During the first couple years of our LaDy LaDuke handmade business, we must have given away close to 100 Feeder Frock nursing covers.
Giveaways on Mom blogs were one of the least expensive ways to get our product in the hands of our potential customers, and when you're new, you need the most exposure for the least amount of money you can find.
Previously, I wrote about this topic, and overall found giveaways to be very beneficial to our business. I still recommend them to any new business, but now I'm taking another look at giveaways with a little more experience under my belt.
I'm looking at those review/giveaway requests piling up in my e-mail thinking, maybe not this time, and I really don't have time, and am I now a blog snob?
Yes...if "blog snob" is not coined yet, it is now!
So, what is a blog snob?
A blog snob is a newly arrived blogger on the scene, who has learned a few tricks, and now thinks she has elevated status.
The nice thing about being a blog snob is that you can admit that you are being one, thereby diffusing that snobbish power over you.
Now, back to humble.
There is definitely a benefit to having your own blog, and learning and working in that trade. I now know things that I never knew before, and that really help me in making business decisions. If I'm looking at a site's media kit for advertising, I at least know what all of those stats mean now, and can gauge if advertising with them is a worthwhile expense.
I also know what it's like to be the host of a giveaway, which gives me that added perspective and understanding.
Actually, the Mom blog and product reviews/giveaways go hand in hand. Both sides need each other, and this is where we should all try to be extra thoughtful.
I've had a few bad experiences with some bloggers doing giveaways, who never thanked me, copied and pasted our product descriptions, and didn't even link to any of our sites or social media. This is unfortunately the guilt by association syndrome that spreads like a vicious rumor among companies and artists, who will then run far away from any of our blogging requests.
There are unfortunately, bloggers who just want the free stuff, and think that by having a blog period, entitles them to it.
This is always in the back of my mind, when I'm taking that extra time in my day to sew a special Feeder Frock for that special blogger, who wrote to me about how thrilled she was to find us, and that she can help us grow our business, and tell all of her friends.
How can I turn her down?...Don't ever burn a bridge.
Almost all of the time, she really is grateful, and does a great job reviewing and running the giveaway. Only rarely was I abused.
We are just people after all behind these businesses and blogs doing product reviews and giveaways, and if we both keep that in mind, we can still have a successful, prosperous relationship.
You promise to appreciate my efforts and time, and I will promise to not be a blog snob.
~Courtney
Courtesy of atfirstglance.info
20 comments:
I get that. Be a snob, I will still follow you. If we weren't snobs every once in awhile, we wouldn't be able to set standards. Keep on keeping on! XO
I think I actually am a bit of a blog snob but in a different way. I don't agree to review every single offer that comes to my inbox. I did and it bit me in the backside every single time. Now, I really have to focus on if it fits in with my ethos. I think this has to be one of the most fabulous pieces you have ever written!
Val, you're right about the standards. Thank you! When I clicked on publish on this one, I thought, oh boy, I'm not sure about this. But honesty is always the best policy, especially in blogging;)
Jacqueline, you made my day! Thank you so much! I didn't think of it on the other side like that.
hmm..learnt a new word today.
Hmmm...funny to hear that some bloggers didnt bother to thank and link your company up when you give them things. It's just so rude. At least to show appreciation by linking back .
I know Kucing. One of them was a real surprise...a top blogger with a huge following. I still catch her Facebook posts here and there, and kind of wonder why she does have such a following??
I admit that I am a Blog Snob. I have turned down reviews and guest posts before. But I think that every blogger needs to be a snob to some degree or they lose their brand and what makes them special. Being a Blog Snob sort of comes with the territory of setting standards. So, go ahead and be a snob! I'll still follow you!
I too loved this post! Since I write an essay I was a blog snob in a different way. I never really had much interest in giveaway sites but then as I followed more and more really great bloggers who did giveaways that were meaningful I really came to appreciate them. I have even been swayed to a product because a blogger I trust liked it. I think you have to be a bit of a snob. I recently did my first giveaway and honestly I would never have done it had I not seen how you and some of the other great ladies we know have handled it. It's funny that some people didn't do what was promised because when I did mine I felt such a responsibility to the product and it wasn't even a craft business such as yourself. I guess there are always going to be some spoilers in the bunch. Another great reason to be a bit of a snob. Your time and talent is very precious!!! Thanks for a great post and thanks for running a really top notch site!!
Doing reviews and give aways is a big job and takes a lot of time and thought. Like Kathy, I've benefited from reading what people have written in their reviews, and appreciate their honesty!
