Comments on: Don’t Do It For Free

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 22 May 2009 05:46:47 +0000

I totally agree. I blog for myself mostly — its my escape, but as I’ve promoted myself a little, I’ve always asked for a link and the two giveaways I’ve done have been for products that were given to me. I paid for shipping to the winner — but it was $1, so I’m OK with that.

I have some friends who adopt the attitude “every dollar I get from blogging (ads), I put back into it” — and I might start doing that. Or half or something.

Natalie´s last blog post..So I’m going camping at Spice World

By: Melitsa

Melitsa — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:14:30 +0000

Interesting. I don’t have a review blog or ask for reviews. I have been approached to review items and do if it’s appropriate to the readers of my blog.

When you’re talking about reviews here is everyone ( above my comment) meaning large brand companies ( Disney, Walmart etc)? or do you mean the little people too.

Do you distinguish between the new WAHM producing cool cloth diapers, trying to get her new business going by choosing the right people to ask for a review from the big diaper company with a huge brand and finances? Or does this apply universally to anyone who asks for a review?

The $10 product review from a large company is a different thing than a $10 product from a startup Cloth diaper making mom? Granted one gives more prestige than the other.

She may only have a few to give. Under this idea she’d not get a review.
I just wonder if this will eventually squeeze out the startups as most people plump for the larger brands with the money. “Daisy Diapers” (made up name) will have no chance of becoming known?

Melitsa´s last blog post..Tell me Thursday- Who knew?

By: Melanie Nelson

Melanie Nelson — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:49:09 +0000

Jendi, great advice! Having spent the last year developing (then taking a break from) my popular giveaway site, Bloggy Giveaways, I can tell you that if you do giveaways on a regular basis they are time consuming. Part of my guidelines at Bloggy Giveaways was that I didn’t do reviews. That meant I didn’t ask for free product (occasionally a vendor sent a thank-you, but I didn’t encourage it and I still didn’t review it). I wasn’t in it for the product and I preferred to be paid for my efforts. Here’s my main reason for that thinking: A giveaway is advertising. You have the audience the company wants to reach. If you didn’t, they wouldn’t be reaching out to you in the first place. It’s not untoward to ask to be compensated for advertising.

My personal opinion that worked for me is that I didn’t want product and I didn’t want to write reviews. The time it took to review the product, write the review, etc. was worth more than the product in most instances. Instead, I provided a platform for businesses to promote their products and asked them to pay for that platform.

If you want to write a review blog and receive product, think about whether you should be receiving product AND getting paid. (And then think about the brou-ha-ha going on right now about disclosure. Ugh.)

By: Debbie

Debbie — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:20:58 +0000

I’ve only had two reviews and the first had an abysmal response. The second was better. Both personally benefited me (I got the product free and it was appropriate for me) and it was fun to try. I did get some increased readership – temporarily – and I may do more if given the opportunity.

I have no idea how to measure my worth as a blogger / writer, either, so that’s an interesting question. I think bloggers – at times – just want to get more readers and do the things poeple say are successful. Weeding through the quality info can take time. Which is why I’m here with Moms Talk & Mom Masterminds!!!

Debbie´s last blog post..Where Does Your Food Come From?

By: Erin Hill

Erin Hill — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:54:49 +0000

It's hard...when you're a newbie like me, you just want to get your name out there and will do lots of freebies. But, I think there comes a time to say, "Hey! I'm worth more than this!" When do I hit that point? I have no idea... Erin Hill´s last blog post..Positive Person Of The Week: Tough Guy With A Big Heart