Having been in the Web field for a few years now, I have come to meet a few people, especially after Paris Web and all the conferences I attended.
Among them are people who sell products or services. So when someone asks me for advice about something and what my friends sell is relevant – of course–, I suggest to have a look at their solutions.
Someone recently said: “Oh but I see, you want to promote your friends’ work.”
This was an awkward chicken and egg moment.
I do not promote their work because they are my friends, no; actually it’s the other way around: we became friends because of mutual respect and admiration for each other’s work. So, naturally, I advise people to use what they sell because I believe in it for its intrinsic qualities and because I trust these people.
It’s weird how you have to defend yourself unexpectedly, sometimes.