Reviews & Ridiculousness
This review stuff (for lack of a better word) is beginning to get ridiculous.
Last week I received an email asking me to review a product. So I took my time and looked the product over like I normally do when I'm interested in a product then I emailed the rep back telling them that we would be interested if they could mail a sample. I received a reply that they would need the sample back, and since they knew these weren't my terms could I please just review the image of the product instead. What?????????????????
At this point I had to take a step back. I was furious. Let me get this straight - You want me to mail back a piece of plastic that is worth no more than a few dollars? Huh? And, if I can't go by those rules - you want me to review an image? Are you freaking kidding me? I mostly politely declined but really wanted to say what was on my mind.
Is there a Mom out there that would agree to do this? And, if so then blogging as we know it is over. We can kiss the possibility of ever getting an advertisement goodbye.
I don't know where I'm going with this post. All I know is that email really made me stop and think about this whole review situation. I'm not saying that I'm going to totally quit accepting products for review but it is not what I am about. Furthermore, I'm also not saying that every PR company is like the one mentioned above. I've worked with and continue to work with some great companies. I've also worked with some horrible companies that either just don't get it or just don't care.
Overall, my biggest problem is that these greedy billion dollar companies think they can buy us for a bag of chips and a roll of toilet paper. And, they will as long as we let them. If we continue to blog for all this free stuff then there's no need for advertising. IT IS the advertising, and we are doing it for free. These are the same companies that act like they are truly interested in Moms. Are they really?Labels: mommy bloggers, reviews gone bad
This review stuff (for lack of a better word) is beginning to get ridiculous.
Last week I received an email asking me to review a product. So I took my time and looked the product over like I normally do when I'm interested in a product then I emailed the rep back telling them that we would be interested if they could mail a sample. I received a reply that they would need the sample back, and since they knew these weren't my terms could I please just review the image of the product instead. What?????????????????
At this point I had to take a step back. I was furious. Let me get this straight - You want me to mail back a piece of plastic that is worth no more than a few dollars? Huh? And, if I can't go by those rules - you want me to review an image? Are you freaking kidding me? I mostly politely declined but really wanted to say what was on my mind.
Is there a Mom out there that would agree to do this? And, if so then blogging as we know it is over. We can kiss the possibility of ever getting an advertisement goodbye.
I don't know where I'm going with this post. All I know is that email really made me stop and think about this whole review situation. I'm not saying that I'm going to totally quit accepting products for review but it is not what I am about. Furthermore, I'm also not saying that every PR company is like the one mentioned above. I've worked with and continue to work with some great companies. I've also worked with some horrible companies that either just don't get it or just don't care.
Overall, my biggest problem is that these greedy billion dollar companies think they can buy us for a bag of chips and a roll of toilet paper. And, they will as long as we let them. If we continue to blog for all this free stuff then there's no need for advertising. IT IS the advertising, and we are doing it for free. These are the same companies that act like they are truly interested in Moms. Are they really?
Last week I received an email asking me to review a product. So I took my time and looked the product over like I normally do when I'm interested in a product then I emailed the rep back telling them that we would be interested if they could mail a sample. I received a reply that they would need the sample back, and since they knew these weren't my terms could I please just review the image of the product instead. What?????????????????
At this point I had to take a step back. I was furious. Let me get this straight - You want me to mail back a piece of plastic that is worth no more than a few dollars? Huh? And, if I can't go by those rules - you want me to review an image? Are you freaking kidding me? I mostly politely declined but really wanted to say what was on my mind.
Is there a Mom out there that would agree to do this? And, if so then blogging as we know it is over. We can kiss the possibility of ever getting an advertisement goodbye.
I don't know where I'm going with this post. All I know is that email really made me stop and think about this whole review situation. I'm not saying that I'm going to totally quit accepting products for review but it is not what I am about. Furthermore, I'm also not saying that every PR company is like the one mentioned above. I've worked with and continue to work with some great companies. I've also worked with some horrible companies that either just don't get it or just don't care.
Overall, my biggest problem is that these greedy billion dollar companies think they can buy us for a bag of chips and a roll of toilet paper. And, they will as long as we let them. If we continue to blog for all this free stuff then there's no need for advertising. IT IS the advertising, and we are doing it for free. These are the same companies that act like they are truly interested in Moms. Are they really?
Labels: mommy bloggers, reviews gone bad
Permalink posted by PetiteMommy at 6:56 PM
16 Comments:
I had a pr firm send me an email last week saying "Please post this release on your blog." I sent a note back to the effect of "I don't post random news on my blog, if your client is interested in working w/ me, to let me know." Like we're their free billboard service.
