Have you ever stewed over something for a long time and then there’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back, or so they say? I’ve received a P.R. pitch from a company that will remain nameless for the time being but it’s a brand/company I like and use which annoys me because this pitch was insulting and um, exactly how a brand should not work with a blogger.
It went something like this minus the sarcasm, editing and possible vomit hanging off a few words:
Dear Blogger,
We really like your blog and loved your article on <insert most recent post>. We want to invite you to be an exclusive blogger for _______________. You’ll write 2 posts each month with content we feed you <insert my sarcasm> and we’ll benefit but provide you with a few coupons and some product.
Oh and after four months if you have the most comments, social media shares and traffic you could win a $500 gift card to a store you’ll never shop at but you have to sell your soul to the devil and compete with your blogging friend. Doesn’t that sound great!
Want to be an exclusive blogger for __________________? We love your blog it is a great fit for both of us!
Signed,
P.R. professional that came up with this really stupid idea where we could use bloggers and benefit but our firm is being paid money and you’re not –ha! Ha!
The beef of this pitch is insanely true. Four months of two posts each month of content provided to me that I have to slave to promote and I could win something. Aren’t I lucky?
The deal-e-o is this, bloggers will bite because they feel special to work with this brand and it could be a foot in the door, or so they want to believe or hope. What I see is a blogger being used to benefit a brand and a P.R. firm making money of a campaign for a measly $750, their cost for the gift cards the blogger(s) could win. As professionals we are selling ourselves short and hurting the larger community of professional bloggers.
That’s just my 2 cents – 4 what it worth.
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That’s why I’ve made the executive decision to trash any “opportunities” to work for a “chance to win” anything. If I’m really feeling it, I’ll reply with a link to my You Pitched Me page…
I understand. It gets very annoying and it is more common then it ever used to be.
Yes, I also received some like that. I don’t “do” any writing anymore for the “chance or possibility” of
getting something in return. I know they are finding blogger’s who are doing it but I feel better about
myself knowing I’m not one of them. It’s a shame brands expect us to write for zilch. I hate it when they
try to make a blogger competition out of it. Several of the mom groups are also helping this tactic
along which I really don’t appreciate. They are supposed to be looking out for us the blogger’s.