Yes Becky Jane, if everyone was as thoughtful as our vB community, there would be no bad reputations out there;) Having experience on both sides has shown me it's definitely a 2 way street, but I would say the sponsor not only invested her time and thought, but cost as well. That would be the difference of the two. And only one of them will remain standing, with no money coming in.
Thanks Tykes and Kathy! I'm glad I'm not the only blog snob!;)
I LOVE this post! I'm a hodge podge blogger, so I blog about a large variety of topics, but I also do product reviews and host giveaways. I originally started as simply an Etsy Artisan, so when I expanded and started blogging, it opened up an entire new world for me! yes, it's amazing how differently you choose blogs to review your products when you actually understand what the numbers in the media kit mean. I also look for how active the readers are on a site; how many comments they get on their giveaways. I've done a few reviews, and got burned on them until I started looking closer at the quality of their reviews. I now read a bloggers reviews before I allow my product to be reviewed by them; I want to make sure the way they review their products fits with how I want my products highlighted.
I have also come across a lot of reviewing blogs that basically all they do is say, "hey, I got this product for free...this is what they do, go buy it!" and I didn't know any more about it than what the manufacturer says. I don't know how well it performs it's desired task, I don't know how long it lasts before it breaks, etc and it drives me nuts. So I always try to include what I'd like to read in a review in the reviews I do. Sure, my reviews are more lengthy than others, but my hope is that I will help my readers know if this product will be a great fit for their home. It definitely takes more time; bit these companies/artisans are trusting me to help them reach new customers that will really enjoy their product and be loyal once they start shopping.
So sometimes I think I find I have become a little blog snob too on both the blogger side, and as a creator looking for a blogger to write about my products.
JadeLouise Designs
But you're a likable blog snob! :) I thought this post and the comments were so interesting to read! I haven't done reviews yet, so I hadn't thought about it before, but I can see how that would be so frustrating.
I would say you're very blog smart. :)
Amber, I think it's great that you are lengthy and thoughtful on your reviews.
I once offered a huge coupon to a blogger instead, because a lot of times, I know they just want a Feeder Frock, and don't want to buy one. Maybe this could be another option in this sponsor/blogger exchange? Just cover my costs as a sponsor, and you still get a product and a review/material on your blog? I might try this more in 2012.
Grumpy, I like that...blog smart...thank you!;)
You make a really simple point: this whole blogging thing relies heavily on a social aspect. If you don't exert the effort to build relationships with other blogs then you'll be avoided like the plague.
People forget that there's a real human side to this vast internetsphere (I may have just coined a term, I think). Making friends and keeping them makes you go along way. And of course, you have to be sincere about it.
As a blogger who is interested in doing reviews, this was really insightful. I would never want to come across as simply wanting something for free. I want to review products that I genuinely love and that my readers would love - getting it for free or discount is a side benefit and part of that I-need-to-do-something-to-bring-in-income thing.
I agree with you and everyone else, you do need to be a bit of a snob to remain true to yourself and your identity as a blogger and artisan. Great post!
I think you've coined the phrase "blog snob," and your definition is perfect! Just the other day, I was telling someone that blogging is just like any other job...you have to pay your dues up front & be a "gopher"!
Anne, I like that "internetsphere"...good one!
The last thing we all want are thoughtless mom bloggers bringing the rest of us down, right!
Christina, I think you are incapable of treating anyone disrespectfully, and your readers trust you, so you are perfect for doing reviews.
Budget, so true, and we will all pay dues in some way or another right up to the end;)
very interesting but i would never call you a snob : ) very happy i came across your blog through katherines corner : ) looking forward to more wonderful posts... wishing you and yours a fabulous new year...your newest follower...andrea from thecottagemarket.com
Everyone you deal with on the internet is a risk. I guess it's just something you have to be aware of, but deal with.
Blog snob,never! I don't see anything wrong with passing on reviews, etc. As for the giveaways 90 % of my giveaways are prizes I've purchased specifically to give as gift in the giveaways. I am always excited if someone offers a prize in exchange for a review, etc. But it must be well suited to the readers of Katherines Corner. Thank you for linking up at Thursday Favorite things at Katherines Corner xo
Oh Yeah!!! I am 1000% on your side. It is all well and good to aim to be the most visited blog and be the premiere site, but at what cost? I love reviews and giveaways but I have turned down many because they did not suit my blog. The blog is yours and you are the boss.
Post a Comment