That said, you should've said what you really thought.
I completely agree! I have worked with Mommy Bloggers who have reviewed my preschool curriculum. I would never expect them to post a review based on a picture or what they have read from my website. That is ridiculous and not a review at all.
I actually enjoy reading the reviews. They give me valuable insight that helps me with future product development.
Thank you for your values and standards!
I can understand asking for product back when an individual is approached by a blogger that they've never heard of wanting to review their product, but a PR firm that approached you... Insane!
I've known individuals that asked repeatedly for samples for review, only to keep samples and never intended to review, but when a company approaches you to review, it's in poor taste to ask for the product back. Asking you to review a picture is even more distasteful.
Thanks for standing tall and in charge of YOU! Totally agreed with your post. It does get ridiculous when we just become another ticket to the almighty dollar. Thanks for not letting that happen. This shouldn't happen on our blogs or anywhere else in our lives for that matter.
ooops....left off my identity.
No one can buy you for a bag of chips if you're not selling.
@Jill - Oh I get those too. Annoying. I wish I felt like I could.
@Tara - Thanks.Is ridiculous for sure.
@Angela - sometimes I don't post reviews of samples if I dont like them. I share only good or mostly good reviews (things we really like)on our site
@I'm trying to do this. Thanks for your comment.
@Mom101 - exactly. This is the biggest issue to be dealt with. I'll be the first to admit however that its hard to say to some stuff. I've gotten better though at saying no.
Oops. I meant @Lyd and I also meant that it's hard to say no. :)
I finally added an advertising page to my site to direct people to. The number of emails I received with press releases to post and products to review based on press releases was ridiculous. I have no desire to work with companies that can't invest in me.
Now, I'll be honest. I can understand them wanting us to send back an expensive camera -- but a couple dollars worth of plastic -- no way!
Large corporations will always take the path of least resistance; it's how they are structured. Please don't let this bad experience ruin it for the rest of us who do respect the blog community and, as best we can, follow the rules - written or otherwise.
It is entirely possible to blog all year long without mentioning a product. I have children, I don't need press releases.
I'd ask moms to politely but firmly decline the opportunity to work for free... as attractive as it may sound. :)
@corrin. I don't do press releases ever..unless it's really on topic like a contest or sweeps. I'd be doing those anyway.
@Lisa. I've always opted out of those. Too much of a hassle for me to send back and what if I broke it?
@David Thanks for your comment. I'm glad some still care. :)
@Jessica G Thanks for your thoughts on this discussion. Always appreciated for keeping it real.
Thanks everyone for your comments. This is a great discussion.
Furthermore, let's say a large corporation sent me a few bags of chips. I tasted them, passed them around to my family, talked about them to family, took professional photos, reviewed them on my blog, and provided a link to them -all for less than a $1. Is that fair to me? Honestly, no it isn't.
I don't think asking for money to review something is the answer. I'm not saying that at all with my post. All I'm saying is that both sides (PR & mom bloggers/mom business owners) should benefit equally. This is all still so new - but as a business owner (not a mom blogger) whose beenworking hard for nearly 6 years, I feel a bit like I'm being taken advantage of.
Yes, the problem is that as long as bloggers continue to say, "Sure! I'll review your high res image!" or whatever, this nonsense will not cease to stop.
I posted a trio of really unbelievably bad PR outreach over at my personal blog http://popdiscourse.com/ -- spanning pay for play, being chastised for not posting a crappy press release, and being expected to pimp your readers and your likeness for no compensation. It's really unbelievable.
-Christine
I got annoyed by this...a company sent me a product for review, which I used and reviewed. They later wrote to me to ask if I'd do a give-away with said product to increase traffic to their site, and then said "You still have the item to give-away, right?"
So they wanted me to give away a used item that I already reviewed with links to their web-site, that was donated to me specifically for a review, and to pay to ship it. All expenses and work on me, all benefits, exposure on them. Um, what?
I can't even understand a company asking for a pricier item back...you can't sell a used item, what is the point of giving it for a review if you want it back? This means the reviewer has really no incentive to write the review. If you don't feel it's worth the investment, don't offer the item for review on that particular blog.
Bottom line, if they want the product back then they should PAY YOU FOR THE POST. We aren't here to pimp out our blogs, people, and if we decide to do reviews then we better get something out of it. For Heaven's sake!
Nell
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