If you’re a woman, have kids, and blog, you probably get a fair amount of these:
We’re hoping that your readers will be as excited about this (see list above) as we are. Do you think that you could do a post about (see list above) for us? Make sure to use this (trackable bit.ly link, coupon code, other information gathering device) when you post and let us know when your post is live.
Please make sure to post this on (x date) prior to the (see list above) and follow up with a post on (y date). Please be sure to include the attached (banner, stock photo, widget, gizmo etc) and link to our site.
We’d also appreciate it super much if you would tweet the following message (something to the effect of “I’d drop my knickers for xyz”) and be sure to include the (link, coupon code etc). We’re so appreciative of your help assisting us to get the word out!
Thanks so much,
XXX
(aka the intern who has no idea who you actually are, or what your blog is about)
It’s so easy to tell which girls went all the way in high school. They’re the ones who got this letter in their inbox, immediately said “sure!” and rehashed the email and six attachments on their blog. They also posted the tweet about how they’d drop their knickers. Everyone got the message. Or I should say, the ad.
When faced with this sort of email, I recommend what I’d like to call the “Gottlieb approach”. Send them a simple response along the lines of : “that looks like an advertisement, would you like to buy ad space?”
The difference between Jessica and most other mom bloggers (other than how controversial she is)? She gets paid.
There is a fine, and often treacherous line between a press release and and a request for unpaid advertising. And it can be hard for new bloggers to identify this. We all want to be admired and recognized. So when the star quarterback pats you on the bum and gives you a wink, it’s easy to get swept away. Next thing you know though, you could find yourself under the bleachers, doing unsavory things you know you don’t feel great about, and that you have to keep secret, just to stay on the guest list of the next great event.
Listen up and listen good: The star quarterback probably doesn’t know your name. He’s never read your blog. He’s not interested in how amazing you are. In fact he really doesn’t give a crap about you. He’s using you, for as long as you will “put out”. As will every PR agency and brand and parenting “network” if you give them the chance.
It’s easy to blame them for your victimization. But at the end of the day, it’s not just their fault. It’s your own as well. It’s important that you know your boundaries and stick to them. Just like you made a pact with your friends in Jr High that you wouldn’t go to 3rd base until xyz happened, make a pact with your fellow bloggers that you won’t post free ads. If you don’t respect yourself, why should anyone respect you back? If you settle for appreciation, you can never expect compensation.
If you are on the PR/Marketing side of this equation, and the above letter looks like something you regularly send out - shame on you! And good for you…I guess. I can’t blame you for finding the easy types who are willing to put out. That’s very economical of you. Also very sleazy. So while I congratulate you on your prowess I really can’t like or respect you. You’ll be discovered in the end. Word gets around about sleazebags. Sure there will always be sluts to prey on, but you’re going to need a good girl eventually. Good girls know that a mensch buys his date dinner at least a few times before he tries to get in her pants.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Love the high school analogy you put on this issue! I just started my mom blog a month ago so no one has approached me yet BUT I’ve been in marketing 10 years now. This crapola happens way too often! I think marketing and PR are one of those things that anyone thinks they can do but few can do well. It’s embarrassing that this keeps happening but like you said, it’s because bloggers take the bait! Kinda like those gross “get whiter teeth” ads– SOMEONE has got to be clicking on them; otherwise, they would have stopped wasting their time!
Love the high school analogy…great piece.
Exactly.
And maybe what we need to talk about is a proper beginner compensation. Because a lot of bloggers getting hit-on don’t know where to start. They’re already knocking their knees, terrified of asking for compensation and have no idea what to do. So as the football team notes who the easy ones are, some brave moms may be trying hard to get away from the easy clique, but don’t know how.
I’m not saying I should announce my ad rates to the world. But I am thinking a guide would be helpful, right?
Perfectly said. Hopefully this analogy will sink in, because unfortunately, the girls who went all the way usually weren’t the smartest ones around either.
Yes!!!
LOVE the Gottlieb Approach and I learned all about it at SITScation as well. I learned that I’m on the “Prude Approach”…as I delete every one of those emails without a response at all.
I’ve never liked the football players, but I do like the concept of getting money out of them for ad space…time to revise my response plan.
This was a great post for us bloggers getting the urge to start shomping at the bit to be compensated for their writing…cough cough might be me. Ha! Now I know to Gottlieb their asses.
Chomping. Spell check, hello?!
Great posting … love the analogy…and that there is such a thing as “The Gottlieb Approach” - I think it should be a new movement to keep us newbies in the loop about best practices and what NOT to “settle” for….
I promise I will NEVER do this to you!!!!
This is so well written and so very true. I am astounded at how many “press releases” I get every day. I usually just delete, but it’s amazing the balls these people have to assume I want to waste blog space telling my readers about some random iphone ap or baby blanket or sparkling cider or or or . . . the list goes on. It’s frustrating, and makes me want to remove my email from my blog altogether, because I just dread going to my inbox these days and having to weed through the solicitations.
Well put! I receive many press releases also. I have responded to a few and asked that same question, “Would you like to buy ad space?”. I had one company tell me that there was not room in their budget, only to receive another press release the following week.