Blogging Vs Self Marketing
I haven’t been a blogger for very long, really. Sixty posts to be exact. Very short career so far, however I’ve come to see that there are two kinds of bloggers out here:
1. The bloggers who write to share, vent and keep an online diary. Maybe make a few friends along the way. Get some creative ideas or insight. Be a part of a community of intelligent and diverse women.
2. The blogger who is more of a “get as many followers as I can by giving away lots of stuff”. They get these followers to promote their site for them. To me, the second they stop giving away “baby bumpies” or “silly wipes”, they are history. There’s little “real content”. I think of this type of blogging as “self-marketing”. Marketing of thy self.
I should stop right there, but of course….I won’t. I am thinking there is a good chance I will lose some of my own subscribers after this post. But hey, to me a blog is for expressing my feelings and that’s what I’m going to do.
I come from a marketing/sales background. I come to a blog and see that it runs contests or transparent product reviews and it’s pretty much over for me. I don’t like being “sold to” at all. The little red “X” box gets clicked faster than you can say “Publisher’s Clearing House”.
And I think to myself ”does the XYZ company who makes this product really believe that this is creating great consumer interest?” Seriously. Do they think that “mommies” are that gullible? That easily swayed by what is basically a written infomercial? Come ON!
Hello, Mr President of XYZ? This is not creating a huge demand for your product. People are only interested in it if they think they will get it for free. Just thought I’d let you know. When it comes time for them to have to buy it……you’ve lost their attention.
Now having said all of that.
- Nothing against the blogs who choose to pitch items. It’s just not for me. I have no interest nor the time to send 20 retweets, comment 15 times, follow you and then email you with a log of everything I’ve done just for the chance to win a “Silly Wipe”. I’m not interested in promoting your site just so I can now wipe my kid’s behind for a week, the “Green Way”.
- I am not putting down the person who is asked by a company to review something, states that they were asked to review it, gives an honest, objective opinion and then gives one away as a reward to followers. These bloggers aren’t asking for 35 tweets, 15 retweets, 12 forwards, 515 comments, and 3 emails in order to “have more chances”. :::cough:::
What led me to write this post/rant? As of late I have had two “commenters” that shall remain nameless. These commenters don’t even bother to read the actual post they are commenting on. One such comment was “Today is my day to comment on my loyal followers blogs. Come see my new giveaway at www.ihavenodignity.com. ” Yay me. Blech. And delete you go.
Excuse me but that is rude. I’m not your billboard. You can prostitute your blog all you want…but don’t be soliciting here.
Okay, I’m done.
Good for you. I also try to delete all of the self promotional comments on my blog as well. I find it rude and insulting to have someone not even read your content and then leave a link back to their promotion.
.-= Momisodes´s last blog ..Heavy things =-.
[Reply]
@mommywords on twitter.
said:
Nancy I am totally on board with this. I actually have read a lot of the “original bloggers” (from 5+years ago) recent posts on no longer wanting to be associated with mommy bloggers because of this detour from valuable content and worthwhile writing. Some of these blogs make mommy bloggers look pretty nasty. They have said that it makes it harder for those of us who want to find content driven blogs to find them and I agree. I click away from enough sites every day to equal the time it would take to read a really great entry, and that makes me sad.
Now, I do not believe they, or I, or you, are speaking of the sites that spend full time hours researching products and providing in depth reviews and giving moms a sort of piece of mind about the products they try. I mean blogs that were set up as product REVIEW sites – and not for paid reviews. I believe they, and I, and You, are speaking of the bloggers who seem only to be doing it for the free “swag” and the followers so they will get more free swag. It particularly annoys me when they do not even give a real review of the product. It could be total crap.
And Amen! I, like you, do not do the million tweets thing because I need time to write content filled posts and I really care about the design of my blog as well as I am trying to learn web design the hard way. (I know you can appreciate that Nancy.) I also want to blog to meet people and share experiences and advice, tears and laughter, and I don’t think giving you crap is going to make you care what I say – will it? Of course if it will I am giving away free cyber hugs to friends who are having bad weeks!
Great post. I will keep coming for the content babe!
P.S. I actually have reviewed a lot of products on many different sites and am sort of nervous to post any of them on my site because I do not want to move away from my content as well or be clicked away from by lovely women like you! I will post some at some point but never at the expense of content and in more of a check this out way that some bloggers do – a little blurb with a link if you are interested.
