I never thought blogging would be so much hard work. I first started it as a hobby and a ministry. As my blog became more popular and getting more attention from the media I found I was constantly being contacted by companies for product reviews and giveaways. I thought how cool, this would be another way to help my readers. Then I found that the more I did, the more I found how companies were taking my readers and I for granted.
I do not feel comfortable pushing a product that I am not familiar with or that I have never tried.So I do not feel that it is too much to ask for a sample. I mean to me I would feel like I am lying to my readers if I had not actually tried the product myself and that is just not cool. I feel like I have built a relationship with my readers and I plan on it staying that way. Plus its more than just a review its building a long lasting personal relationship with that brand as well.
Sometimes I feel insulted when a brand approaches me and all they send is just a press release and nothing else. What am I supposed to do with that? No hi, how are you, with a set of instructions. Just a press release. My blog is not to be used of as free advertisement. Its for my readers! If I see something that is going to help my readers then I am all for posting it but I do not want my readers to feel like all I am doing is shoving advertisements down their throats.
My readers know that I do have some paid advertisements on my blog and they are all for it because they know its what keeps my blog going and also helps us pay for Daniel’s medical care(You can read the “About Us” for more info).
I also think its horrible when companies ask for personal information from my readers. That is a total invasion of privacy and I won’t do it! I had to turn down a really large prize this week because a company said the only way I could hold the contest is if I gave them all the information from the people who enter. Are you kidding me? Well that was a no brainer! I said no way!!! Obviously this company knows nothing about social media. While I am sad that I could not give this great prize away to a lucky reader , I think my readers will be more pleased that I said no and that they will know that I care about them and that they can trust me.(lol I hope most of you already know that)
While talking to other bloggers at SXSW and also on Twitter I found that I was not the only person that feels this way. So what do bloggers what companies to know?
1. Doing a giveaway is a lot of work. We sometimes have to process through hundreds of entries to make sure all rules have been followed. Not to mention all the technical emails and questions you get.
2. You cannot give an honest product review w/o ever have tried it or received a sample.
3. When you email a blogger your first email/pitch can make or break wether they want to work with you or not. Think clearly about what your offer is. This could be the big decision between you and the delete button!
4. Do not just send press release emails with no instructions or personal comments. We get 100′s of emails from companies all the time and we do have to pick and choose what we use because we cannot bog down our readers with this type of info. So make it worth your while, or should I say ours?
5. When asking for a product review or giveaway do not make the blogger have to come back to you to ask for a sample.
6. We will only blog about what feel comfortable with. Also be aware that we do post negative reviews as well. But most bloggers will contact you ahead of time to let you know. This keeps are reviews all the more real. Therefore you and our readers get more out of it!
Below is a list of comments that were given by some of the people I follow on Twitter.
We invite all of you to share your thoughts and comments as well.
cbusinessmoms@consumerqueen doesnt make a whole lot of business sense to expect a blogger to advertise your product without offering something in return.
cbusinessmoms@ConsumerQueen we’d be very disappointed in a company who wanted to do something like that. sounds like poor marketing practices to us.
beautyandbedlam@ConsumerQueen Also,we work hard to develop a relationship with our readers.It’s a trust issue. would never give out their info w/o permiss
beautyandbedlam@ConsumerQueen There needs to be a give and take unless it’s a charity, non profit, “cause oriented” organization.
beautyandbedlam@ConsumerQueen Would a TV or radio station give advertising for free? Never – you blog is your brand, and for many, your business.
malenalott@ConsumerQueen big bloggers should treat it like media. Charge cost per impression plus co. provide contest prize.
CEOAmbyBaby@ConsumerQueen Sounds like a free search for info. E-mail lists can be quite costly.
tjstaab@ConsumerQueen I would have turned down holding that contest too. You do not give our your readers details, it’s so wrong on so many levels
the_wild_gypsy@ConsumerQueen I’ve only done my own giveaways or ones with other small bloggers. I’d never be willing to give out my readers info.
CEOAmbyBaby@ConsumerQueen Go ahead. Sounds like a team- led by souls trying to be someone, instead of inventing something original or doing the work.
PRamble@ConsumerQueen Obviously they have no respect for privacy from what I gather of the convo.
ReizaM@ConsumerQueen Ohhh, giving away the info is too much. I would be livid if I found a blogger did that. Wouldn’t enter if that was required
aranarose@ConsumerQueen Exactly! I don’t think people realize the time and effort that goes into hosting a contest!
aranarose@ConsumerQueen That is so true! Even a *small* contest is very time consuming!
my2gs@ConsumerQueen I totally agree! Thanks for being one of the ethical ones!!! ❤
fringies@ConsumerQueen Interesting… I guess I should be more careful w/ blog contests I enter. I hope that everyone would do the same as you.
CPAMom
@ConsumerQueen this just happened to me. A very large company asked me to do s.th. 4 them w/ nothing 4 me (free advertising). Uh, no.
CEOAmbyBaby@ConsumerQueen That’s bold. Glad you stuck to your ethics.
aranarose@ConsumerQueen Then how is it worth my effort? How can I get excited enough to excite my readers about it?
CraftyMamaof4@ConsumerQueen Wow Thats crazy I would never give any info out! I also wont do a review unless I get the product.
jareason@ConsumerQueen no way would I do that either I think that is overstepping their boundaries
my2gs@ConsumerQueen Some people must not protect their readers b/c I sure get a lot of unsolicited email newsletters.
fringies@ConsumerQueen Yikes! That is asking too much. Thanks for protecting us!! 
workoutmommy@ConsumerQueen I tell companies that I can’t review a product I don’t own or use. same w/contests–how can we promote what we haven’t tried?
Questions or Comments? 
