I asked Kelli from 3boysandadog to explain what businesses and bloggers need to know about product review blogs.
This is the second post in a three post series. Here is the first post Should Businesses Pay Mommy Bloggers.
I know I have used the “mommy-blogger” term in two posts now, but let me tell you a secret… most moms, who happen to be bloggers, DESPISE that term. For lack of a better term, I will be using that one. PR companies search for that term, so we might as well use it. I prefer Independent Journalist.
A bit about me, in case you missed the first post and don’t want to go find it. 😉 I am Kelli, a super busy “mommy-blogger.” You can read all about me, my kids, fabulous finds, the not-so-great finds, and my own Little Orphan Annie at 3 Boys and a Dog.
In my last PR and Mom Blogger post, we established that if you want to “advertise” then you should be paying for it and if you want opinions you shouldn’t. Now, let us discuss how to get a mom blogger to work with you or at least avoid making her mad at you.
- Cater to her! Ok, you don’t have to send a nanny, chef, and masseuse to her house to get her to work with you – although, that would be FABULOUS! (Especially if they could teach their trade to my husband #imjustsaying) Mom’s, oh who am I kidding; females in general are very fickle creatures. We want people to like us and make us feel special! Do not send me a canned “Dear Web Master” pitch. I will hit the delete button. Or, because I can scan the message pretty quickly, if it is a product that I am semi-interested in, I will respond with a canned message, “Dear PR Rep” ?
- Know her and know her blog! *See number 1. ? You stand a much better chance of working with a mom blogger if the pitch you send her actually has anything to do with her blog. For example: if you do a search on my blog, you will not find ANY adult toy posts, ZERO alcohol posts, or a single tobacco review. It doesn’t mean I haven’t been pitched (and I know the adult toy people pay for their posts… as much as I want money, I do have a few morals) it simply means I don’t write about those things.
- Understand her! Seriously, do not send her a pitch and expect an answer right away. Moms are BUSY! Actually, they are VERY BUSY! Most of us stay home because we like our children, not because we are lazy. Consequently, we do everything. The moms that work outside the home think we have more time for PTA, parties, field trips, Scouts, sports, etc. Then, PR thinks we have more time because we don’t have a regular 9-5 job. Write to her and don’t be surprised if you don’t get a response until the weekend or at 2 am. ? Mom Bloggers work around their children.
- USE EMAIL, TWITTER, FACEBOOK, AND SKYPE! Again, moms are busy. I do use the phone, but I have 3 boys and a dog. It is very hard to be professional with screaming kids, running water, and a barking dog in the background. I prefer email and can run to my computer on the way to potty. ? I leave my Tweet Deck running and click to it on a regular basis. Be patient, please.
- RESPOND! If a mom takes the time to reach out to you, at least respond. Just because her stats are lower than you want doesn’t mean you need to alienate her. She could be working extremely hard and in a few months might be the perfect person for your company, but you ignored her and she just might respond in kind – with a quick click of the delete button. Even a “Thanks so much for reaching out to us, Kelli. Our company is leaning towards a different direction at this time, but I will keep your contact information in case we ever come back to reviews” is much better than ignoring her. Or tell her that “unfortunately we only accept an Alexa of such-and-such or lower.” If she really wants to work with you, she will come back to you when her stats get there. ?
- Understand their needs! Bloggers don’t live to review your product. They want to be known, but not just so their inboxes can be filled with pitches from PR companies. Don’t hound them, don’t stress them out, and don’t send them a million emails a day.
Yes, it means more work on your part, but if you take the time to actually read their blog (most have an About Me page that can give you major insight) and only send them things that work for their blog, you will get much farther in your endeavors.
Stay tuned, next time I will be discussing the point of product giveaways for PR and for Bloggers! If you have questions, you can always drop me an email or contact me via my blog, 3 Boys and a Dog.
