Firstly, no, I’m not sure if commerciality is a word. There’s a red squiggly line under it, so I’m guessing not. Which basically means I just coined a word. Go me!
Secondly, during the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day I was wondering about the commercial vibe of this blog. I saw the Mother’s Day guides and thought that most of the things in them were boring. I’m not anti doing paid work on this blog, but most of the pitches I’ve gotten are a bit boring, to be honest. I also wonder how commercial I am in my life. I don’t really go shopping. I don’t really like shopping. I mean, I buy groceries, because food is good, but I try to do it as locally and independently as possible. I op shop. I only have a shopping problem when I walk past (haha, walk IN, I can’t walk past) a Typo store.
Thirdly, marketing confuses me sometimes. Like this:
Why? What does it mean? Is it meant to make me feel exclusive? Does whoever thought of this realise that basically anyone can walk into Coles to buy this and therefore it’s no more exclusive than a roll a paper towels or an apple?
Having said that, they are really delicious and I will totally buy them again and think my husband is awesome for finding them on the shelf and suggesting that I would like them. Which I do. So much that I didn’t let him try any … muhahaha.
See, the commercial world is confusing. And these are my genuine thoughts. And these are the type of genuine thoughts that are probably inappropriate to express in paid or gifted work on a blog. Is there a need for a sarcastic review site? I reckon I could do that!
I’m not saying I’m not doing paid posts on my blog ever again. I guess I just have a lot of interests and like lots of things but at the same time not much that comes across my inbox gives me the tingles to write about.
How do you choose your paid blogging work? Do you “get” exclusives in chain supermarkets? Does marketing annoy you sometimes too?
I’ve been struggling with sponsored posts since I started blogging and much prefer to make my money indirectly from blogging than the blog itself. That way I don’t feel like I’m being paid for comment unless it’s actually something I’m confident and comfortable about blogging about.
I’m happy with the ones I have done, but so few come across me that actually suit that it’s just not a real income source for me.
Lots of food for thought here (see what I did there)! I’m still quite new to blogging so I especially enjoyed reading your thoughts on this.
Boom-tish! 😉 I’m certainly not anti this line of work in blogging, I just feel like not much of it is relevant to me.
I stopped doing sponsored posts on my blog after a comment last year and it was the ONE paid post I did all year. It made me feel like crap and I was really upset about it.
However… that noodle mix looks quite yummy. And it’s gluten-free! 😉
See – you’ve inadvertently garnered my attention!
Oh no 🙁 That sucks. I think if you’re comfortable doing them then you should. But I do get that some readers still really hate the idea.
And yes, real honesty in posts about food/brands/whatever I think actually draws people in.
I only choose to do sponsored posts on things I think are really important. Given I am a money blogger I get a lot of dodgy offers which I happily say no too. Integrity is everything.
I can only imagine how many dodgy ones would come your way!
I find the whole thing too ethically challenging, so I steer clear. I appreciate that it’s a way to pay the bills for many, though, so that’s okay by me. x
The ones I’ve done sit right with me, but 95% of what comes into my inbox doesn’t end up on the blog! I think as brands are paying more they (sort of) rightfully want a more controlled image – but then it kind of takes away from the point of working with a blogger! Balancing act on all sides.
I see sponsored content differently. So many times as a plumber I’d be asked for my opinion or recommendation. Now on the blog I get paid to give that advice. Integrity is important though and I say no to most opportunities than yes.
With a very specific niche I can see how well it works for you! But as someone who just talks about whatever online it makes it hard to see what is and isn’t a fit.
I don’t do sponsored posts anymore. I tried a few and it wasn’t for me. I have nothing against anyone who does because this gig is tough and if you can make a few bucks you should go for it. I realised when I greeted new emails from brands with dread instead of excitement that it wasn’t something I was going to do.
That’s always telling – that gut feeling. I don’t have a negative gut feeling when I get emails, I’m just not interested or they’re not relevant (like baby stuff). Or they’re people who want me to share 100% irrelevant things for free, like infographics…no thanks!
I’ve stepped back from it a lot. Unless I really love the product, or its a great opportunity that I wouldn’t get otherwise, I mostly say no. I just don’t think we need all the stuff we are sold.
I do struggle with sponsored posts but I guess I also have the thought that a lot of the things that I review are things that I would use or buy anyway. So getting them for free is just a bonus. I also have no idea what goes through some of the ad places heads when they come up with a slogan or ad. Like…do people actually fall for that.