoo.
It was almost like reading political blogs. You deserve much better, Jen and John!
Today I learned Winton is an actual real company.
I'm so sorry to hear you got so much negative feedback yesterday. I hope today is helping make up for it. For my own part, I remembered the date, thought to myself that Cake Wrecks was sure to have a good joke post up, and was not disappointed. <3
Damn, people are jackasses. I'm SO sorry you had to deal with that!
Just want to add to the chorus of "WE LOVE YOU" that everyone else has posted here.
Yesterday's post was hilarious, as always, and any readers you lost over an obvious April Fool's prank were ignorant, slack-jawed mouth-breathers who didn't deserve you anyway. Don't sweat it, Jen and John. Rejoice in the throngs of faithful who would walk over hot coals every morning just to get to a new CakeWrecks post!
I know it's hard to ignore the negativity, and I don't blame you for letting it get to you. It must have been extremely hurtful, but PLEASE know that the vast majority of your readers have your back and are SO VERY grateful for all the hard work you put into this blog and Epbot and for all the good you do in the world. You're superheroes, and don't you forget it!
And, jeezus-pleezus, people need to lighten the eff up! What in hell's bathroom is the matter with those entitled pricks anyway?
All my love, appreciation, and admiration,
KW
I've been a reader since the beginning, but rarely comment. I did know what day it was, and knew you guys well enough to know this was a joke! I'm sorry for the reaction you guys received, and that you had to post this. I love this site, and look forward every morning to my daily CW.
I never believed that you had sold out, and it bothers me that some people not only a) thought you did, but b) thought they had a right to tell you how to support yourselves. I've been reading your blog and thoroughly enjoying your brand of humor since 2008? 2009? a long time ago. It's horrible that there are humans out there who jump to conclusions and spout venom, especially on April 1, when people should be checking their calendars. Thanks for being you, and I should have commented yesterday when support was needed, but it seemed obvious that the post was a joke. Wreck on!
I want to add my support too. Cake Wrecks is part of my daily routine and I knew what day yesterday was. I thought it was a very funny post. Keep doing what you are doing. Love you.
Jen, I'm sorry that the wrack if the Internet descended upon you. Yesterday's snarky tone about bad cakes sounded just like you always do, so I didn't think twice about the ads. Mind you, I didn't read the line about Wilton's being your new sponsor, but the post didn't upset me. I did think that the dowels were a bit expensive, but having seen the cake section of a local party store, it didn't surprise me.
If people really got that upset and left, you don't need those readers anyway. And you weren't the only site to get blasted for a prank yesterday; you've got fine company in no less than Google!
Keep up the, er, good work? Or the really bad cakes, Jen and John. Everyone in my house loves your work, and ai'm in love with your Epbot blog too.
Hugs!
Neil, in darkest Saskatchewan
Missed the Bru-ha-ha on 4.1, but now that the links are "fixes", it's even funnier.
Thanks for the laughs.
Ditto most of what people already said. I thought it was a funny post with Wilton behind it. I figured you were trying something new to pay the bills. We all have to somehow. (I honestly forgot it was April 1.) I love your blogs. Never change!
Apparently no one clicked a link and got Ricky Ticky whatevered. . Even without that I took it as a joke- you did the Wow Pan thing previously so I thought that was what it was again. Keep up the good work.
Hi there. I haven't posted a comment in a long time, but I read Cakewrecks daily and have my prized carrot jockey necklace hanging in my bedroom where I see it every morning. I LOVED the April Fools' Day post!. While I wasn't sure if you really WERE aligning with Wilton, I loved the way the announcement was handled. Tongue was firmly in cheek. Count me in with the others who realize that you sometimes need a corporate sponsor to carry on doing what you love. It would not bother me if you DID get help from them. I would prefer that than to seeing this site disappear or have you suffer financially. For that reason, I chose to just smile and move on. This site always provides a brightens my days with a smile and Friday's post was no different. Shame on those who can't see or take a joke! They would rather direct their anger at you than at themselves for falling for the prank. Don't let them get you down! Just look at the comments here if you need a lift. We are your true supporters.
All I wanted to know was whether the first two photos were really the same cake! Oh the horrors of a hot car!!! :P I pretty mush assume everything I read on April 1 is bollocks and just reset my bollock filter the next day ;)
First time poster, looooooooooong time reader.
People are numpties. You guys help make my day a little bit brighter, and to see you get... Frankly, abuse thrown at you, makes me shake my head. It's like watching toddlers throw a tantrum...
Have a hug from the UK, guys. Keep doing you.
Wait...so, there's no practice board discount? Gaaaah!! 😂😂😂
I am 100% with teabunny & Allison, please find a way - for those of us who can - to support you directly with a regular small donation or contribution. Your stance against the proliferation of ads on blogs is admirable, but what you give to us all is worth so much! Please consider accepting our patronage to support you in your creative endeavours, which bring such joy to so many.
