Bloggers Unite! No More Freebies!

                               

                                                             
Greetings fellow bloggers! It is time to all band together, and demand equal pay.{Or some kind of pay}
Please keep reading, as I think you will like what I have to say...

For the past 6 months or so, I have been receiving totally unsolicited e-mails from PR firms, book author's agents, and others, pitching their client's products, books, services, franchises etc. Why do any of these folks think that I will write about the stuff they are sending me? The reasons could be:

1. They think that I am always looking for new things to write about.

2. They have run out of their own marketing ideas, so they want me to do the marketing for them.

3. They like things for free. For free. For free!

I am currently at a resentment level of DefCon 4, and by writing this nifty little post, I am hoping to avoid the total meltdown stage of DefCon 5!

Every time I receive one of these unsolicited emails, I say to myself, "Why would I want to help these folks?" Now, I don't want you to think that I am a selfish jerk, but this does bear the question of "What's In It For Me?" {WIIFM}

Here is the latest one:

Hi Joel,

My client, a 27 year old female entrepreneur, and owner of 24 businesses, has a great story that she will be telling in her new book called, "My 24 businesses, and my Dad's inspiration." ________ is a multi-millionaire, and loves helping other entrepreneurs. Maybe you could do a blog post about her, and her upcoming book. I can send more information over to you.

 I am so happy that ____ is a multi-millionaire. Have her people call my people, and tell them that for $300, I will do a blog post about her, and her new upcoming best freaking seller...

____was really inspired by her Dad, ____. He was a hard working guy, who held 5 jobs. He wanted to make sure that she would have all the chances in the world to blah blah blah, and blah blah blah.

I am starting to feel a little inspired myself. $300 would really get me inspired, though. {In addition, my child's college fund could get a much needed injection of funds. And when she asks me "Dad, do you really have to be on the computer so much," I can say that "Yes, sometimes I make money on the computer, and it will help you with college, honey}

I know what you are thinking. "But Joel, this blogging thing is about conversation, and word of mouth, and social networking...." I agree. But does the "marketing" aspect of blogging have to include weak  PR firms and even weaker newbie author's book agents emailing us bloggers and asking us to write stuff about their clients? For free? Are they using free internet press release services for their clients? Or are they using paid ones? Are they getting paid for their services?

And please, don't insult me and offer to send me some tennis balls, or a Motley Crue t-shirt, for writing a story. I own both.

Blogging is huge, influential, and powerful. Is anyone else out there sick of doing it all for free?

Let's unite! We want to get paid too!!

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

 

Comments

[Joel Libava]

UPDATE!
I received several private e-mails/Twitts concerning this post. Some were from PR professionals who said that I was absolutely right! One in particular mentioned 2 really important words:
"Creating Relationships."
Nuff said.
Joel Libava

[The Franchise King]

Thank you so much, Vicki!
Evan does a great job at his site, and has actually given me a couple of awards. Regarding a paid post, I would of course put an * in it, but make it conversational. We all have to keep telling stories....
Yes. Let's stick together. I will start by adding your "SmartWoman Guides" weblink to my "Blogs I enjoy" blogroll.
Thank you for your comment!
Joel Libava

[Vicki Flaugher]

Love the post, understand the frustration. Lots of bloggers ask for cash (and can get it depending upon the size of their audience) They sometimes sell ads rather than post a paid recommend that looks like an unsolicited review. I guess it all depends on your audience and what they expect at your site. No shame in getting paid, that's for sure.

If I am solicited, I reguire, at a minimum, an exclusive interview and/or a reciprocal writeup. I intend to add a media/press page that gives details and contact info and I will refer them there. That seems to work pretty well for other bloggers who charge. EvanCarmichael.com has a great revenue model. He's huge (gets about 300K uniques a month) but he charges for lots of things and gets it. Yes, we want to be paid and yes, bloggers are influence drivers. Best of success in your quest!

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman

[Jason Kealey]

The reason you feel frustrated is simple.

External parties know that the incremental effort needed on your part to help them out is minimal. However, you're the only one who knows how much effort it took to get to this point.

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to get a return on your investment, without alienating your visitors.