Along with many of you out there, blogging is now a big part of my life.
Although, monetizing my blog has never been top priority. As far as connections and community go, blogging has brought me so much more than cents and dollars can ever offer.
However, I am of the opinion that, as long as we stick to our guns in staying authentic with our content and remain transparent to our readers, making a bit of pocket money along the way can’t be a bad thing.
At the same time, I’m sure none of us want to be coined with those dreaded two words, “Sell out”
Sponsored posts are a fine line in the white, pristine endless sand of potential internet marketing opportunities.
Ideally, I want to find the ones that perfectly suit my voice and blog but sometimes, for the experience and the challenge, I’ll take on something a little different or unexpected.
I’ve done several sponsored posts now and I’m happy to say, all have been a positive experience, bar one.
And it was after this particular unpleasant incident that I decided to make my own set of guidelines to ensure that future dealings with PR companies for sponsored posts are hassle free and with minimal misunderstandings. (I can only but try…)
- If the PR company haven’t requested one themselves, I’ll let them know specifically when I intend to publish the post. I’m also going to make sure that it suits my terms and schedule.
- After negotiating on the fee, send an invoice and ask for payment prior to the post being published.
- Send a draft of the post a few days prior to the scheduled date.
- Unless it was agreed in the initial negotiations with the PR company or brand, I will not accept any other forms of alternative payment such as vouchers etc.
- Trust my gut instincts. Figuring out what’s legit on the internet can sometimes be tricky but I’m not naïve either. Nor am I desperate for the business. If I think they’re not the real deal, I won’t do it.
Blogging’s a lot of fun and making a bit of cash on the side can add to the thrill.
However, without a union or an ombudsman to look out for us, we can easily find ourselves in a compromising or even risky situation. The scary reality is, we don’t really have any rights – legal or commercial – protecting us.
But we don’t have to think we’re all doing it solo.
Last week, I raised a concern of mine to many of you out there.
I quickly discovered that while we’re a powerful group, we’re also going through similar obstacles and battles in earning some professional respect and monetary value.
The information exchanging and the collaborative thinking in coming up with a solution just makes me have more faith in our tight knit community.
Individually, our opinions hold plenty of weight and substance in the blogosphere.
When we band together, fighting for a common cause, well, wow, gosh darn it…those shonky PR companies better watch out!
What would you add to my list? What would you take out? Tell me, I’d love to know…
Joining the lovely Essentially Jess for IBOT
Like you I agree that as long as it’s done with transparency, making a little extra cash from the blog can only be a good thing. I’ve negotiated a couple of sponsored posts but pulled out of both when I felt the PR’s were taking the Mick.
I’m grateful for the Aussie Bloggers FB group – it means we can compare notes and if more dodgy stuff happens we can warn each other.
These are great guidelines.
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I think they are great guidelines. For me I would add I am willing to work for no payment for not for profit organisations. I don’t expect everyone to do this, it is just what I have decided for myself.
Much like you, I only work with PR, brands and companies I feel fit with the blog, and/or that I do use already. Makes sense really!
Naomi recently posted..It’s beginning to look a like someone needs to fold some washing, oh and Christmas.
I work with NFP’s for free too and am happy to do so.
It’s all about transparency for me. I’m just starting to work with brands so I’m figuring it out as I go along!
Kim-Marie from Kimba Likes recently posted..Perfect Summer Shorts
Me too Naomi. Im not necessarily interested in money on my blog (I make money from using my writing skills to write freelance for mags) but I do like using my blog to assist the not for profit community. I think the same rules apply though – you are still using your time and expertise so I only agree to promote organisations who ‘fit’ with my blog or who let me decide how the post will be written.
I like Grace’s ideas though – they apply for money and non-monetary relationships.
Sarah recently posted..Not living, existing – a TSIB interview
To be honest, I start reading about PR companies, brands, sponsored blog posts and my world turns into Peanuts. “wah wah wah wah wah” I tend to not even read sponsored posts. In saying that, I think if you can earn some money from your blog, go for it, but gosh it seems like a lot of hoops to jump through for very little benefit from what I read. I think you’re on the right track, stay true to yourself and don’t be taken advantage of, and go with your gut. Good guidelines – in PR blogging and life in general.
