A few weeks ago, I received a very suspicious email. Someone loved my blog and was proposing that I share a check-list along with my savvy advice to start a conversation about something.
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(very perplexed face)
The story
Very quickly I checked what the brand was all about and I rapidly decided that as I don't currently have a job, this was something I could do. The product they're selling is not something I would buy right now and certainly would not buy from them as there are plenty of other brands available in my own country/area. But I could totally buy something similar in the future and it is something I would recommend.
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I answered that I was interested about doing a collaboration but I wondered what were their conditions.
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In their reply, I saw no indicator of compensation but advice on how I should write the post: not making their product the center of attention, sharing my tips and advices that would make great resource for my readers.
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I said: OK but I ask for compensation. I threw the $400 number at them because at this point 1. this whole thing had me stress out 2. I don't have a job 3. I was sure this was going to take hours to write.
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They replied they were not at this time looking to sponsor posts but rather inspire conversation. I'm sure I sound a bit angry when you read this but they were also polite and nice saying that they would completely understand if compensation was needed to move forward with the collab. They also linked a post someone had already written following their instructions.
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Completely scandalized by this, here is, word for word, what I sent them:
I'm sorry to say this so plainly but - are you crazy?
I don't work for free and I don't understand what's in it for me to start a conversation about (...). I understand it is to let people think they should get (...). Seeing your checklist they'll think they should buy your product.
I respect my readers and will not trick them into doing something like this especially when it will not be clearly apparent that it is a sponsored (I meant collab) post.
I also respect myself, my creativity and my time. Would you work for free? I don't think so.
Sorry we can't move forward with this but you should really rethink your promoting strategy.
My advice
- You shouldn't work for free
- You shouldn't partner with a brand that do not want to disclose you're working with them
- You shouldn't write posts to inspire conversations - it's still a very insidious way to promote a product!
- You should tell them what you really think of what they are asking: they're asking that you work for them, that you promote something for them in exchange for nothing - what's in it for you? Call them out for it!
- I repeat, YOU SHOULDN'T WORK FOR FREE
I also read a very compelling and well written article on the subject of working with brands that should interest you if you find yourself in a similar position. The Blogger's Ultimate Guide to Working with Brands by Morgan Timm was really helpful to me as I was a bit shy at first to write a sassy email. I'm usually a very outspoken person but collaborating with brands is not something I aspire to do and feeling like I was no expert I wasn't really sure about my feelings on the matter.
After a quick read, I realized blogging is real, it's not something that's happening somewhere out of this world. It's real life and I would never in a million years work for free - let's be clear: volunteering and reasonable overtime put aside. Why would THEY gain something 💸 out of this and NOT ME?
My thoughts on promoting stuff
Promotion on blogs and on Youtube can be very insidious. I have already found myself influenced by what I read or see from my favourite bloggers/youtubers to buy stuff I don't need/really like/want. Let's try to be sensible about our choices as consumers and realize why we want things. It's a difficult exercise, I know.
What are your thoughts on this? Did it already happen to you? If so, what did you do?
photo is of the desk of one of my favourite blogger, Danielle Moss
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