The mom blogosphere has been all abuzz lately with posts imploring bloggers to “know their worth.” Liz of Mom-101 initiated the dialog with her post entitled, “Nothing in life is free. Except, it seems, a mommyblogger.” She asked her readers to take charge and turn down offers of product and giveaways in return for blog space, stating “Even if you’re just starting out, even if you have 10 readers and two of them are your toddler twins, your time and effort and endorsement are worth something.”
I agree wholeheartedly. Your blog is your space in the world wide web– the only place that you get to make each and every decision. I ignore 99.9% of the pitches that make their way to my inbox. It’s insulting to be addressed by Ms. Scary and even more insulting for people to think that I would be willing to dedicate my time and energy for some crappy product in return. No, thank you. I’m worth more than that. And so are you.
But… You have to start somewhere.
I think it’s naive to think that the overall mommy blogging community has all that many options, especially when you are starting out and have “10 readers, two of whom are your toddler twins.” The climate is not the same as it was five years ago. There are thousands of blogs competing for the same ad space and the same opportunities. It takes time to become established and respectable enough to be able to demand actual money for your time and effort. And before you do, you need to get some experience under your belt. And that experience? It doesn’t pay all that much. You have to start somewhere.
I have been paid (well) for my services as a blogger, and I have worked in exchange for product. You know what? The box full of cake decorations that will last me for the next decade and pricey vacuum made me far happier than the money that I worked my ass of for that went towards gas and groceries. Yes, money is a great thing. In fact, I really could use more of it right about now. But, I don’t think there is anything wrong with supplementing that with a product here and there. I’m sorry, but free stuff is fun, and I like being able to pass it on to my readers.
So, yes, know your worth. Pick and choose what works for you. But, you don’t have to feel badly if you are willing to post a giveaway without getting too much in return. At least, I don’t. As long as you are behind your decisions, that’s all that really matters. To me, I mean.
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I love this post, especially after this last week. I had two different offers from PR people that essentially asked me to promote a giveaway and discount code (with their own copy, of course). But what did I get in return? NOTHING! I was so insulted. At least offer to pass along your crappy product for me to review!
I didn’t get into blogging for free stuff or money. I genuinely love to write about topics that interest me and connect with other bloggers. I already spend enough of my own time (and the time of my family) for blogging. If I’m going to use more of my time for a product review and giveaway, companies should at least have the decency to compensate me for that time.
So, yes, I agree with you and everyone else posted: mommy bloggers should not work for free!
-Aimee
.-= Aimee @ Ain’t Yo Mama’s Blog´s last blog ..Introducing Kids To (Live) Music =-.
Bravo! And thanks…for your willingness to speak up, the honesty of your opinion, and the obvious vote of confidence for each blogger’s ability to make a choice.
Sometimes I think other bloggers can “put us down” more than unscrupulous PR reps. I am sooooooo glad I read this, so, once again, thanks for sharing!
I agree with a lot of what you said. However, I do get frustrated with the whole subject for some reason. Maybe because of the bloggers (none specific in my mind as I write this) who feel that just because they simply exist & blog then they should be compensated in a way that bigger bloggers do. The whole social media frenzy and giveaways thing has put me off a bit. Bottom line, like you said, when someone is doing it for the right reason and it fits in to who they are as a blogger then I am cool with it. I am probably not articulating myself well right now but hey…..
Smooches.
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Triple Cheese Mushrooms =-.
P.S. When a jewelry company contacted me to request I link to their blog in exchange for a diamond ring of my choosing I said no and was slightly annoyed. What does a food blog have to do with that? I would feel like I was selling out or something you know? So when I DO see that elsewhere it’s a little frustrating.
What happened to the simple connections we came here for?
.-= Live.Love.Eat´s last blog ..Triple Cheese Mushrooms =-.
This is great. I agree that we all have value and shouldn’t give the milk away for free, BUT that means very different things to different people. Each of our blogs is so different and there for a different reason. I am very tired of receiving the Dear June emails…at least I am not addressed as Mrs. Scary!
ms. scary. heh heh.
the only reviews/giveaways i do right now are for things that i have used myself, or would use in a real-life situation. but then again, my blog is still relatively small. but i think your name/brand is very important, and it’s all too easy to diminish that, even unknowingly.
so my first line of defense is always research. google is my friend.
.-= alexis´s last blog ..the catheter is just a bonus. =-.
I agree with you..I am kind of new to the blogging world and love it. When people contact me for a review I find the free stuff great. To me that is worth my time of writing a post. I guess we all have to do what’s best for us right?
It takes a lot of time to post a product review and/or giveaway – but I’m with you on this one – IF it’s a product I’d want to have/try anyway, I’m more than willing to review it on my “baby” blog. I love to read, so I have a lot of book reviews lined up. But my blog is my personal space, and I work outside of the house, and I have a family, and I have to clean my house and I have to feed my children and read to them and play with them AND it’s summer, so the outside calls. I didn’t start my blog with the goal to be paid monetarily for it. BUT I’m not even going to reply to people who offer % off purchase or a ‘giveaway’ that’s not even really a giveaway, just a gc that won’t fully purchase even ONE product on their site. I’ve had pitches from people and gone to the site and said to myself, “I would NEVER visit this site on my own” and politely declined. You have to do what feels right for you, and not feel obligated to respond in the affirmative to every pitch that comes your way.
.-= Julie @ Knitting and Sundries´s last blog ..WINNER!! Toddler Brain Fun and Classic Storytime! =-.
We have conducted a preliminary study on this topic in article called:
What do Bloggers get paid for Sponsored Posts? Preliminary Study
We hope to get further blogger input in order to create a more comprehensive study!
http://www.stillblondeafteralltheseyears.com/2010/05/what-do-bloggers-get-paid-for-sponsored.html
.-= Still Blonde´s last blog ..What do Bloggers get paid for Sponsored Posts? Preliminary Study =-.
I agree completely. Different bloggers are looking for different things from blogging and they all blog for different reasons but essentially you decide where your effort goes. I like the confidence in that:)
.-= Angie @ Suburbia UNleashed´s last blog ..Friday Funnys =-.
Well said, and good advice. I do indeed look forward to a day where I’m offered something, anything, string, a bag of marbles, a half eaten cookie?
x
Paula
.-= adhocmom´s last blog ..Why Holidays Suck For Ad Hoc MOMS =-.
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