Interested in more insights? Read Moomette’s Magnificents PR 101: How NOT To Pitch a Blogger
PR FRIENDLY BLOGGERS:
- Spark Minute: Hey PR, Bloggers are NOT Tools to Be Used
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Gail Gardner
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It helps to communicate and not be a stranger. Mommy bloggers like to build a network and keep it growing.
Susan would love you to read ..California Short Sales
I think “mommy blogger” is cute. These days, I see a lot of mommy bloggers in the blogosphere!
It is really interesting to see that even though people have evolved and moved to a more social enviroment on the internet, PR reps are still stuck with their old fashion ways.
Completely agree with the use skype, twitter, etc. But please do not spam people! I won’t add you in Facebook if I don’t know you…
But yeah, great advice.
Matt.
I can say the things you shared were truly what women love in general. Women in general want to feel special, to look and feel great, they want to feel loved. It’s nice to have this list so men could have an idea how to deal with them. It was truly hard, I know. Most especially when it comes to blogging. Yep, being mommy and blogger at the same time was truly hard. That’s why I will consider those tips to know the right way to deal with these superb women.
Andy would love you to read ..Kids Angel Costumes
Mommy bloggers are a very important for promotion and reviews. When we launched our book about baby sign language a couple of years ago we directly contacted mommy bloggers. We offered them a free book and another one for a give away to their readers. What we got out of it was product reviews, testimonials and a whole heap of people receiving a free copy of our book. Word of mouth is a vital part of any product, now Toddler Interpreter is one of the top baby sign language books available world wide. Thanks to all the mommy bloggers out there, your doing a great job.
[Edited so the keywords would link properly. Ian, to use KeywordLuv you need to put an @ symbol between your name and keywords like this: Ian @ SEO Brisbane.]
Great post… I love the info here, Mommy-bloggers are a group that I have absolutely no clue about.
To avoid some one being mad @ u, just have to understand, care, respect and acknowledge.. Great.. its all just give and take policy.. (ps. This does applies to any one around.. not only to “mommy-blogger”)
and the niche product blog is better than technology / career blog, if used in the correct way.. I think.
On the other side, there are beginners/bloggers enviously waiting to experience this mommy blogger’s “irritation”. That of being flooded with paid post requests or paid reviews.
Hi Kelly, Great points about using effective ways to communicate with mommy bloggers. It’s always important to know your “target audience,” PR reps need to take this into consideration as well.
It just depends on how well nicely you tell the “PR” company that you aren’t into that niche, and that they should go look somewhere else. if you do it nicely enough they might come back with something it is related to your blog. If your rude to them then they will probably never help you out again and put you on a blacklist!! Two sides of the same coin in my mind!!
It’s amazing how it’s overlooked. Mommy Bloggers ARE very busy – moms don’t have much time.
Great post once again
Swamykant would love you to read ..Seth-Godin’s Free E-books To Boost Your Blogging Career
Hmm.. Mommy blogger, it sounds interesting. I never encountered this thing before but I am eagerly interested to know about this term most especially on how this one works. Thank you so much for opening my mind AGAIN for some new things to learn. Thumbs up! 🙂
Honestly speaking, i am not that familiar about Mommy Blogger. But I am looking forward to know more about this matter.
Thanks Ursula! Beware, though as it isn’t true in every case. 🙂 Moms are just as human as the next person.
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
LOL! I was hoping the strange title would draw people in. 🙂 Did it work? LOL!
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
I am working on my Gift Guides right now and I have gotten some strange ones! Would you lie to find “how to set up your will” in your stocking this year!? Seriously? LOL!
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
Hi Cindi,
I added a link t oyour post in the body of this one and also in the post on Murray Newlands. I’ll add it to the third post too.
growmap would love you to read ..Bloggers- Position Yourself Where the Money Is
Very well said.
But until all mommy bloggers set expectations, the PR will try to get away with what they can.
They have gotten more and more aggressive lately. Sending follow up emails asking you to promote their client in a blog post.
