Thoughts on PR trips, Freebies and Sponsorship
There’s a lot of chatter about PR trips, freebies and paid blogging at the moment. I thought I’d add my own views, because that’s what us bloggers do isn’t it.
PR Trips
A few interesting conversations have come about recently, mainly off the back of the Disney trip. Should PR companies target bloggers. Should bloggers accept trips. Can reviews be trusted if the blogger has been lavished with freebies. It certainly seems to be on people’s minds as even when a journalist was interviewing me for the Times those very questions came up. Did you consider declining? Did you feel obliged to give a positive review? How did it fit with your other blog content?
When I accepted the Disney trip it was because I knew that it would be a good fit, after all I already have my own (paid!) trip to Disney looming and my tagline says “life, parenting and trying new things” I like to think that’s my clever way of covering all bases, but seriously, if you’re a parent blogger then Disney is definitely in your topic range .
Did I consider declining? Don’t be silly. An all expenses paid trip to Disney and the chance to hob nob with the some of the best British bloggers, I don’t think so. I’ve been writing this blog for three years, a little perk here and there is justified, no?
Then there’s the biggy, did I feel obliged to do a positive review? Eh, no. Yes, Disney flew me to Florida, they put me up in a 5 star resort, fed me gourmet food and paid my exorbitant wifi bill, but I didn’t sell my soul. I never once considered, before or after that I would need to write a positive review, in my mind a review that doesn’t find at least some constructive criticism of a product or destination is pretty useless anyway and probably fake. Disney World was no exception, there were things I thought could be better, I said it while I was there, and I’ll say it again here (eventually, when I get to that bit). It would be unnatural if everything we wrote was positive, Disney realised this when they decided to have no input into what we wrote, we had no word count, and no guidelines. The moment anyone asks anything other of me is the moment I’ll say no to the product or trip.
Freebies
Recently the British blogging scene has seen a big rise in the freebies for review, first there was the Lego Duplo, then the Disney DVD’s and Blu-Ray players and just today it’s been the Skoda test drives. As always the Americans are one step ahead of us, they’ve had the freebies for review for a while, the new trend is to start a seperate review blog for this type of thing, Suburban Turmoil (who was on the US Disney bloggers trip) was talking about it just today.
I don’t think we’re at that stage and I hope that we can navigate the waters more successfully so that this sort of thing is unnecessary. I don’t think that a seperate review blog really helps the marketers, the bloggers or the readers, is the point not that the freebies are used and trialled as part of everyday life?
Sponsorship
Finally there’s the question of having advertising on a blog, whether it be in the form of adsense or banner advertising (as you can see in my sidebar), some say that on a ‘mummy blog’ it’s distateful, yet others go further and accuse mum bloggers of cashing in on their role as a parent.
I disagree with this viewpoint and I don’t see that a few ads is really ‘cashing in’, it costs money to keep a website going and if you can make some of that back as far as I’m concerned that’s a good thing, because every penny that remains in this household goes towards things that make my daughter’s life more comfortable anyway.
So that’s my viewpoints on everything, what do you think?
Think you’ve said it all, Erica – well certainly as far as I’m concerned. My major area of concern (as a journalist) is that paid work (for magazines and papers) will vanish as PRs realise that bloggers are a far more effective way to spread the message!
They take a gamble when they take bloggers because, as a journalist, you have a brief and one which is bound to impart a positive spin (it’s just accepted that places and things you write about are good – otherwise why write about them?) Bloggers, however, delight in writing about the rubbish as well as the fabulous.
So PRs have to be very confident about their product to offer it to bloggers – either that, or they really don’t care, the old adage is that ‘any press is good press’ and it tends to be true.
Will bloggers be compromised by freebies? I don’t think so. Our readers are very sussed and can spot a puff a mile off. If we as bloggers turn into de facto PRs for a product our readers will vote with their feet.
Sorry, long ramble……
I hope we don’t follow the US path totally. I rather like that Disney took the step of inviting cynical bloggers as well as ardent fans (you!) – it was clever as it judged the UK market rightly as far more sophisticated and, yes, downright suspicious.
However I also think that PRs have to be careful and focus their sights keenly. I am not sure about the idea of Butlins bringing a whole train of mummy bloggers down to Bognor. The blogosphere is going to be awash with Butlins and I think that might just rebound. But time will tell…..
Meanwhile, I reckon we’re still holding out for that spa trip to the Maldives eh??
