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I reached out to some amazing bloggers that I am happy to have as friends on your behalf. I asked them, “What is the one thing you wish someone had told you when you started working with PR?” and boy did they deliver! From post worthy comments to some of the best one lines of advice, here is what those who have “made it” have to tell you as you start this journey:
Brands need you!… you don’t need brands!
Don’t be afraid to ask for a giveaway when you are doing a review. Keep it simple “My policy is only to do a review if I do an associated giveaway. Would you be able to provide one for a giveaway?”
Remember-your time is worthwhile-you should only do things that give value to you and your blog.
Its ok to not like a product- brands that do social media right, appreciate your honesty and try to use your feedback on improving their product… and if they don’t have that outlook with their reviewers, eh- Who needs them?
Your readers come back to your site because of the content you write about, if its not relative- its ok to say no. There will be plenty, and I mean PLENTY of relative pitches coming your way. Don’t get side tracked
Do not agree to review a product and then drop the ball. When you do, it not only makes you look bad- it makes the entire blogging community look like sample-whores.. which we are not.
More advice coming next week. What do you think? Agree with the above? Have some advice of your own? Speak out in the comments!
I completely agree with all the comments. It tears me up to see bloggers that blog for only free samples. Standards need to be set and make it worth while for your readers. If you don't have babies and don't blog about them, why would you review a newborn baby bottle and give one away on your blog?(not you but in general)My recent post Why Would I Blog For You?
I am constantly shocked by the number of pitches that I get that are so far from my target audience and shocked that bloggers take these opps.
Great useful advice here. Thanks much. I wish I could add to the advice, but I'm a novice at this just doing my second giveaway today.My recent post GIVEAWAY Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents by Karin Piper
Great useful advice here. Thanks much. I wish I could add to the advice, but I'm a novice at this just doing my second giveaway today.My recent post GIVEAWAY Charter Schools: The Ultimate Handbook for Parents by Karin Piper
I usually say 6-8 weeks for an unpaid review. BUT I also say that I am really busy and non paying reviews are done on a first come basis with priority given to anything my family finds super cool. Yes, I put it just like that 😛
I love your response, and I just might have to use that 🙂
These are great. One I also like to remember is that honesty is king. To my reviewers but also to the companies. I don't do a ton of giveaways, but I had one recently that, upon getting it, I realized wasn't really a fit for me. To even try to do a review would have been dishonest because it wasn't a product I would ever use. I let the company know that I didn't feel it would serve my readers or them well for me to review it. And I offered to return it (which they took me up on). But I felt much better about the whole deal.My recent post Child Hunger Ends Here – What Am I Going To Do About It?
Since I'm new to the blogging community (7 months), I found this post to be helpful & informative. I've yet to do any reviews or giveaways, but definitely would keep them in line with my readership. I'm following you now to glean more great tips for new bloggers. Thanks for sharing!My recent post A fresh spring mix salad with balsamic vinaigrette