I feel really badly that I, apparently like many, stayed silent yesterday. When I read the post, I a bit taken aback for a few seconds but then I quickly realized that it was an April Fool's joke and I had a good laugh. I do not often comment, but I want you to know, Jen and John, how much I love your blog! I literally visit every day as soon as I log onto my computer when I get home from work, and I always love the funny comments you make for the atrocious cake wrecks out there. Please don't stop, and know that even though I didn't comment yesterday, I enjoyed your joke and hope to keep enjoying your jokes for a long time!!!!
I've been out for a couple of days, but wanted to check in on one of my fav blogs only to find I wish THIS was the joke post bc it makes me SO SAD that you two would be the recipient of such vitriol. I thought the post was so tongue in cheek and a very clever joke to play. I can see people not getting it, but to be nasty and hateful hurts my heart. Put any broken pieces together with some yummy frosting :) love and appreciate your wit and dedication!
You guys are awesome; I'm sorry your joke got such a bad reaction. Have you tried Patreon? I donate a few dollars a month for any webcomic or blog I read regularly through it.
Silent majority here as well! Perfect April 1st joke, a little, I didn't get it on the first picture but that board for practising your piping on? Hilarious! And that dry matter of fact tone advertising the silly stuff. I did laugh.
And even on days were I don't get the joke, I chalk it up to me being unfamiliar with the cultural context, not you being unfunny. What could I do, ask for my money back?
Thanks for being one of the consistently best places on teh Internet!
Heh April turd heheh get it?
I thought the Wilton post was a hoot, and very cleverly done! I'm not going anywhere - my day would be very dull without Cake Wrecks. Keep up the good work ❤️
I love your site, I love your posts and this is my first comment.
I'm in the UK and didn't clock it was an April Fools post. It isn't really a big deal over here. I'll admit to feeling the post was so contrived to shoehorn in all of those 'promotions' in and it felt less funny as a result.
But, one marginally less funny (only to me, lots of people clearly found it hilarious) even if it had been a sponsored post would not have been the end of reading CW - you guys are awesome.
I have always felt like you really get my 'weird'. Keep being you. I'm sorry you lost readers, hopefully, once they understand they'll come back.
In the meantime you still have me ;) :P
I didn't twig that it was an April Fool's joke, because all the posts are a day late from Australai's perspective, but it was so obviously a joke, even without following any of the links! I'm sorry you we're given such a hard time for a whimsical, funny post.
I'm so sorry that you got such a verbal pasting from stupid people. I thought it was a really fun post - chin up, jen and John, and thanks you for all the excellent stuff you've provided - soldier on, and remember Bette Midlers maxim - "if they can't take a joke - **** them!"
First time I have been legit Rick rolled!! I suspected the foolishness, but couldn't resist a click!
never posted before...bought your books for myself and now buying them to give to friends because of the pure joy they bring every single time i look at them; feel the same about your website and have shared it with so many...so sorry there is so much hostility in this world. the simple joy and delight you bring every day have few parallels. thank you.
(Raising hand). Silent majority member!
You guys are awesome, keep it up. You are one of my few favorite blogs that I read regularly.
Another first time commenter here.....
At first I actually figured the joke was on WIlton for wanting to have their brand associated with a blog about bad cakes.
Then I realized no corporate executive would keep their job after a move like that, and double checked the date. :)
We love the wrecks. My daughter did her own cake as a "wreck homage" one year - wrote "Leave Blank" instead of "Happy Birthday."
Keep doing what you're doing.
I saw your April Fool's day post and thought it was a funny, sarcastic jab at all the 'professionals' who think they can do everything better. I didn't realize the date, but I recognized the joke. How in the world people got soooo upset, I'll never know. Don't they realize that y'all are jokers?? Anyway, I love you. Keep up the good work.
People never cease to amaze me with their self-centered attitudes. I thought it was funny (especially the part about the fondant melting off - I bake and that's an actual fear of mine! Lol) I think more folks need to follow the rule of "just because you have an opinion, doesn't mean everyone needs to hear it." Especially when that opinion is hurtful, negative, and ranting about something that really has nothing to do with them. So what if you guys decided to allow sponsored posts? How in the world does that genuinely affect anyone besides the two of you??? Folks need to quit jumping to the worst conclusions. Calm down people! Learn to count to 10 (and check your calendar!) before going off on someone! Sheesh ;)
I didn't even think about it as April Fools or anything different than the usual funny jokes!
Jen and John- my first thought was wow, big sponsor, maybe that will take some of the financial pressure off- good for them. As an consumer, not a baker, I have no idea whether Wilton is a great company or not but I could see the humor because... hey it's a funny site! Sorry it backfired on you, or did it?
