Bad Paid Blogging Pitches

Bad Paid Blogging Pitches

If you’re a newbie blogger (or even not-so-newbie) deciding which paid blogging opportunities to accept can be a bit of a minefield. I received a pitch on my this blog that I thought would make an excellent example. (I actually received this so long ago I no longer have a clue who sent it to me. I think I meant to publish this in 2016 some time.)

 

Bad Paid Blogging Pitches

 

Bad Paid Blogging Pitches

 

The Pitch

Firstly, read the pitch I received. I’ll break it down afterwards to show you why this is the sort of pitch that is probably best to ignore. Please note that I have removed details that may identify the person, company and/or product(s) involved – because this is not about the specific company but it is about a common type of email that you will need to be able to make decisions on as a blogger.

 

Dear Vanessa,

We are reaching out to you to invite you to participate in our paid sponsored post program. While conducting research we identified your blog as an excellent fit to help us create awareness of our brand and product. Currently we have 10 paid opportunities for bloggers which we are releasing on a first come, first serve basis. The theme is <deleted because of product information>

As a sponsored host, you will receive a payment of <deleted, small amount> upon publication of an article provided by us that discusses ways to <deleted because of product information>.

Because we want our messaging to be aligned to your readership we encourage you to include your own editorial comments at the bottom of the post. If you prefer to write the post yourself, we will provide you with several links and keywords that must be included in order to qualify.

If you decide to participate we do need the post to be published no later <date removed> and the giveaway winner selected no later than <date removed>. If we find that you are an influencer, we will add you to our list of preferred bloggers and invite you to participate in additional sponsored blogging activities.

The small print:

  • Links to our website must be do-follow, you may indicate this is a sponsored post.
  • You are welcome to substitute any Amazon link for your own affiliate link.
  • We are happy to help you by engaging in conversation with your readers and addressing concerns regarding <removed due to product information>

If you agree to participate, we will provide you with a post specifically crafted for your blog, along with our guidelines for posting. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you!

Kindly,

<Name & company website removed>

 

Phew. Where do I start?!

 

The Problems With This Type Of Email

 

“We conducted research.”

Well, to begin with, no they didn’t. Granted, they got my name correct, which is a step many pitches don’t. Be prepared to be addressed as “Dear Blogger” or something very generic. You’ll see further down exactly why they didn’t actually do any research on me.

 

“First come, first served”

Contrary to what my husband sometime says, I’m not at my computer 24/7. Bloggers have bigger obligations than to their inbox. I’m not interested in first in, best dressed. I’m interested in a good fit for my readers, the brand, and my blog.

 

“You will receive payment of …”

Haha. No. While a ballpark figure is always really handy to have when considering a sponsored post, an email telling me that I will get paid a small, two-figure sum for a post is a problem. Mostly in that I don’t work for that amount of money. It’s not worth my time or energy.

 

Tip: if no money is mentioned in the pitch email, you can reply and ask what their budget is to get a sense of the pay available for the post.

 

“Links must be do-follow”

Remember above when I said they didn’t actually do any research? Well, this is how I know they didn’t. In the main navigation of my personal blog, I used to have a link that says “PR”. It’s there to save me and others time. It lists the things I will and won’t write about, as well as my conditions for accepting a sponsored post. Key among them is that all posts will have no follow links.

 

“we will provide you with a post”

Again, just no. My blog means that I write on my blog. It is not an outlet for PR statements and press releases.

 

“our guidelines for posting”

This could mean anything. But given the general tone of this email, context places it to be a bit more dictatorial than collaborative. Of course judgement should be held until you see what the guidelines are, but it is a red flag to me.

 

Tip: when working with a brand you may have “guidelines” for posting. This doesn’t mean relinquishing editorial control, it usually means something small like making sure names fit in with the brand’s style guides. Basically, things a reader won’t consciously notice that don’t impact on your relationship with your readers.

 

 How Do You Decide What To Do?

