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Ask

By Kimberly Coleman
Mom In the City

One of the questions I get asked the most is, “How do you get such great items to give away on your Mom in the City site?” So, that’s what I want to address in this article. I’m not going to get into whether or not you should hold giveaways? If so, how many? Should you charge for giveaways? Those are all separate points. On my stated topic, I have one main piece of advice: Ask.

One of my former roommates’ favorite sayings was, “You do not have because you do not ask.” I agree. Although I have only been blogging consistently for the last year and a half, I have been in the online “mom space” for over four years. (“Mom in the City” was a website for my offline mom group before it was a blog.) Even before I began blogging, I reached out to companies to offer discounts, giveaways, and to host special events for moms. I crack up laughing when I look back at some of my early emails that I started out with: “I have 67 members…” In my mind though, those 67 moms were awesome and any marketer would have been lucky to reach them. I had an email newsletter and actual offline events, so I knew that my members were an amazing, eclectic group of women from all professions and all cultural backgrounds. I still feel that way about my readers.

I asked for what I wanted to offer my readers and let the various companies know what they would get in exchange (placement on my site/in my newsletter; a presence at my offline events; feedback from the moms, etc.) Some said yes, some said no, some never responded. I was okay either way. It was business, not personal. I must say though that it was easier for me to accept rejection because my primary method of communication was email. I am not a salesperson. I never would have gotten into this if I actually had to call people on the phone and get rejected!

Over the years, things have changed and now companies reach out to me for the most part. Still though, from time to time, if I see something in a parenting magazine or some other type of media that I think my readers would enjoy, I’ll reach out to the company and ask. In my opinion, asking is not a problem if it’s done in a professional way with the proper motivation. Personally, I love giving things away and I can’t think of anyone who deserves special treats more than moms of young kids. I will never tire of reading “happy” emails with “Oh my gosh. Thanks so much. I never win anything!” (My husband says that “Santa Claus” would be my ideal job.)

There are other points that I would like to make, but this article would go on forever. Along with asking: be purposeful, be professional and cultivate relationships. (You can always email me at kcoleman@mominthecity.com to elaborate on those three points or for specific advice on giveaways and/or review items. I’m more than happy to share.)

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Comment by Kim Eich on June 28, 2009 at 10:24am: Thanks for this report. I am close to hosting my first giveaway on my site to celebrate a 1000 followers on Twitter and this encourage me even more to continue.

Comment by Kimberly on June 24, 2009 at 3:06pm: Thanks to everyone for your encouraging words!

Lyndsey,
As far as which companies to approach...I think that depends on you/your blog/goals/etc.

For instance, I have recently decided to stop doing giveaways with values less than $50 (for the most part - unless I have a special personal connection with the company). It takes a couple of hours for me to compose a (good) post/promote a giveaway properly. That's why I made that decision.

There's no hard and fast rules though. Just stay true to yourself and to your readers...

Comment by TanishaRenee on June 24, 2009 at 12:32pm: Thanks for such an informative article! I have been blogging for over 2 years now and just recently found out that sponsorships and product reviews/giveaways even existed. This, as well as the responses has been very helpful!

Comment by J. Fergie on June 21, 2009 at 8:43pm: great article kimberly!! and so true. i am living by that saying in my sponsorship outreach for Blogalicious!

Comment by Dena Dyer on June 21, 2009 at 4:33pm: Great, timely advice! I do giveaways periodically, but there is a fine line for me between looking like I'm profiting too much from a blog and being of service. I don't want to seem that I'm just blogging for the freebies--it's more about encouraging my fellow moms. Thanks a bunch! :)

Comment by MicheleD on June 21, 2009 at 9:13am: Great advice Kim. I did the same for my first ever blog giveaway about a year ago. I just asked and was absolutely amazed at the response I received from my sponsors. These days, I'm approached by companies and PR firms, but that doesn't stop me from asking when I see something that I think will interest my readers. Thanks for sharing the power of asking! :)

Comment by Lyndsey on June 20, 2009 at 10:52pm: Wow, this was a great topic. I am nearing 100 followers, and I would love to be able to host a giveaway for my readers when I reach that milestone. I have just started approaching a few companies. So far, I have received one very kind no, but I somehow feel reassured by even receiving an answer from a company :-)

I'd love to know how other pick the companies that they approach. Do you look for small companies that can really benefit from your mention of them or do you just approach any company that has something neat to offer?