Aroha @ Colours of Sunset recently posted..My Week in Instagram
Grace last night I answered a call on digital parents about photo rates by advising the blogger to contact the meaa (media alliance). I’m not sure whether it deals with bloggers but we are after all writers in the pib,ic space and I’m sure it has some opinions and advice. If I get a chance I’ll call it as it looks after all artists, and I used to b a member. Pr companies are also generally bound by a code of ethics, as are journalists. There are several pr bodies in Australia eg the public relations institute of Australia that would be watching this space very carefully. More importantly I think if bloggers are given a bum deal from a company the power of personal social media is one of the best methods of stopping it. You spread the word that a company is behaving unethical on social media and its brand cld be damaged permanently. We do have a lot of power, it’s just a matter of getting to know the turf xx
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I like hearing all these stories from bloggers far more experienced than I. Maybe one day, we will be ready to monetize our blog (though that seems so far away and a little bit tricky!!), but in the interim, I will continue to learn from others the ‘tricks of the trade’.
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Great article Grace. I think this is a very important issue for bloggers to read about. At the recent food bloggers conference I attended, we had a panel discussion on the importance of ethics and PR companies, etc and I definitely learned a lot of great stuff!
Really good post, Grace. I’ve had a few requests here and there, but have not taken anything up. I think it’s more out of fear of the unknown than strong values for or against sponsored posts. It’s good to know we can use the community we have forged to seek advice, and I like the advice of doing it on your own terms. Always learning!!
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Really great information. I haven’t gone down that path yet, I am still undecided. I guess I don;t know if it’s worth the money involved. (because I just don’t know how much it is). I have a hard time finding blogging time as it is, for the things I want to blog about, so it’s not for me at the moment.
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Hello, Christie at Fig and Cherry talked ont he panel mentioned above and has a great post on it on her blog. I don’t expect to be paid prior and am totally delighted to be paid quickly afterwards. This is SO much better than working in print where it can take months to be paid and for books it takes at least 6 months and often a year to be paid.
I think that being professional is really, really important… I messed up myself a bit recently and hope I’ve learned from my own mistakes. Bloggers do make mistakes too, as I am now very painfully aware!
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Yes I have pretty good experience working with brands and PR firms, save for one which you know about last year. That certainly got me more aware of the “complications” involved and good tip on setting boundaries and being clear on expectations. I do support getting paid before you publish and researching on the company, if it’s a new one and especially if it’s one overseas.
I think to save time for everyone, it might help to put your guidelines on the blog itself so the PR firms that are turkey interested will contact you and you don’t have to waste time dealing with flakes.
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Oh course I meant truly, not of course I meant truly, not turkey haha
Ai Sakura recently posted..Orb Factory Craft Kits | Her Princess & The Frog Love Story
Damn you autocorrect !
Ai Sakura recently posted..Orb Factory Craft Kits | Her Princess & The Frog Love Story
interesting and thought provoking
i am brand new at all of this – so can’t really add too much
but your rules make a great deal of sense
i love rule no. 5
xx
Josefa @always Josefa recently posted..I Believe in Angels
I am yet to do a sponsored post, but have no qualms with doing it as I think we should all be able to earn some money from our blog – it’s not like they don’t cost money to run! I actually have no idea why this is such a big deal. We all need to work, why not in the capacity of a blog?
I will make mistakes up front I am sure, but I hope never to fall short of my own values 🙂
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Great article Grace.
I’m a long way off having to worry about this, but I’ll bear your guidelines in mind if I’m ever confronted with such a dilemma down the track.
#IBOT
Amanda @ Cooker and a Looker recently posted..Lighting a candle
I have been hesitant to do sponsored posts or reviews. I have just wanted my blog to be about writing. But lately I was thinking about reviewing children’s books, as a side interest. Lo and behold someone contacted me that day to do a review of a new book. It’s funny how the universe works. I’ll keep your pointers in mind 🙂
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tricky and unfortunate. I think you’re right guidelines and your gut. The sponsored post really doesnt matter that much if its going to cause any stress or hassles forget it.
The companies should be very concerned if there is a negative experience – world wide, diverse, tight habitat here in mummy bloggers world – word will get around pretty darn quick!
i dont mind sponsored posts. i’ll read and comment if i see it – sharing the love 🙂
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Great post, Grace. I haven’t gone down the sponsored post track (yet), mainly because I haven’t sought anything out and I’m not overly impressed by the ‘offers’ coming in, but I like your list. Because I like common sense.
I hope it’s smooth sponsorship sailing for you from here on in!
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A great list Grace!! I will be using those from now on. I have not had an issue with any Sponsored Posts (touch wood) but you never know when I may run into a wayward PR company. Love the 5th point! 🙂
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Great post Grace. I think we have the same rights as other small businesses in Australia. They are just difficult to inforse unless you want to throw money te it. I think invoicing and being paid priro to posting is a must. See ya Friday.
