Thursday, September 18, 2014

On Sponsored Posts. The truth. And stuffs.




Hi! 
This is going to be a little bit different from what I usually write but I just wanted to bring something up with all of ya. Hope you don't mind. And I guess before I begin this whole spiel, I should tell you about the kinds of sponsored posts I've done in the past. 


($$$ = I get compensated for it)
1. Product Feature: I wear a gifted item on the blog.
2. Blogger Feature: blogger does a guest post on my blog. $$$
3. Company Feature: a full post solely about a company/shop. $$$
4. Product Feature: a full post solely about a gifted product. $$$
5. Giveaway: a company hosts a giveaway on my blog. $$$ 
6. Sidebar Ad: an ad is placed on my blog sidebar. $$$

What I'm mainly talking about today is option #3 and #4.


For a while I stopped doing sponsored posts like #3 and #4. But I've decided to become open to doing them again. But this time, it's going to be different. In the past when it came to sponsors, I used to think... "Free stuff?! More moneys?! Yes!" to almost anything that came along. Shaaaaaame! I know. But then when I found that the "free stuff" wasn't always so great, it felt awkward posting about them ya know? And I would try my best to blog nice things about them without compromising my integrity but sometimes, those lines started becoming blurred and I felt like I was being forced to say certain things. It wasn't very fun. Because as much as I wanted "all opinions to be my own," inside, I always had this small feeling of obligation to say certain things. And I didn't like doing that. So I stopped doing those kinds of sponsored posts completely. 

But then, that got me thinking. You know what one of the many beautiful things about blogging is?? The opportunity to work with different brands and share them with you guys. Because honestly, there are sooooo many little boutiques and companies that are worth blabbing about and I didn't want to cut out that part of the blogging world completely. Because it really is exciting when I find something awesome that I think you guys would enjoy too. So basically, I decided to start it up again but be more picky with it. But guys, lets be real. Even if I'm picky, sometimes things still turn out to be.... meh. And when those situations arise, I don't want to find myself stuck in that same place where I was before. Feeling all obligated and stuff.

So this is what I'm doing. I'm letting all potential sponsors know that if I receive a product that I don't like, I'm giving them two options. The first is to pretend like it never happened. Meaning, I won't blog about it at all. Cuz' you know, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. And the second option is to go with the post as planned anyway. This way the company might not get the most positive review, but at least they're still getting some kind of exposure. Because you know, exposure is everything nowadays. So this is how I plan on keeping myself in check. I know it's not the biggest epiphany or anything, and a lot of bloggers don't need to go through all of this because they're already awesome like that. But I do. And I just wanted to share this with you guys. Because you's are all the beeestest ;)


And so with all that said, Mindy Mae's Market sent me this necklace and people! Isn't it absolutely beauuuuutiful!?! Why yes it is! - see how smooth I was with that transition just there? ;) Hah. But seriously, I mean look at it. It's a stunnah f'sho. Check them out okay?


<3

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wearing:
sweater: 2020Ave- - similar (1, 2, 3)
hat: anthropologie- - similar (1, 2)
shoes: dsw- - also here
necklace: c/o mindy mae's market
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17 comments:

  1. I think it's great more bloggers are starting to realize there's a downfall to popularity and sponsors... just a shame there are still a lot that just keep going along with it *sigh*

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    1. Ya I mean, I think that getting sponsors are great! And it's not like I get very many or anything, but I just didn't know how to handle certain situations in the past. But because of other bloggers' examples, I think I can be better now. Thanks so much for your comment! :)

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  2. I'm indifferent about sponsored posts. If the outfit looks good, it looks good!

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    1. I agree! I'm all about cute clothes. Especially if it's free and true to your style haha. But I'm just trying to be better about the specific sponsored posts that require an entire product review and stuff. And thanks so much for your honest opinion about the matter :)

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  3. I feel the same way you do about sponsored posts. I've already declined a few people and I kind of almost feel bad but at the same time if it isn't a good fit for my blog I don't want to force it on there and then lose readers because let's be honest, if you follow a blogger you know their style and once something is a little off they know. I want to stay true to my blog not to sound cliche but it's true.

    www.jerseygirltexanheart.com

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    1. I totally know what you mean! And I think it's great that you've already found what works for you and what doesn't. I'm still working on that. There's definitely some bloggers out there who are lucky enough to have a lot of sponsors and handle it so well. I applaud them :) haha thanks for your comment!

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  4. Thanks for clearing up the kinds of sponsoring there is. I don't have a blog I just stalk people with them lol. I've never thought yours seemed untrue but I think I can see where you're coming from. I never thought getting sponsored was a bad thing but now I'm just glad I don't have to deal with that pressure lol Keep up the good work us readers like what you've been doing so far

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    1. Aw thanks Chelsea! And I don't think getting sponsors is a bad thing at all. I think it's a great opportunity :) It's just the situations that arise that can be difficult sometimes. Glad to hear you think I'm doing alright though haha

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  5. I love that you cleared the air like this! I wonder if my readers think I'm a sell out sometimes, but the truth is I turn down a LOT of companies because they want me to talk about weird crap! (like i just got an email for adult diapers. uhhh, no.)

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    1. haha I'm glad you turned down the diapers lol that's hilarious. And I don't think you're a sell out at all. I feel like everything you do goes well with your blog :) keep doing what you're doing rachey!

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  6. Sometimes when I see people on YouTube all posting about a certain product... i just think, well, this is a clear sponsored post...and they all say similar things so I wonder if the companies provide a mini script or keywords for them to say. Ah well who knows!

    but yay good job for you to disclose how it works! Many people just hide it in the dark and slip in sponsored posts without disclosing it!

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Grace

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    1. Thanks Grace! As for the script thing, I'm not too sure either sorry :/
      But my opinion is that they probably don't script what they want the reviewer to say about the product. If anything, they probably just have a script for when they want the reviewer to introduce the company in general to viewers. If that makes sense? haha

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  7. Long time reader first time (I think) commenter. Thank you for being so honest and up front, I fond it hard when people have loads of sponsored posts or C/O items and they seem to love everything they are given, and I often wonder if they would love it as much if they had to pay for it or if they weren't making money from featuring it.
    I hope you can continue to be true to yourself and your readers and again thank you for being so honest and also for going into detail about how sponsored posts work.

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    1. Thanks Sarah! And you're pretty much on point about that. At least in my case. In the past when I accepted almost every sponsor, it was really exciting because well.... I got free stuff!! lol

      But when I really thought about it, a lot of the time I realized that I wouldn't love it as much if it weren't free. So yes, what you're saying is exactly right.

      But I hope readers also understand that as bloggers, being asked to review products and getting free things can be really rewarding and nice. Especially since blogging can take up a lot of time so getting paid to do something that we love makes it even sweeter.

      Anyway before this gets too long, it's a really tough balance between the two but hopefully I can keep myself in check. Thanks for your comment and support Sarah! :)

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  8. Great post Best yet on the subject.

    pinkandnavystripes.com

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  9. This was such a great topic and I loved your honesty on the matter! I've been in the same exact scenario and felt like I was too nice. I've definitely turned down more offers than I've received this past year because I want to share things that are good quality and that I genuinely like! That being said, Mind Mae's Market has adorable things and I've found them all to be great quality so far! In fact, I bought my bridesmaids' necklaces from there :)

    Jacy
    www.lovelenore.com

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Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I may not always be able to get back to you but just so you know, I read and appreciate every single one :)