.-= Brittany at Mommy Words´s last blog ..No More Children Forgotten in Cars =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 4th, 2009 at 10:10 PM
I am all for reviews when it’s about sharing your knowledge, information, research, pros, cons and ratings. I’m the queen of cnet.com reviews. I research everything to death and I appreciate these types of reviews. It’s the infomercial ones that I see on so many sites that rub me the wrong way.
Your blog is one of the blogs that I check consistantly. Posts and blogs that review “life”, so to speak.
Thanks for your really helpful comment, Brittany. I was a little nervous when I published this post that it would be taken poorly.
[Reply]
I agree. I don’t read blogs that are nothing but give-aways and reviews. It’s boring.
.-= Niki´s last blog ..A Change Has Come =-.
[Reply]
@BrilliantSulk on twitter.
said:
Oh boy. You took the words right out of my big mouth.
Except I may have used some profanity along the way….
[Reply]
*Chuckle*
I had to give a little laugh because I just did a giveaway on my blog – not something that I normally do! On top of that I just lost one follower. After reading your post I thought I might be you! LOL
Your post really got me thinking today. And I mean really deep thoughts (who would’ve thunk?) about blogging. I’ve been blogging for less than a year now – and when I finally felt my groove we picked up and moved and I have yet to get back into that groove! Not for lack of desire, that’s for sure. But I started my blog as a place to post my domestic-goddess creations (sewing, cooking, etc.)in hopes to meet other moms/people that do the same. It’s been AWESOME. But lately (because of our move) I’ve been doing some things a little differently. Mostly because our household goods (and everything else) has yet to be shipped to our new home. No sewing machine (gasp!), cookware, etc. etc. which means no posting of crafts! Soon….hopefully soon!
I think a lot of bloggers, especially those just starting out are still trying to find their way…find their comfort zone, you know? But I totally get what you are saying. I don’t want to retweet, follow people that I really don’t care to follow, etc. etc. UNLESS I REALLY want to win whatever it is you are offering!
Have a great weekend! Totally enjoying your blog! 60 quality posts!
.-= Sharon´s last blog ..I’m a Winner! =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 5th, 2009 at 8:44 AM
How funny…I lost a follower too!! but i did gain a couple of subscribers.
Hoestly, everyone does what interests them and that’s fine. This is what makes the world go round. My real issue is with people that comment here and never even bother to read the freaking post.
I’m right there with you…figuring out my way. I thought this blog was going to be yapping about my shopping addiction. That was what my very first post was about. I barely even mention shopping at all in the other 59 posts.
Thing is….you write a post. You put a piece of yourself in it…only to read the comments and see someone ignore what you’ve written and self-promote. That’s just so RUDE!
Thanks for commenting, Sharon.
[Reply]
@orangepeelings on twitter.
said:
I completely agree! When I first starting blogging I couldn’t figure out how they were able to get all the promotions and free stuff and I considered looking into it. Then I started to read more and more blogs and I realized that the promotion blogs were the ones I was skipping over. I’d much rather blog for friendship and advice and support. Not more free junk…
Nice post!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..Flashback Friday ~ September 2005 =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 5th, 2009 at 11:56 AM
That’s pretty much what I do, skip over the sites that are completely about giveaways and contests.
[Reply]
@beths_confusion on twitter.
said:
Good post! I don’t mind when a person has a review or giveaway as a way to reward loyal readers, some of my favorite blogs have done this & they do it the RIGHT way. I appreciate the work they put into what they do & that it’s interwoven with who they are. It’s authentic, it’s a good review & the giveaway relates to the person doing it. There is also total disclosure on what they are doing, they have wonderful content that is the core of their blog. I regularly go and read their blogs for the content not the giveaways.
BUT I’m NOT interested in a blog that is poorly reviewing & giving things under the guise of being a “personal” blog when there is NOTHING PERSONAL THERE or ANY DECENT CONTENT!! [note this is TOTALLY different than a blog that states it IS a review blog, but still good reviews that are professional matter there too. there are some excellent review blogs out there & are upfront about being a review blog] My problem is with the fake “personal” blog. Those are simply free advertorials for a bunch of companies who are using poor marketing skills, having a relationship that makes sense is better than simply a bunch of haphazard blogs pairing up with anybody & everybody under the sun. It’s also not a good way to build your blog by trying to simply drive traffic, people come for the giveaway but then DON’T stay. Do those people really get to know the person doing the blogging or develop a long lasting relationship with the company being blogged about? I don’t think so.