Jessica would love you to read ..Traveling Chicks Series
and unfortunately, we can’t make ALL mommy bloggers set expectations! The newer girls will do just about anything to get started on reviews and giveaways including selling their soul to a company thinking it will “get them in the door” – sad truth is that just isn’t true.
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
I’m a Mister Mom Blogger…or was as four kids grow up and head out. Writing without a net, SEO cattle prod taser shoved in your side. Neat concept to consider and over doing it with the SEO twitch can cause distortion and work the other way you had hoped, envisioned.
Andrew Mooers would love you to read ..The Saint Bernard’s Name Was Duke- The Maine German Sheperd Nameless
Sorry, but I do not understand this at all. 🙂 Maybe you can enlighten me so we can chat about your views
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
Great posts and comments! I welcome pr ptiches and hope to get more on my blog. I wish I could get tech related,tv,dvds instead of always normal cleaning products to review.
barb would love you to read ..Emile Henry Product Review Cookware Ceramic4qt Stew Pot Dutch Oven Bakeware Pro Grater Diabetic Friendly Cooking Made Simple
I understand why they are more house hold reviews for you. Your Niche marketing seems to be about Diabetics. You should also consider looking into Affiliate sales for Diabetics. Google Affiliates has at least one good one to use on your site! You could make some money easily!!
Hi Barb, for the most part, you will get pitches based on your “niche” – I get dog, mom, and kid pitches – but I do get some strange ones, too. 🙂 Good luck! One day you will be dreading opening emails. 🙂
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
“mommy blogger” — that’s a cute name, too bad you can’t copywrite it…..hehehe
I didn’t coin it, just using it 🙂
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
I really do not approve people posting paid reviews on their blog. If it is just some information about a product and if you have tried it, I kind of understand. But talking about a product and how good it is, without even using it or seeing it, just because you are getting paid, is something I will never do.
Regards.
Nick would love you to read ..Iomega eGo Desktop External Drives
Hi Nick, I hope NO ONE writes a review without having tried the product! How unethical, but I guess some people do
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
I’m not a mommy blogger, but have contacted several mommy bloggers for product reviews, and the best strategy I find is to use Twitter a few times beforehand (quick chatter), then when a connection is established, send a brief email that goes straight to the point. It helps if you send them a product related to something they’re passionate about, or related to some other product they mentioned in a blog post awhile ago. Those are my tips.
Henway would love you to read ..Choosing the right diet program
very good point, Henway! Establish a relationship before pitching to her!
Kelli would love you to read ..Saving Money Is Easier Than You Think
Yeah, Stephanie, I think that is my biggest pet peeve! Why do I get bottle and diaper pitches when my About Me clearly states that my youngest child is 4?
3 a week? Count your blessings. 🙂 I average about a dozen per DAY and I am still small beans compared to people like The Pioneer Woman!
Yea it can be hard sometimes, but that is just because mine is more tech related. After all you have a great Niche marketing and I am quite impressed with it. I guess it just depends on which niche is better!!
Paul Sylvester would love you to read ..5 Programs to make you more productive with your Computer!
I am starting to get PR pitches. I have found that most are for home products or books that are not gardening related. Having finally figured out that bloggers can help with PR, PR reps have not figured out that every blogger is not a “mommy blogger” yet. Gardening product manufacturers and PR reps have not gotten with the program yet, either, with a few exceptions.
Hi Stephanie,
What I believe will have to happen is that we are going to have to contact the companies we really love and explain the potential to them. I know the products I most want to blog about do not have much of an online presence in Social Networking and do not have affiliate programs.
growmap would love you to read ..Water- Blog Action Day 2010 – What We Can Do
It isn’t just Mommy Blogs that get hounded with PR stuff. Even the Tech blogs such as mine get an average of 3 emails a week at least for pitching some review or product. Man can that get annoying, but I have found being polite can send you far!!
Well I am surprised to hear that a blogger is annoyed by companies pitching product reviews. I would think most bloggers would be more than happy to receive something for free just for reviewing it. Not only does the blogger get free products, but those reviews also act as site content that can attract more traffic.