Interesting stuff. As a fellow Disney blogger, I didn’t hesitate when offered the trip either, knowing it would give me blog fodder galore as well as a free all inclusive trip to America!
As Linda mentioned in her article, I actually didn’t really have many negatives to point out, but I wouldn’t hesitate if I did. I think Jane’s right in that it’s the beauty of bloggers – they’re not beholden to anyone so they say exactly what they like!
Personally, my only concern is that I will lose readers if too many of my posts are about freebies/reviews/giveaways as that’s not my normal style. I’m trying to be careful and do turn things down if I feel they’re not suitable. Great stuff. I look forward to everyone else’s views x
Interesting, I’m a little concerned about companies inviting too many bloggers to events or sending too many products too, everyone will get peeved if there is too much of one topic.
I think the best strategy (again kudos to Disney and of course Kerry) in that they choose a small group who moved in different circles prior to the trip. I don’t think the blogosphere has been bombarded at all (?))
Hello – really thoughtful piece, thanks Erica!
Like Jane, it’s interesting for me as I come at it as a journalist before I was a blogger and the nuances, relationships and attitudes from both ‘camps’ are developing all the time.
I went on ‘freebies’ to Spain and New York when I was a reporter, plus a few UK destinations.
Then,as now as a blogger, I made it clear this was a hosted trip and with the principles of fair and honest reporting drilled in to me, I reported the great and the not so great things about the trip.
I don’t think you can lump all bloggers under one banner though – some would rather stick pins in their eyes than have any endorsements/advertising etc on their blog and they know their audience better than anyone. But no-one can assume one blogger thinks exactly like the next.
Our new site at http://www.havealovelytime.com has been offered some freebies by PR companies, some are accpeted, some declined, but they are being shared out among those who are interested in writing for the site.
Then you get the argument about writing for free – why contribute to a site if they aren’t paying you? Isn’t this putting professional writers out of business? Well no, I’m one of them and have been told by travel editors commissions are frozen now – so I’m getting off my arse and trying to do my own thing.
More thoughts here:
http://www.freelancewritingtips.com/2009/05/think-you-know-mummybloggers-think-again.html#comments
Thanks again.
Another fellow Disney blogger …
I think it was a very brave thing to invite 7 bloggers to give their honest opinion, but it has worked so well. Would it have worked so well had they pre-selected bloggers based upon their opinion of Disney? I’m not so sure.
I have some reviews to do and am really conscious of turning my blog into one big review. I’m spacing them out amongst the normal stuff and also creating a review section on my new blog.
New blog Laura?? What new blog? Tell us more…
Bloody hell I left a long comment and it has been eaten. Oh well. Great post.
Yeah, what blog Laura? Linda, the filth filter probably ate your post!
Found Linda’s post seems my spam filter may have blacklisted her, can’t think why?
You didn’t print the one that said: “Big knockers”
Oh well.
As a poor single parent that doesn’t get out much (ok not strictly true) if a freebie suits and is apt for me then by god I’ll take it. Have you seen the cost of living in Dublin these days!!!
Which part not strictly true Yummy Mammy, single parent or doesn’t get out much (or both!)
Well done you erica! (and the others) As far as im concerned its all great experience to write reviews, as its a slightly different style of writing. I write seriously (boring) academic stuff for work, tongue in check stuff (mainly) for my blog, with the odd review, if im lucky enough to be thrown a shrivelled up leftover (Blue-ray players- got a dvd but nothing flash, to play it on!!!) and I also like to write fiction for myself. Its all part of the fun of it, and if you can make a bit of cash or get a few perks why not? Its no different to what any magazine journalist does and im happy to pay them for their perks.
I didn’t get the blu-ray player either, but then I don’t have an HD TV so it’s pretty pointless for me.
So long as bloggers continue to offer honest reviews, I personally see no harm in receiving freebies, trips or sponsorship in return for our writing skills and opinions
I love the way you said “but I didn’t sell my soul”. For me this sums up exactly how we present our reviews as both parents and bloggers – these are based on our own experiences and feelings about these products (or Disney trips). Think about the freebies thrown at magazine writers and editors, and also newspapers. These writers offer honest reviews, even if they are bad, in exchange for freebies.