Carolyn
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Hi Carolyn,
I think for those who see their blog as a small business may understand some entitlements and rights they have but at the end of the day, not all of us are business owners. Specifically as bloggers, there are no set rules or guidelines or a governing body looking out for us.
See ya at FYBF!
Thanks for sharing. To date I haven’t done any sponsored posts… but will definitely refer to these guidelines if I ever do them in the future.
Housewife in Heels recently posted..Crazy Christmas Mumma
I’d only do a sponsored post if I absolutely thought it was something that I would want or support, not just for the sake of making some money and that’s my own personal decision. I’ve only ever done one giveaway, recently, where the company provided the prize, and I was happy to do it because I really love the company already and I was already going to do a giveaway so it meant I didn’t actually have to spend my own money to do it!
Kylez @ A Study in Contradictions recently posted..Births, Deaths & Marriages
Timely post for me, as I have two sponsored posts ready to go this week 🙂 I’ve only just started doing them, but so far I’ve learned that you can’t really let them supply the copy. It just doesn’t work. Even if they are good writers, you still need to inject your own style into it.
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..Competition Terms and Conditions – Christmas Giveaway
Heh heh – if I could remove the link to my ‘recent post’ – terms and conditions – I would! Pretty boring reading for anyone thinking of clicking through 🙂
I’ve been lucky to not have any sour experiences yet. I tend to set my terms and mostly don’t hear back from the ones that don’t want to run with them. Now that the blog is getting bigger, I’m being choosy, but I can genuinely say I love getting packages in the mail, reviewing cool stuff or using things in recipes and bringing them to my readers. I don’t see it as being a sell out. I see my Blog as a community, and I like bringing things to my readers. I research carefully though, and I don’t do sponsored posts for something I wouldn’t like or use myself. What’s the point in providing my readers with what’s crap?
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A very helpful, well written post especially for the beginners like me. Thank you.
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Great informative post, a lot of food for thought.
My blog is not monetized and I don’t do sponsored posts, for the moment. Who knows where this will end up so I am always learning and absorbing information like this just in case I change my mind.
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I kinda feel sorry for the PR chick. She messed with the wrong bloggers.
EssentiallyJess recently posted..Dear Santa
Good on you Gracie! I love that you’re finally getting some extra perks with your blog (you work so, so hard) and I think you’re awesome for setting up these terms. I should add some of those in too!
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Thanks for the guidelines. I’ve been telling myself that I need to try and do something more with blogging this year and this is really timely.
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Oh sponsored posts are a tricky one for me. I don’t particularly like them, but I will do them if it interests me enough. I have recently done one though that I am completely unhappy with. It took weeks for the company to OK the post, though they refused to pay before published, then tried to offer me vouchers telling me that they were having trouble with paypal. I took the post straight off and haven’t heard from them since. I like your guidelines and need to follow them myself I think! xx
Chrissie at Me and My Munchkin recently posted..Navigating Girl World
Chrissie, I just sent you an email.
I really love reading honest posts from experienced bloggers about their own learning curves. Whether it’s social media stuff, monetization, networking or just writer’s block – a blogger is never alone! Thank you for sharing this checklist for those of us who are still learning 🙂
Lara @ This Charming Mum recently posted..On the celebrity leave pass: the animated edition
Hmm. I’ve not done any sponsored posts yet. I’m a bit curious, keen and wary at the same time. What do you think about having positive AND negative parts in your review. Or including non-sponsored brands for comparison. I’d like to do both so that my posts really are my opinions. I’m guessing brands won’t be knocking on my door though, but so be it…
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Thought I had posted this yesterday, only to open this computer and find my comment still sitting there gggrrr, sorry but I did visit for IBOT 😀
I think you have come up with some great rules for yourself. I am in two minds about sponsored posts, from both a reader and blogger point of view. I rarely read the very obviously sponsored posts unless there’s a giveaway and I may if it interests me. If I happen across a not so obvious sponsored post, I feel cheated that it originally came across as something else, it was clearly not so transparency would have to be the most important factor. As for if I will ever do them, as Aroha mentioned above, it seems like a lot of hoops to jump through for very little benefit but if I could be convinced otherwise, I may consider it.
Stacey-Lee recently posted..Merry Handmade Christmas: Star Decorations
Hoo wee – all I can say is, you live and you learn, right? Hope you didn’t get too badly burned. I’ve never done a sponsored post, for the same reason I don’t participate in Listicles or Wordless and WTF’s – I just don’t like someone telling me what to write on my blog.
Having a solid list like yours is just common sense – I would only add that you keep the rights to the content so they can’t duplicate it and give credit to somebody else.
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