NaBloWriMo and Blog Dilemmas
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
NaBloWriMo is compelling me to contribute something today and I don’t wanna. I think I’ll just take this opportunity to address a couple of things that have crossed this blogs path. Do you have blog dilemmas?
I never saw this coming. After all I barely have 100 followers, so to think my blog or I are some big target for marketing never crossed my mind. Do you think of marketing when you read my blog? I don’t.
Apparently someone does. In the past few weeks I have received several solicitations to do product reviews. I am not a crafting blog or even an artist’s blog, so I can only assume I have screwed up my SEO.
I am going to leave it to you my followers, should I do product reviews? So far I have been asked to look at a catalog and pick a product, sorry don’t have time for this one.
Another asked me to choose between a baby diner, a fogless mirror and printable Halloween party games. I don’t know you guys that well but I don’t recall any of you mentioning you were looking for these items and who is having a party and not inviting me?
The last one offered me a gift. Put a link to this screen capture software on my blog and I get it for free. I’m all for free but I’d rather have $, wouldn’t you? Haven’t made up my mind on this one.
You folks can let me know, some of these say I can pass on the product to you. My other bit of blog dilemma is the fact I have collected some more awards this week. To those who thought of me, and you know whom you are, BLESS YOU. Your kind words and thoughts bring a wonderful tear to my eye. I will pass these on.
My last dilemma. I know we are grown ups and should not enjoy childish things but below is a video that just made me laugh. Watch for the car, I want that car. You don’t have to watch it all but watch until you see; this bear has back!
Peace.. I have to go get this song out of my head :~)
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31 comments:
I used to receive those requests but I don't blog to make money and I don't want to feel obligated to sell a product I don't believe in. Also, I'm a sucky seller.
CD
I blog because I enjoy it, but if you think you can make a few dollars well it's your decision.
I too like childish things as you may well know(The Slider) I guess we all have a little bit of a child in us somewhere,
Take care.
Yvonne.
Hi Jules,
Yes, I like the car ;-D oooh, this song, went viral a few years ago. My daughter and my son's girlfriend kept singing and playing it...augh.
This then spurned the Barbie song..augh!
I think we can only decide who and how, we want to put ourselves out there. I have had a couple similar situations and also wondered how I was demographically marketed to be aligned with them, their product. I was flattered, but passed on some. I did do a give-a-way that allowed me to share their name, in return they provided a gift for the winner. This was fine....Do what is best for you, what feels right! Fog machine...ooh, I want one and a gummy bear costume lol~
I've been getting a lot of those too, Jules! I thought about it and decided that isn't what my blog is about and that doing these 'reviews' and added links to 'shopping' would change the tone, feel and meaning of my blog. Although, I still read and follow the blogs that do. It's a personal choice & understand that some need or want the money, or that they just love doing those things! That's great for them. It's just a personal choice.
I know you will always do what you feel is right for you. You're very Real & a terrific person, Jules, no matter what you blog or don't blog about! :-)
Big Hug,
Coreen
Gummy Bears are my weakness. I watched all the way through, ow sad is that?
It all depends on the direction you want to go with your blog. Can you just put up the ads and continue writing? No easy answer for this?
I guess I did not explain this well. I will NOT get paid for this but you could get a free item. I'm not a seller and really am not interested unless they offer to pay me for writing the review. I just wanted to throw it out there.
I loved the video and the car. LOL.
I haven't been asked to advertise yet but I wouldn't do that unless it was something I love. The advice I received in a blog class I took was that ads make your site cheep and some won't visit you because of it.
I do have a blog roll that shows the things I love but I don't push it.
I loved the sentence you left on my Hump Day Improvisation post today.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
I'm a new follower *waves*
Ohh, I've been asked to do them too. I generally decline because that's not what my blog is about.
But really it's up to you.
:)
I don't even like the Google ads on blogs. They're distracting and annoying. I can understand a writer posting his book covers and links to published works on a sidebar, but an ad for a mortgage company? Or toothpaste? Ugh lame lame. IMHO of course :)
Hi Jewels! :D ~ As far as the adds go... I think that has to be totally up to you. Would the products fit well with your blog and your liking or not? I would only do it if seeing the products on my blog made me smile. It is your blog... you should like it!