Well, like I say in this post, a big challenge for new bloggers is realising that there really aren’t any rules. Sometimes you may want to take a post for free or little money to build a portfolio. That is up to you. My only advice is to know when you will ask for money/more money so as to not trap yourself in the unpaid/low paid hole forever.

 

You could ask for more information. As you can see, I had a lot of questions from this email. If I had been interested in the opportunity, I could have replied asking many of the questions. Would they have answered? Well, given that it was first in, best dressed, my guess would be no!

 

There is a tendency for bloggers (myself 100% included in this) to get a bit cranky when we keep getting lousy pitches. But remember, building up an idea of what you won’t accept means that you are learning what you will accept.

 

What have you learned from bad pitches you’ve received as a blogger?

 

20 Replies to “Bad Paid Blogging Pitches”

  1. I wonder if anyone actually does accept these pitches?

    1. I guess people must, if they literally had 0% of people reply, how could they have a business model? I really don’t know!

  2. I simply delete. I get lots of requests for my astro blog, but my brand is too important to me to accept anything other than something I truly believe in. My other blogs are either personal or for my writing, so again, I’m not in it for the sponsored posts. The poorly written & researched pitches I’ve had though, yep, fill each of your not to do’s above! #TeamLovinLife

    1. It’s rare to get a quality pitch these days.

  3. I have a standard reply to these types of emails so I just copy and paste. Sometimes they come back to me with a counter offer and I quickly tell them I’m not interested in working for less money than I’m worth. But the worst ones are the ones that want to write the article themselves. I do accept guest posts, but only good quality content and photos. Thanks for posting this. #TeamLovinLife

    1. Template replies are a really good thing to have.

  4. The example you’ve cited is why I don’t do sponsored posts anymore… Glad I’m not the only one who feels this way.

    SSG xxx

    1. I rarely did any because I just never liked much that came across my inbox. Plus there is that assumption that if you’re female and a blogger you have kids, which made 99% of the pitches 100% irrelevant to me…

  5. I get so many of these types of emails. I just go on my gut instinct and what the product or service is and if it is in line with my blog, and if they accept the payment I feel is acceptable. Sometimes I ignore if its not a professional email. Sometimes I decline if it’s not in line with my blog or doesn’t feel right or they won’t pay or pay too little. Sometimes I ask more questions. Sometimes I accept. #TeamLovinLife

    1. Sounds like you know what fits, which is the most important part.

  6. I don’t do sponsored posts – maybe because I’ve yet to find any that make me want to participate or give up my post for their benefit. I delete the requests I get and I’ll wait for the magic one to come and ring all my bells….

    1. I don’t think I’ve done one in maybe 3 years now. Pretty much the same reasons.

  7. This is really useful to me as I am only just being approached by brands and it is a minefield!! It’s great to hear the other comments here too and it gives me some confidence – thanks #TeamLovinLife

    1. Remember you can always say no and/or ask more questions!

  8. Hi Vanessa, I have recently seen an increase in requests for people to write for my blog or similar to your but with no compensation offered. I really found your article very helpful as although I’ve been blogging 2.5 years I haven’t really entered the world of paid or sponsored posts. Thanks for the insight.
    Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond

    1. I have rarely done any as it’s been so rare any have ever fitted. It turns out when you’re not much of a shopper or “things” person, few sponsored posts really fit your blog 🙂 It’s good to know you don’t have to accept anything, and you can ask questions of them if you’re getting approached and want to start this type of work.

  9. I hate the ones where they obviously just add in your name (maybe!!!!) and insert the name of your blog or a blog post you’ve written which is vaguely related to what they’re selling.

    #teamlovinlife

    1. Oh yes, it’s the laziest way to try and “prove” they’ve researched you. I’d almost rather they were generic than faking interest. It’s more honest that way!

  10. I think it has all been said but the bottom line for me is does it work for me and my readers. Great post.

  11. It’s frustrating isn’t it. My ‘favourites’ are the badly worded/grammatically incorrect emails. Or worse, the ones where they want the earth and reply with ‘sorry, we have no budget…’. Hmmm #LovinLifeLinky

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