Comment by Divina on June 19, 2009 at 10:23pm: Hello really good advice. For my son's first b-day party I sent a couple of emails to some internet b-day supplies and got all sorts of free goodies.

Comment by Kimberly on June 19, 2009 at 7:34pm: You're pretty awesome yourself Tanyetta (AND you make some cute babies!)

Comment by tanyetta on June 19, 2009 at 4:15pm: kimberly is awesome!

Comment by Discovery Woman on June 19, 2009 at 3:43pm: All the views are so valuable in this discussion! Thank you Kimberly for such a great channel of discussion generation and motivation.
Would love to comment on MorethanMommy's point of view: I do support that a sincere, personal touch for each review is what you give to all the parties involved. That is your goodness done to this world of various products and services. Thank you.

Comment by ahappyhippy mom on June 19, 2009 at 3:16pm: Great article! Thank you.

Comment by MorethanMommy on June 19, 2009 at 1:53pm: Well, I'll answer Desiree anyway. You don't "sell" your recommendations. You seek out products that interest you and that you would be excited to talk about. You review them honestly. I make it a point to always find something positive to say and to find something critical (constructively critical). I'm like that in real life, so it's not hard to me to do online. I'll tell a friend, "Oh, it's a great movie, but your kids might be scared by X and Y." Or, "I love this product, but the batteries are a pain to replace. Wish they would make it easier." And I try to always be honest about the fact that I have received the product for free. I also write as a journalist, and I don't consider the items I receive to be "payment" for the review. I receive items so I can write a review. Getting a freebie is a perk of the job overall, but not worth selling out for.

Anyway, this is a great article. I agree completely. PR people are constantly pushing their products, so I have absolutely not problem asking for something to review or giveaway. And, while they are helping me by giving me something to write about, I know they I am helping them as well.

Comment by Kimberly on June 19, 2009 at 1:39pm: This post is about giveaways (items that you give to your readers) not reviews. If you email me, I'll let you know my thoughts on reviews.

Comment by Desiree on June 19, 2009 at 1:31pm: That's a great article. But how do you review stuff without seeming like you are profiting or exchanging a positive review for "free stuff?" I write as a reporter, so I try to remain unbiased. How do you maintain credibility if you are simply "selling" your recommendations?

Comment by Kimberly on June 19, 2009 at 11:47am: Kim Rosas, you make a very good point about video. It's more difficult to share the benefits of certain products simply with pictures...

Comment by Kim Rosas on June 19, 2009 at 11:06am: I am in a niche market, most of my reviews/ giveaways focus on cloth diapers. So far companies have been very receptive, or kindly declined. Very few ignored me completely. I just let them know what is it in for them and for the public. Since not everyone can see cloth diapers in person, my video reviews have been well received. Companies want their product seen in more than just pictures,

Comment by Felicia Pratt Ellis on June 19, 2009 at 10:11am: This is a great post. I have been wondering if it was okay for me to go after a company and simply ask. You have definitely motivated that part of me. I think I'm going to keep a better look out for various items that I feel would help my readers/clients.

Comment by Courtney on June 19, 2009 at 9:44am: Great post! I'm very, very new to both the blogging and product review communities, but I have had a great response from companies. Obviously I don't have a ton to offer them in terms of numbers of page views, subscribers, etc - but I believe that because I am very clear about what I can offer them and what they can expect/get from me in return for sending their product, I've had a great response. There was no big secret - I just went on their site, found their email and hit send! Rejection is way easier over email, but if you're rejected (or just don't hear back) it's because you weren't a good fit for them and that's okay! You'll be a great fit for someone else :)

Comment by Monkeysmomma on June 19, 2009 at 9:36am: I completely agree. That is how I started out doing giveaways on my blog. When I found an online shop or even a shop that sold offline too, I put on my Big Girl Panties and sent them an email, complimenting them on their products and asking if they would be interested in a review/giveaway. Some said "No", but more than likely, they said "Yes". All you have to do is ask!