The business of blogging…every day my inbox is inundated with emails from both Brands & PR. This is pretty normal for most Bloggers that’ve been doing this for a while. Many of those emails are invites to attend an “exclusive” invite-only event, in hopes that I will share the event on my social media channels- in essence providing the Brand with free advertising. Sometimes the event or opp is worth it.
Many times, it’s not. It isn’t because attending an event requires me to alter my schedule & sometimes my family’s schedule. It requires me to travel to & from the event-which costs money. It requires my time, energy & effort – because I need to be on my game-taking photos & posting to my various SM channels.
Blogging is my job, not my hobby! I’m not going to attend an event & post about it just for fun. Those days are long gone. If a brand wants me to attend their function, provide pre-event coverage, live tweet while I’m there and provide post-event coverage, then THEY NEED TO PAY ME! There, I said it!
I’m not ashamed I said it either! Who works for free? Show me all the people that willingly work for free- I want to see them. Who works for a free lunch or dinner? I can’t pay my mortgage with a free lunch, sorry. Where are these people, because I don’t know anyone that works for free. Time & time again, as a blogger, I’m expected to work for no pay. Dare I muster up the courage to ask for compensation- because I might receive a slap on the wrist and not much else.
Today is the day I put my foot down- NO MORE! My work has value- I have value. Don’t expect me to work for free, when you know you yourself would never entertain the idea! It’s ridiculous & insulting! (I’m not talking about Social Good work, I will always be available to help causes I care about).
I used to attend every event I was invited to-post every press release I was sent- For What?! Why was I doing that? Why was I giving XYZ brand free publicity? Like many bloggers, I thought if I did, brand XYZ would see my worth & I’d be asked to partner with them for paid campaigns. It doesn’t work that way. Instead they saw me as someone that would willingly work for free-period. Nothing more.
I’m much wiser now. I value my work & expect others to do the same. If you want to partner with me, then let’s talk compensation. If you don’t have a budget-then I can’t afford to work with you. It’s that simple. Move on to the next blogger because this one ain’t doing it for free.
Glad I got that off my chest.
