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Permalink Reply by JenReg on March 28, 2009 at 10:26am

I don't know if I have a good suggestion, as I am in the same situation. I am getting more and more small companies asking me to just do a review (that there is no product for)...mostly online things. It's hard to say no, but I think we'll just have to toughen up a bit. I don't mind doing a "press release" if I think it's a company I might want to work with in the future, but I don't want my blog to become just one big advertisement. It is time consuming, and if they don't want to send a product for me to review, I'm going to have to learn to say no. Otherwise, that's all I'll be doing eventually!

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Permalink Reply by Stacey Crew on March 28, 2009 at 12:46pm

I would put a Guidelines page on my blog/site explaining how you review products, what type of products, and the standard procedure for submission and reviews. Direct the companies to those guidelines. There may be times where you deviate from the guidelines, but at least it establishes (in clear communication) how your work.

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Permalink Reply by Maternal Spark on March 28, 2009 at 11:41pm

I reply with my ad rates. I say something like - thank you for telling me about your site/product/company (then I say something I like about it.) At this time a review/feature/giveaway doesn't fit with my editorial schedule/goals. If you would like to reach my smart mom readers, may I suggest purchasing a banner ad? Then I attach my media kit / rates.

Often the recipient is a PR rep and they don't have authorization to buy ad spots but they say they will pass on the info. I don't know if they really do or not but I hope they do. I asked on PR rep on twitter if she would be irritated by this and she said no. She said her clients often liked getting this info and it makes it look like she's doing her best for them by passing it on. So that's what I do. So far I've had one person ask a follow up question but no sales (via this method). I'm going to keep doing it though. Doesn't hurt to pass the info on - you never know where it will end up!

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Permalink Reply by Katie Campbell on March 29, 2009 at 4:54pm

I just wish I had people asking me to do a review or a giveaway!!!

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Permalink Reply by Kimberly on March 29, 2009 at 8:08pm

I think that honesty is the best policy. I usually say something like. "Thanks for reaching out. Unfortunately, I don't think that this product/service/etc. is the best fit for my demographic (moms of preschoolers). Please keep me in mind for future opportunities. Thanks."

However, if there is a specific reason that I won't feature the item, I'll let them know (so that they won't pitch me similar items in the future). For example, last week I turned down a request to do a review/interview with a famous author because she was psychic-based. I simply let the pr person know that I don't promote psychic products on my site. She totally understood and I'm confident that we'll work together in the future on other book promotions (I love reading!)

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Perez on March 29, 2009 at 8:28pm

Thanks for the replies ladies! I will just do it honestly and site my reasons. I love this board everyone is always so helpful!

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Permalink Reply by Kimberly on March 29, 2009 at 8:33pm

Just tell them that you don't feel their product or service fits your needs at this current time and thank them for their interest in advertising on your blog. Plain and simple. Its not rude to decline just tell them that in the future if they a product they'd like to offer to shoot you an email again.

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Permalink Reply by Bec Thomas on March 29, 2009 at 10:17pm

Be polite and professional and let them know that the service offered isn't currently inline with your reader base but you'd like to do business with them in the future when they have products that do interest your base.

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Permalink Reply by Anne-Marie Nichols on March 31, 2009 at 10:19pm

I use this approach especially if the pitch is from a bigger PR agency or someone I already have a relationship with. Just keep it professional and be pleasant.

However, if the pitch is really awful, I don't bother responding. Not sure I'd want a relationship with someone who did such shoddy work.

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Permalink Reply by Amanda E on March 31, 2009 at 11:17pm

Most of the pitches I receive aren't even worth replying to. They just seem to be trying to get the word about their product or website. I only do book reviews, so I always reply to those. I don't do product reviews and I have a standard cut and paste message that I reply with saying that it isn't my policy to do them. I refer them to another product review site that I am friends with.

I have found a few people reply when I turn them down and try to debate me. Now that is annoying.

I have also replied and told them that they are welcome to buy an ad space if they want to promote their product/website on my blog. I haven't actually received any advertisers this way yet, but it might work. I know that they are just looking for free publicity.

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Permalink Reply by forgetfulone on April 1, 2009 at 12:00am

Just say, "I don't believe this fits with the direction I am going right now. Thank you for considering me." Or something like that. You could also give them a time to try you back, a few months, a year, whatever.

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Permalink Reply by Grocery Mama on April 1, 2009 at 11:36am

I do what Maternal Spark does.
If it's something I really like and they are sending me a sample, I do it for free.
If it's more of a press release, I send them my media kit and rates.
If it's something that really doesn't fit, I send them my alternate media kit. There is only one advertising option, a link way at the bottom of the my and a nice size charge for it.
If it's something that I don't agree with or endorse, like payday loan companies, I simply ignore it.

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