We get lots of free stuff at urbanmoms.ca from companies hoping we will try their product and write about it. And sometimes we do. This is where Jen from Trend Watch gets a lot of her ideas and occasionally a product will resonate with another blogger and they will write about it on their blog. But often we don’t. Sometimes we use the product for giveaways to you, our members. But often, like when we get a sample of popcorn or a newly launched deodorant, this just doesn’t make sense.
Recently there was an article in the Globe and Mail about bloggers and all the free stuff they receive. The discussion was about disclosure and accepting gifts. Should they be allowed to keep the stuff? Should they write about it and endorse it without disclosing that they got it for free? Some felt that disclosure was critical and that their whole credibility was on the line if they didn’t let readers know the product was a gift but others felt they had a right to this free stuff and should actually be compensated for writing about it.
So where do we stand? Well, for one thing, when we write about a product, whether it was sent to us or whether it is something we tried on our own, we only ever write about it if we like it. And usually we will indicate whether it was sent to us by “the folks at XXX”. Also, we always try to get more for our members. Remember the recent Moxie Girl dolls we gave away? Or the regular book giveaways? Or the OVO tickets and Otterbottle giveaway? We prefer to give urbanmoms.ca members the free stuff as a benefit of membership in our community.
But what about all of the things we don’t give away and don’t try ourselves? Instead of hoarding free stuff we prefer to share the wealth. Not only does this benefit others but it works well for the brand too. They get the word out about their product instead of hiding away in my closet. We give books to friends, free samples to our nannies or cleaning ladies or neighbours, we give baby items to new moms we know, and toys to local charities or friends in need. Not only does it keep my office from getting even more cluttered but it feels good to give.
It can bring low self esteem, but if its constructive criticism which also tells you how you ought to enhance itll certainly provide improvement. But if its rude then thatll just provide reduced self esteem, distrust and introverted behavior. best solution is to just ignore the person criticizing you.
Wow – welcome to the 21st century – people have learned to distrust TV ads, radio ads and paper promotion so word of mouth is the way to go…Companies with products to sell won’t bury their heads in the sand hoping that their ad will be more believable than their competitors so they send stuff to people to try it and blog about it.
The more word of mouth that gets out there the more exposure their product gets and I for one know the websites that I trust (Urban Moms being one of them) are the the way for me to investigate a new product before I buy it. I don’t expect the people testing this product to buy it just to give me their views….I understand that they have probably been given it to try.
So that being said consumers do have to beware – find a site you trust and go with it or just ask your friends if they have tried it….it’s really is up to you – the rest is just suggestions…..
as the recipient of a really cool prize i’ll say i’m very grateful for you guys giving these away! i can’t imagine people thinking the companies don’t give you these things. i also take any review with a grain of salt as people have different tastes in different things. i like to make my own opinion of things but i do appreciate other points of view.
i would say it’s a perk of doing your job and when you pass these perks on you certainly make your readers happy!
I read that article a while ago (I think) and I remember thinking that we really need to give readers the benefit of the doubt. Whenever I see a blogger talking about how much they like a product, I usually assume that they got to try it out for free, unless otherwise stated. Of course they are. But I also assume that most bloggers have enough integrity to be honest in their opinions and truthfully let their readers know what they liked and disliked.
Most blogs do have a disclosure policy somewhere on their site, stating that they are compensated for product reviews. I, for one, have no problem with that! Like Kath said, most mommy bloggers/readers are well educated, so let’s not make the assumption that they have no idea that products are usually given as compensation for a review.
Yup Jen, as you know, this is a discussion that’s been going on for some time in the blogging community. Some people feel bloggers should never accept gifts or compensation for their work. While I disagree with that point of view, I do feel it’s important to disclose if a product was donated – I don’t think it affects the credibility of an endorsement (or criticism) if you’re honest & forthright. If anything, it enhances it. I also love the idea of donating samples to groups in need. It’s no secret that the mommy blogging community consists largely of economically secure, educated women…in other words, those of us with the time, knowledge and financial resources to do it. Why not share some of the perks with other moms who don’t have those advantages?