I have reviewed only a couple of things in exchange for freebies, and have provided my honest opinion of how these freebies are appropriate for my readers, and whether I personally enjoyed them or not. On a couple of occasions I felt a little guilty being so honest. I was sent a book to review on my other blog, where I’d been in touch with the author through the writing process (and even had a mention in the book). My review was honest, and explained that an integral subject was altogether missing from the book – an aspect which my readers expected me to include in my honest review. For me, the integrity of my review and my readers opinions were of the utmost importance to me. I didn’t give an opinionated negative review, yet still feel a little odd that I was unable to sing it’s praises, despite the efforts of the author.
In regard to advertisements, I believe those who religiously refute ads are in a minority. Blogs do cost money to run (one of mine costs almost ?100 a month because of the free services I provide for readers!) and displaying ads is one of the means we can use to compensate us for these costs. Even those who choose not to display ads may hope their efforts will be rewarded in some other way (book deals and the like). In any case, my respect of those who choose to display or not display ads remains the same
This was a really great post to write, Erica! I’m glad to read how other British blogers feel about “blog compensation”, and look forward to reading more opinions on this subject too.
Great post, Erica and I agree with you completely. I think PR trips and freebies work best when you are able to write your honest opinion about the products, and that is obviously what you are doing. That way, the style of your blog remains consistent and your target audience do not feel let down.
I’ve seen a few reviews recently on other blogs for produvts which have nothing to do with their blog content. When it’s obvious they are plugging a product they’ve been given free, because they have to, then I’m not impressed.
I think, also that some marketing companies realise the power of blogging and some are setting up their own blogs that they then want bloggers to promote, but they don’t update their blogs and are just getting free publicity for their products.
It’s a fasinating area that is likely to grow. It will be interesting to see how it all develops. There could be a Disney 77 next year!
I fully agree with your post, your really said it all. I’ve written bad reviews when I thought the product wasn’t great. Reviews etc are not exactly an income for me, even if a welcome addition, and I have no loyalties. I like writing reviews occasionally, so it fits with my interests and I would never accept something I’m not interested in. So all well! I even really enjoy reading other mummy bloggers’ reviews of the same product, to see what they thought of it, and how much better they’ve put it!
WHY WASN’T I INTERVIEWED FOR “THE TIMES”????
Completely brilliantly written, interesting article and something that i think will be the topic of endless debates in the immediate future. It is a difficult one. I would personally love my blog to make money for me. It’s my passion and I invest a huge amount of time in it all completely for the love of it….it would be foolish however to do this for the next X number of years if there was a way of making a fortune….However, we are all finding our way in a very new and exciting market and I for one am very conscious that I want to avoid being “bribed”. The Disney trip was an entirely different matter – it was bribery but with MICKEY MOUSE EARS ON – it’s a fine line….thanks for giving us all food for thought Lx
I agree with everything you say. Totally.
I have not got anything, but there should be a book winging it’s way to me, and also a trip to the new Butlins hotel in August.
Like you, as long as my credibility remains intact, I am happy to accept such things.
Great post by the way … found you through the BMB carnival, and have now subscribed x
Enjoy Butlins, I’ve subscribed so I look forward to hearing all about it.
This is a subject I’ve been thinking about a lot lately because of all the reviews I’m reading on other people’s blogs all of a sudden. I don’t begrudge anyone the right to get freebies and earn some cash so more power to them, but it’s just not something I really feel comfortable doing. The whole thing kind of squicks me out, mainly because of my feelings on advertising and consumerism. I don’t think I could stay true to my principles, both personally and in my writing, if I did product reveiws and giveaways.
That said, I did say I would consider advertising if I ever got upwards of 50 comments on each post consistently and it would earn me more than a pittance and I had some say in what ads went onto my site. But I still feel uneasy about that too so I don’t know what I’d do if faced with that situation.
I used to write for Which? magazine. They bought all the items they reviewed, returned any samples they were sent, and took no advertising: everything was funded by subscriptons. This was the only way to be truly independent, and ensured excellent robust reviews.
That’s all great … but you look at the magazine market as a whole and almost no other magazine works that way. Other magazines sell advertising to cover costs, which enables them to be fatter and glossier than Which?
I think there is room for both in blogging. My website costs money to run, and advertising helps me recoup a little of that. I review things where I think they are genuinely useful to readers: a kind of ‘I’ll read this business book and let you know if you will find it helpful’ service. I think the most important thing is to be clear about your policy – see front page of Linda’s new travel site for a clear editorial policy on freebies.