For some reason, even though I don't do a lot of reviews, I get a lot of requests from PR people. Some bloggers spend most of their time bagging free stuff and reviewing it. Some of them get really good stuff like holidays too. Me? I can't be bothered. If I read a good book, or something is offered that I like the sound of, I'll take it and review it but it's rare.
Maybe part of the problem is that most of what is on offer wasn't appropriate to my lifestyle ten years ago, never mind now. And I'm guessing that a lot of my readers aren't the target audience either. Here are a few currently in my Inbox -
'Hi Toni - I’m excited to introduce you to this great company that has the cutest nursery products that are Fair Trade! I’ve provided information below specifically about all of the amazing products XYZ has to offer! If you’re interested in a feature, I’d be more than happy to request a sample for you! Enjoy! :)"
And yes - there really was a smiley face at the end. Here's another -
"Hi Toni -While it is common for parents to complain about the weight of car seats, one can agree that their child's safety is the #1 factor in choosing a seat. Yes, carrying around a 20lb. child inside of a hefty seat can be strenuous, but that is easily outweighed by the peace of mind that your child is safe and secure when traveling."
Hmmm. I know they say they love my blog but something tells me they haven't read a word. My youngest is almost as tall and heavy as me.
Not at all sure why I was sent this one either -
“Stay At Home Dads”
Today Person-I've-Never-Heard-Of focuses on the growing phenomenon of stay-at-home dads. The American family is rapidly changing. In a whopping 40% of American households, it is the women who are now bringing home the bacon. And it’s the Dads who are cooking, cleaning and raising the kids. We’ll meet some stay-at-home dads and find out if this role reversal is making them happier or secretly resentful."
Although this one might work-
Today Person-I've-Never-Heard-Of focuses on the growing phenomenon of stay-at-home dads. The American family is rapidly changing. In a whopping 40% of American households, it is the women who are now bringing home the bacon. And it’s the Dads who are cooking, cleaning and raising the kids. We’ll meet some stay-at-home dads and find out if this role reversal is making them happier or secretly resentful."
Although this one might work-
"Whether Mommy is helping the kids find the perfect costume, spraying spider webs on the shrubs, or running to get candy at the last minute, Halloween can give mommy the willies! So, we suggest tucking in the little ghouls and taking a moment to relax!
Mommy can take a break with a glass of Mommy’s Time Out® wine and a few choice morsels of her favorite candy by her side! (There’s no reason the kids need to know you’ve pilfered their take!)"
But seriously PR people, if you're peddling anything for parents of kids under the age of 13, I'm not yer blogger. Plus, look at my blog. Do you see anything that remotely suggests I'm a plugger of other people's products?
Exactly.
I'd take them up on the wine! But seriously, these people make zero effort to do their due diligence. They figure if they throw enough "free" things out there someone is bound to take them up on it.
ReplyDeleteExactly. I used to reply to them saying that due to the fact that it wasn't relevant, no thank you. Now I don't bother.
DeleteYou do have 'mum' in your blog name, so you're just asking for it! Of course you get asked to review toddler products because that's what mums blog about. What else? Ha ha. Doing product reviews sounds like fun, but that sort of thing doesn't go on much here in the Netherlands. Having said which, someone I know has a travel blog and has won all sorts of blogging trips. The nearest I've got are self-publishers of e-books who ask me to read and review their books on Goodreads. As if I didn't have a houseful of good books waiting to be read. And what if the books are awful? I'm quite good at writing snarky reviews, but not if somebody has sent me their own 'masterpiece' for review.
ReplyDeleteYes, some of my bloggy friends have worked hard at their brand and do get some great things (including trips) to review. I got offered incontinence underwear for pregnant women last week for Pete's sake. I also once agreed to review a book which was relevant to the Expat part of my name and it was just not up my street. It wasn't bad, just not my taste so i told the publicity person that, and said I wouldn't write a review and offered to send the book back. They were OK about it I suppose because they would rather not have a tepid review.
DeleteCrazy isn't it? I have a set of standard replies I send and probably my most used one tells them I only review products applicable to my family. Babies and toddlers are long gone. Mich x
ReplyDeleteI'm impressed that you reply. Perhaps I should put a paragraph together and then just wing that out every time.
DeleteThis is an outrage! Where are the test runs for a housekeeping service? Pool boy ( pool optional )? Daily massage therapist? Vacation that includes all of the above?
ReplyDeleteQuite!
DeleteYou know me.
ReplyDelete< delete >
Every. Bloody. Time.
LCM x