As of now there are 322 comments before me, mainly from the silent majority- those of us who adore your blog but never take the time to say so. So today we took the time, hope you read thru all these positive quotes and remember we are out there smiling because of your work every day and it gives you strength to ignore the loud idiots who ruin everything for the rest of us.
Wow... this must be a record for most comments on a post. See how much people LOVE you guys?? The complainers are definitely in a very small minority, and are probably not regular followers. Anyone who has seen the Pan-Wow post (or others like it) would have gotten the joke right away, April Fool's day or not.
I feel more betrayed by the fact that your last wreck in today's post has 'congratulations' spelt correctly. What's with that? Yesterday's post was legit funny imo.
I am another VERY long time reader. I used to post in the comments almost daily back when there was a daily haiku joy and a song from sharyn and mel with the hilarious made up stories..... then Cake Wrecks got blocked at my work. :-( So while I still see the posts through my email and laugh every day, it is much harder to comment from my phone. So I am now delurking like the rest above me. I read the post, thought it was HILARIOUS to poke fun at some of these things, and then thought about how BRILLIANT it was of you and Wilton to form a partnership!! GENIUS!! Then I got to the end and started thinking about what date it was. My conclusion was that it was likely a joke, but if not then "good for you" and fantastic/funny of Wilton! I never once thought about what a sponsor might mean to you or to the blog that I read everyday. I read other blogs and they have occasional sponsored posts and I read them and move on with life. Because I am a grown-up. If I like a sponsored post's recipe then I print it out, if not I move on. Some people need to grow the heck up and realize that life, the internet, other people's way of making a living or even making a joke is not about them.
From what I read (between the lines maybe) in your post today, your feelings are hurt that more of your readers didn't get it and don't know you better after all of this time. I am sorry that my post likely doesn't make that feel any better. However, I feel like I know you well enough (as well as one can through the internet) to know that no matter if that was a joke or reality, you would continue to put up a brilliant, funny, witty, post every single day that is laden with quotes from many of my favorite movies and a sarcastic quick wit that I can only ever aspire to. Do try not to let this get you down or eat at you. The people who "know" and "love" and respect you still will no matter what. Those that don't.... you don't need them anyway. You guys are both AWESOME!!! <3
It was pretty obvious to me it was a joke. I mean, come on, those are some seriously weird products. I would've thought it was a joke even if it wasn't April Fool's Day. Honestly, I bet the people who left angry comments just wanted to stir up drama like they do whenever they get offended by some random funny cake post. Most of your readers probably got the joke and just didn't comment.
As for the joke itself, so many blogs I used to read turned into EXACTLY what you were making fun of, and believe it or not the advertising was as blatant as in your post. Pretty funny.
Hi Jen & John,
Another mostly silent reader checking in... been reading you guys since '09 or '10 at least. You're part of my daily routine on weekdays. I'm a teacher, and visiting CW for a few minutes during my lunch is part of my all-too-brief relax and wind down time before my little darlings come back to class. Over the years there've been other blogs in the mix, but they've all either stopped posting or gone corporate by now.
Sorry for taking you for granted for so long. I do know you're real people (I've popped in on your epbot blog now and then... just enough to become sufficiently jealous of your steampunk decor and your close proximity to Disney World...) But I'm guilty of never expressing appreciation for what you do. New material almost without fail every weekday & Sunday morning by 9 am for years and years... thank you!
Please, please, please keep it up. You guys rock! Your site rocks! (And, you're also the reason I gave in without hesitation to my husband's request a few years ago that we offer an ice cream buffet at our wedding reception rather than order a cake! Sorry for not adding another "what they ordered/what they got" pic for your archives...but you really did save me one headache in my wedding plans.)
Take care, chin up, and know your real fans ❤ you!
WTF? (What the Frosting?) I just found this post and cannot believe it...and am deeply saddened. I won't rant on about how this is a humor blog and how it was done on April first or how a dead giveaway should have been the word "Perefessionals" (don't they have the book???) or how incredibly fantastic you both are...I don't think it would matter: there will always be unkind people looking to lash out. You don't deserve that. As you can see from the hundreds of comments above, you are loved. You make people laugh, you allow people to add their own humor (and I'm thankful for that), and you have touched lives, mine included. I have written before about how your book and blog brought laughter back into my life after my wife died. I know that it is hard -- no, impossible -- to ignore the stinging comments and to depersonalize them. You are too innocent and sensitive for that. Rather, let us look at the Sunday Sweets and enjoy the rainbows, and find our pots of gold: for you, it is the legion of faithful fans who love and support you, whether they are silent or not; for me, it is Cake Wrecks.