As far as the gummy bear video goes... I am 100% kid at heart! My sons find things like this on you tube and show them to me regularly (this being one of them); I love it! I think I will have to follow suit and start sharing a few of them! :D
Take care... Corine
I think if something detracts from the fun and spontaneity of blogging there's no point.
Now, Ad-Sense I would do as a means of earning a little extra cash -- but product reviews, I don't think I, personally, would do unless it was something I truly felt compelled to and really believed in.
I was actually turned down for Ad-Sense, apparently my blog is an undesirable candidate -- who knew?
I wish you luck, my fellow rainbow friend, with your decision -- just follow your good heart (and the rainbow)!
Peace and serenity,
~Jo
'The End Of The Rainbow: Life After Bankruptcy'
Run, run far away from the solicitors. Just saying. :)
If you want to review a product, then as a follower I don't mind at all; this is your blog, and therefore YOUR decision!
Review if you like, it's your decision. Just don't forget the little people if you becom famous.
T
The Gummie Bear animation is fun.
I've said no to all review and ad placement requests. That's just not my blog style. (Outside of my own movie reviews, but sadly no one is paying me.) But this is YOUR blog. What do YOU feel like doing?
I agree with everybody who said review if you want to. It is YOUR blog. I review from time to time and I added an Amazon book and movie feature, because I talk about those things frequently. Go with what works for YOU.
I don't do reviews of products. I guess it's the "trust" issue I have. Lol. Kind of like those scams, I just never know if one of those product review questions is a scam of some sort, so I don't take the chance. Lots of other bloggers have done the product reviews though and seem to enjoy it. So, whatever floats your boat! :)
Oh and don't worry about the number of followers you have, just blog on :) You write, we'll read.
Purely up to you, but what I can say is that I don't visit here to read product reviews. I'm just saying. :)
well...as it is often said around here, it's your blog and you can do with it as you please. reading product reviews just isn't my bag any more then having to contend with google ads. our club has the google ads on our web site but the only time it generates money is when the members click on them. i read your blog because it's a worthwhile read. far as i'm concerned, that's the idea of blogging and following blogs. i'm already richer because of the valuable friends i've found:)
i like and agree with DL Hammons comment:)
btw....i loved the video and gummy bears!
I think its nice when they give you something to giveaway to your readers. lol
I think its nice when they give you something to giveaway to your readers. lol
I totally ignore those emails and requests to market. That is not what my blog is about. You have to answer that one for yourself though. If the products are something you want to put your name and blog behind, go for it.
Catchy song!
I delete most of those offers but that would have to be up to you.
Hi Jules, sticking my head in to say hi. Haven't been on blogger much this week. :(
Love the gummy bear song, I hadn't heard it before (no kids). I bet you could work it in unobtrusively if that's what you want.
~that rebel, Olivia
I've only gotten one of those things....and he followed my blog! I don't have any advice-it's your blog after all....
Love gummy bears!
I get occasional requests and have ignored most of them. Perhaps in the future I will consider them. I say do whatever you are comfortable with.
I say: pass on the chintzy stuff. When they offer you a car to review (or a pony... either one), then it might be worth it.
Hi Jules,
Wow, you got a lot of comments here! What? Are you selling something? (haha) I didn't read all the comments, so this may be redundant, but I say, stick with your original purpose. If you start doing things you hadn't planned to do, you may get tired of blogging altogether! And since you're the one with the map, that would suck for all of us!
Okay, the gummy bear song is about as irritating for me as banana phone.
I agree with everyone else on the reviews. If that's something you want to do, then yes. I will add that any time you state an opinion, though, you are reviewing it, however informal the process may be.
I've gotten an occasional request. If it's not something you or your typical readers would have interest in, ignore it or reply and decline. If it's something that appeals... Go for it... Do what YOU want to do! ;D It's YOUR BLOG. I got the one for the download and had a funny feeling about it. Can't help but wonder what other crap may be attached to that download... I passed.
OH, loved your GummiBear! I didn't mind his crack... LOL!! Teens that don't know how to pull up there pants are a whole other story. (((HUGS)))
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