I’m also NO fan of the drive-by comment. If you want me to come to your blog, comment on the post not just offer a link or self-promotion. I will come by & do the same because I LIKE getting to know people. I like reading other people’s blogs, I enjoy it a lot. But DO NOT SPAM ME!! I already have your address when you comment.
.-= beth aka confusedhomemaker´s last blog ..Labor Day Staycation Sounds Better Than Just Hanging Out =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 5th, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Now you could have written a post on your own blog about this! I really do appreciate the comment and that you took the time to write it
[Reply]
@trinmom on twitter.
said:
I think you’ve really hit on something here Nancy. As you said, I think most of us are out here expressing ourselves, getting feedback, sounding off. We build connections, and to those people I’m connected to, I love to hear your thoughts. So I look forward to hearing what you think about products. I enjoy an honest-to-goodness review. It’s like hearing from your real-world friends what their experiences have been like. You use that to inform your purchasing decisions.
I also do think that there’s room for a dedicated product reviewer. I can think of one right off the top of my head. While her content is mostly reviews, I like her reviews.
BUT I think the category that seems to irk people, is the superficial review. If you’re only doing it to drive traffic to your site in order to be able to do more reviews, then there’s not much motivation for me to come back to you. I’ll only follow you if I like your content.
But I don’t think review sites should go away altogether. I think there’s room for them, just as there’s room for self expression. I do think that marketers should pay more attention to blogging in general to understand exactly who they’re connecting to. Many of them are a little slow to it, but I think it will eventually get to the point that they’re more selective about their reviewers.
I’m fascinated watching the whole thing evolve.
.-= Mom of Three´s last blog ..It’s all in your head… =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 5th, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I agree that there IS a need for review sites. But do it with integrity! Tell me the good and the bad. Tell me the pricing. Tell me how often you use it. Tell me if you’d let your mom spend money to buy it.
Be honest, Be informative…..just don’t be an infomercial. I could care less if you give one away or not. I’m not looking for “free” stuff. Just an honest and complete review so that I can make a wise and knowledgable choice on it.
Thank you for your thoughts
[Reply]
i have to confess..i am somewhere inbetween.
i did that ‘subscribe me’ to ‘get this’ routine 2 times and i got several people to subscribe to me.
i do plan to do 1 or 2 giveaways per month.
also
i do mingle with moms who do tons of giveaways.I enter in few giveaways just to build goodwill with them!
I actually won a giveaway just yesterday! pdf to word converter worth thirty bugs.I plan to do re-giveaway of it as i already have it! i know regifting is so so cheap! lol!
i agree not reading the post is not good…and shameless selfpromotion is stupid…but i have to confess i did that once when i changed my url and went from wordpress.com to wordpress.org
well! to each his own i guess..
shraddha
.-= shraddha´s last blog ..HAPPY WISHES =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 5th, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Different strokes for different folks. Again, I don’t have anything against giveaways and contests. They can be fun. My thing is about lack of substance and transparency, really.
[Reply]
I follow blogs because of their content not their giveaways. Sure I like free stuff, but to be honest most of the stuff that’s being given away, I don’t want.
As far as the comment that was left- that is just plain rude. I don’t like comments when the person hasn’t even bothered to read what you write. I’ve gotten ones that say something along the lines of, I visited you, now you visit me. Why so I can not read your blog too?
I’m glad you wrote this. You have a valid point and it is your blog you can write whatever you want.
.-= Unknown Mami´s last blog ..Fragmented Fridays =-.
[Reply]
so glad i read this — as a new blogger,both as a reader and a writer, i’ve noticed that there are so many give-aways – and my first thought was, ok, i am a collector, and i love stuff, but if you ask me to give it away, i might get stingy on you so i wasn’t sure what in the world i was even going to be able to give away! so thanks – you just answered that dilemma for me — the answer is nothing!
on a different note, thank you for being my loyal reader in these first few weeks that i have started my blog — it’s really been nice knowing that i have at least one reader out there and i’ve appreciated your comments!hoping i make it to 60 too!
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 6th, 2009 at 9:58 AM
Thanks, Jennifer! I look at your blog and it makes me jealous that I don’t have the time to do these creative things anymore! I used to have so much time for great projects. You have a really great blog!
[Reply]
I would be so upset if someone left a comment like that on my blog. So rude. Up there with the “Visiting from {insert blogging group here} wanted to say hi. Come visit me” rude and obligatory feeling comment.
