A right to respond – bloggers vs blaggers!
This weekend has been a busy one in the blogging community, from Sian’s post Mummy bloggers beware to Helen’s post Bloody Pr’s and blagging bloggers to Joanne’s The journalists perspective. I thought I’d stick my two penny worth in as I have been thinking about it over the weekend.
I have asked for specific items for review and I expect I will do again. However I don’t think that makes me a blagger but I am trying to make something of my blog. I spend hours writing, reviewing and reading other blogs. If I see a product I think is interesting and a press release is on Kids4Media I may email asking if there are any samples in exchange for a review. Equally I have lots of emails with press releases sent to me some I follow up others I don’t, but it doesn’t bother me if its irrelevant I just hit delete or pass it on to someone it might suit.
For me reviewing started as one of the Toyologists for Toys R Us last year and I think this campaign was so widespread other people thought oohh I maybe able to get involved in something similar. Blogging is a hobby, but I find myself sitting at home after being forced to into taking a year off work due to Erin’s treatment and if I can make some money from sponsored posts, advertising and get some products that I review I will do it, but I put the hours in. My time is what I am selling, the time it takes to test and write up, photo or vlog. I am not blagging a freebie!
A few of the comments have made me chuckle this weekend, such as I have never asked …. really because I think you have! It may not be blatent sending a email through RS or K4M but I know lots of bloggers that have directly contacted PR’s and agencies asking to be put on lists of bloggers and introducing themselves that way. I certainly did and from the many threads on bloggers forums I bet lots of others have! I also ‘follow’ some PR’s on twitter hoping that they read my blog and maybe a relationship will develop.
I have noticed that quite a few compers have now started blogs, I myself was very into comping two years ago and that is how I first found blogs and I expect its the same for others. Some may have thought, cut out the middle man of the competition, write a blog and have access to the PR that way – however it’s not that easy. Everyone who has maintained a blog knows that it takes time and hours to develop a blog, it is not a short cut and anybody that thought it was probably falls by the wayside very quickly.
One interesting comment has been that no one really likes reading reviews – well my top three ever posts in terms of hits are all reviews, Quinny, Graco and storycubes. They may not attract comments and the interaction but they do attract readers. Yes yes they may not come back, be loyal Emma and 3 readers, bounce rate etc but they do come to read these reviews regularly.
I will keep doing what I do, I enjoy it and I like reviewing and I also like writing about my family and the things we get up to. Besides I have got time on my hands now I am a stay at home mum so if anyone wants to send me some lovely bits and pieces – carry on!!
14 Responses
I think I’m in exactly the same camp as you.
I was a ‘comper’ previously (still am I guess) and that’s what got me into reading blogs in the first place. I got hooked in the blog world and thought I’d give it a try myself.
I did comment on Sian’s blog that I have never asked for anything specific – what I mean by that is I have never sent a direct email to a PR or company saying I’d like you to send me so-and-so.
I take your point though, I do follow PRs on Twitter, I do respond to requests asking for reviewers and I may try and position myself so I can open up a conversation with someone in the hope that it leads to a relationship. Isn’t that what happens in the wider world? :0)
You’re right, blogging takes a lot of time and effort and it’s certainly not a ticket to a free ride.
Yes and I think that is what lots of us do.
Well said! I am a carer for my disabled child I can’t go out to work so this is a way of not only putting a smile on our faces but helping financially! Upsets me that people judge for trying to get by. Glad someone else thinks like me. Great post!
Thanks for your comment. Finding your own way is important.
Great blog! And true,I’m just starting out and have done a couple of reviews which I really enjoyed.but after reading all about this being called a blagger,I daren’t ask companies,even though I would happily send back their item! X
As long as your comfortable – do it your way.
I’m of the opposite viewpoint. Whereas I think it is great that bloggers can get stuff in exchange for blog posts, I think going out and asking for stuff isn’t great. Let them come to you, you’ll enjoy it even more.
I guess for some it is a way of putting your blog out there. Introducing and networking in much the same way you would in employment.
Thank you very much for linking to my post. I also find that reviews are amongst the most popular posts on my blog in terms of number of hits. They don’t tend to attract a lot of comments, but somebody somewhere is definitely reading.
Yes there are definately readers out there!
I think some people get a bit worried to admit actively seeking out PRs and a relationship with them. I am as happy to engage with brands and PRs as I am with bloggers and non bloggers. If on ocassion I am lucky enough to be given something, then I’m human and also not made of money, if its something I can make use of then I’ll say yes. If its not, I’ll offer it to someone else to review for me. I also dont like the attitude that its a freebie- I know I’m not the only one who has been sent an email to follow up when my review will be posted. I have to keep my stats, Klout and other rankings going, and my twitter numbers happy, or no one will contact me. Its like having a full time job for which I get paid almost nothing for except the odd product. Its a matter of personal choice- I took reviews off my personal blog to give the purists who preferred reading about my day to day the chance to visit the reviews separately. If they don’t wish to know my kids reaction to a toy, or Elder’s reaction to a gadget, thats fine! Bloggers need to remove the notion of what is and isn’t acceptable in blogging, and do what we all want.
Fab post hun! I too feel like you, it’s all getting slightly too much! I think a lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon and making the whole situation seem quite pathetic. Established bloggers and reviewers take it seriously and I completely agree that it is our time that in effect is being bought. Reviewing does take time out from our family, albeit if our family are reviewing it means we aren’t doing something else. We then have to write our review and then publish and then promote. I really do not think that some of the newbies see that side of it, they unfortunately see that they can get “free things”… news flash… they certainly aren’t free! The QuinnyCasters campaign was fantastic and maybe other bloggers did not see how much hard work went into that, though every month we had a special assignment to complete and we certainly worked hard for our fantastic prams. On the blogging side I am taking a back seat at the moment due to personal reasons and when the time comes that I feel comfortable to blog about it all I will. Until then I will no doubt be updating the SFR site, especially with Christmas approaching fast. I am always more than happy to promote product and companies that I like and believe in and will showcase information, without requesting products or money for this, I do it funnily enough, out of the goodness of my own heart. Some may agree with this some may not but hey at the end of the day it is my site and my blog! I am aware of Response Source but can genuinely say that I have never used it to send out requests, I definitely find building up relationships with PR’s and companies over a long period more beneficial. Just hoping this all quietens down soon!
Oh yes, I had forgotton how much time the quinny casters assignments had taken! So glad to see I am not the only one who recognises they are not freebies!
Thank you! I have felt a little disheartened by the whole thing recently and i’m glad that someone is sticking up for reviewers! My top posts are reviews on pushchairs, every day I get hits on the Easywalker and the Jane pushchair reviews because both of those aren’t very common and people are searching for opinion. I know that when I am on the market for a new pushchair I always read reviews to see how they function in real life. Fair enough there are some blogs out there that bang out review after review of stuff that isnt even relevant to their family but why should we all be tarred with the same brush! PR’s should stop moaning about “blaggers” and start being stricter. Perhaps reading the Blogs and asking for stats of Blogs that they get requests from rather than dishing out willy nilly!