It’s got to be pretty tough to write a review blog and keep the traffic going, but it’s not for me either. I actually tried,but just felt bad bombarding my Twitter followers with Tweets about my contests. That’s not why I signed up for this! Great post…
.-= LZ @ My Messy Paradise´s last blog ..She DOES Exist! =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 6th, 2009 at 10:00 AM
Those “visiting” from posts, I pretty much don’t approve either. I tried leaving a comment like that once. It just didn’t feel right to me.
[Reply]
LOVE IT. Could not agree more. If I see lots of flashy buttons and blinking lights, I am pretty much done. I also don’t appreciate people leaving comments without reading a whole post and riding on my coat tails. I had 3 comments like that on my most recent post. I could tell they only read the first few lines based on what their comments said. I went ahead and posted them because it made them look dumb, and that is what they get!
Hey, btw, I didn’t get your message on Mom Blog Network before I went to Etsy (I got antsy!) So, sorry I didn’t get back to you about a header! Hope you’re not offended – maybe next time? I get bored easily.
.-= Mox´s last blog ..Muffin Bottom? =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 6th, 2009 at 11:18 AM
No worries, Mox. Going to head over to your blog now and see what you came up with!
[Reply]
Fascinating posts. Fascinating comments. I’m not big on those bloggers who are ALWAYS giving stuff away. Once in a while is perfectly fine. But you hit the nail on the head; most of us are here for content. I think there are a lot of women out there who are busting their butts to make us think and laugh, and we have to wade through all kinds of crap to find them.
I too hate the self-promoting comments. I don’t know why but I hate when someone adds to every comment “Please visit me at . . . .” It just makes my skin crawl for some reason.
.-= faemom´s last blog ..Bad Guy! =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 6th, 2009 at 8:47 PM
I love great content. Your blogs is one of those with consistently great content.
[Reply]
I know you and I haven’t known each other too long but I’m sure you’ve seen that I do both personal content and reviews and giveaways.
I always worry when I see things like this, that people hate me for doing reviews and giveaways, but I do like doing them. I try to inject my personality as much as possible into my PR type posts to make them interesting and to make them mine. However, I like doing personal posts way more and I try to keep a balance. I get far more satisfaction from the personal posts and I spend crazy amounts of time reading other people’s blogs and commenting every day.
Like you, I’m not a fan of the visiting from, stopping by from, and come see my…type posts without any comment on the post. I find it rude. If I take the time to visit a blog, I’m going to read the post and comment pertaining to the post.
Now do you hate me because I’m a dual purpose blog?
.-= blueviolet´s last blog ..I’m Home with a Do Not See This Movie Alert! =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 6th, 2009 at 9:18 PM
YOu have a ton of great content, girl! I comment on your posts pretty often! And for the times when you DO a giveaway, you don’t ask people to promote your site 10000 ways to Chicago, you just ask that they comment. It’s how I’d do it if I had a giveaway.
I’m thinking of giving away my mother in law. Any takers?
[Reply]
Ack, I do give all those extra entry options all the way to Chicago! I just have one required comment and then a kazillion extra entry options that do everything you hate! LOL (but just pretend you don’t notice that when you next see it, ok?)
Thanks for the comment on my content. I appreciate that so much!
Mother in law giveaways just don’t seem to be that popular. I can’t imagine why??!!
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 11th, 2009 at 2:22 PM
lol..can we give mother in laws away? Is that legal??
[Reply]
Thanks for writing this. I’m a very new blogger, myself, and am stunned at how much there is to learn about Blog World. It’s like a whole other language to me. And I’ve found that if a blog is too flashy, has too many buttons to click, ads scrolling down one side and up the other, tons of giveaways – that there is usually very little relevant, interesting content. Don’t get me wrong – with regards to ads I don’t mind a fellow blogger trying to make a few bucks – it’s when the blog screams BILLBOARD for 15 products that I just click away as fast as I can.
I really appreciate your honesty here. I think too many of us are afraid to ruffle feathers but I like someone who isn’t afraid to shake things up. I’ll be back! (Said in my best Arnold voice)
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Coming Home Soon. Don’t bathe. =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 6th, 2009 at 11:14 PM
And I’ll be back to your blog too! Welcome to the blogging world!!!
[Reply]
Thank you for this. I am a very new blogger and really just want to write and have people get some enjoyment from it. I realize a have to promote a bit to get the word out but … it’s so disheartening to see all these sites with giveaways and memes and all the rest of it, giving each other awards, etc, etc and have all these followers. I don’t really feel like they add much value ot say anything that hasn’t been said before … I was actually thinking about hosting a giveaway just because I thought, Maybe I have to?
Or not. Thanks a bunch. You said exactly what I was thinking and it is really nice to hear!
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..Have you ever seen so many birds? =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 7th, 2009 at 8:44 AM
I thought the same thing when I started. How do I get readders? But you get them. You get them by reading other people’s blogs and commenting. It’s how you say “Here I am!”.
Welcome to blogging…..it’s really a lot of fun!
And I’m now following you, so you have one more reader!
[Reply]
Totally agree with you on this one. I am new to blogging too – been at it about 6 months – but I definitely don’t have a lot of time for those give-away blogs. I’d much rather read a well-written or funny post about someone’s life. I think it takes a lot more time and creativity also.
By the way, found you via Mom Blog Network.
.-= Mountain Momma´s last blog ..Dear Tourist: Please read so I don’t have to shoot you =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 11th, 2009 at 2:20 PM
Welcome to the world of blogging. I look forward to reading your posts!
[Reply]
Hello! I think I love you! Awesome post. Totally feeling the same way. Maybe I am just a content girl? I don’t mind doing a review or here or there but COME ON!
.-= JenniferG´s last blog ..The Secret Battle Waging In My House =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 11th, 2009 at 2:20 PM
And I love you too!! I’m now a follower!
[Reply]
This was a great post. It obviously created a lot of discussion. I don’t like comments that post their own selfpromotion etc. I enjoy a good read, I do also enjoy a giveaway but hate having to jump through a kazillion hoops to enter. I also love Awards but hate the ridiculous rules that go along with it. I often cringe when I get one now because of it. You want to make my day, leave a thoughtful comment.
Review sites are fine when they are well done and it’s obvious that that is what they are doing. Personally, I hate being sold to constantly because we can’t afford to go out and buy all those really neat things. If I don’t know about it, I don’t want it. If you know what I mean.
having said that I’m having a giveaway on my site… check it out…. just kidding ;0) *LOL* Okay maybe not too funny.
.-= zeemaid´s last blog ..I HATE Potty Training!!! =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 11th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
I promise that if I pass you an award, there will be no strings.
[Reply]
This cracked me up. I’m also not one for the contests, but reading them (as in glancing and closing out the page) always makes me smile because the item is usually for new babies. And I don’t have new babies anymore. YAY! So happy to be past that point…
.-= ck´s last blog ..sundays in myrtle beach =-.
[Reply]
Nancy
@ifevolution on twitter.
Replied on : September 14th, 2009 at 7:37 PM
Too true on the abundance of baby product giveaways. Point me to a nice Canyon Ranch Spa giveaway and you’ve got me!
[Reply]
Very interesting post -I admire how your conviction!
.-= Mama Plays Mozart´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday: Little Chef =-.
[Reply]
Nancy-
I totally agree with you on this! For the last couple of months I have done a lot of research on how to promote my blog. I’ll be honest. I’m slightly envious of some bloggers who have over a 100 followers and get comments on a regular. I do enjoy knowing that people like me content.
And even in my research and pursuing more blogs I have found more and more that do nothing but have 30 giveaways a week! I thought to myself “Well should I do that too?” But I don’t want to do that.
I’d rather have friends or ahem, followers who enjoy and like what I have to say and come back for that. Not for what I can buy them or how many contest I have.
I’m not opposed to the occasional giveaway. I’m still mulling over the idea for one on my blogs 1st birthday, but we should just get back to the writing.
.-= Alexandria´s last blog ..Guilty as charged! =-.
[Reply]
I totally know this is an old post, but I just had to comment on it.
You took all the thoughts right out of my head and put them in this post. I could not have said it better myself if I tried, and I have, but I came off much more harsh than you did… so, it remained in “draft form”.
I am noticing this more and more lately, and getting so frustrated with it! Awesome post.
I heart you!!!!!
.-= Michele´s last blog ..Pigglet on my Plate =-.
[Reply]
I am totally curious where I would fit… I have giveaways, but I truly hope they are not the focus of my blog. Right now, they are the only way I make money and hence can justify the hours I spend on the content and development of the site… It is very confusing where to fit in the scheme of blogging.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Learning through Cooking with Toddlers & Prechoolers =-.
[Reply]
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