As a special treat, you get to watch me talk about the Bloggers’ Brunch held in Melbourne today.
Sorry about the clothes’ adjusting. But I couldn’t be bothered to re-shoot. It’s hot…..
If you were there, would love to hear your thoughts…
Who needs who more?
Can you spare a vote?
Great vlog Dorothy. I love your honesty. I am sorry I could not make it today. To find out what your guidelines are when it comes to dealing with brands and sticking to them will see you in good stead. xx
Thanks, Mrs Woog. I was a bit worried after I posted it, but then I thought of you and Eden, and I knew that I want to do this on my terms, not theirs.
I personally thought some of the brand reps were quite unsure wth they were supposed to do and offer us bloggers. One really nearly, put me to sleep, while I stood there and listened to their spiel about their products…offering only a discount for us – like..ummmWTH?! But, yes, I kept smiling like a jack ass! And another just passed on some info about their brand, without me even having a chance to ask them ANY questions – I thought that was a bit rude and flippant. BUT, there were four other brands that did stand out for me. One did say I could take more products provided I blogged about them…the thing is, I was keen on finding out more about their stuff, so I'm going to see where that one will take me. And another was really good at explaining their brand and intention clearly, even letting me voice out my “concerns” to them about the products on the market. Concerns that not surprisingly are pretty common. Another brand was honest enough to let me know that they were new and unsure of what to do but gladly offered a pretty generous offer of a giveaway. And the last one was I guess pretty interesting and I know I can build some kind of relationship with them. It was in all honesty pretty overwhelming, but as you go to these events, you begin to understand what you're interested in and what you're not, so you avoid those you know does not fit with what your blog represents etc. I still think though the brands need to learn that we are not just outlets to promote their stuff for free. They have to realise that with a well thought out plan, they can actually have a really great relationship – a win-win – with bloggers.
Great vlog, Dorothy. Really made me think.
You are adorable … next time, let's go and audition together. I'll do some tapdancing and the splits. You can play the tambourine and act out a mime.
Thanks for a great vlog. I'm new to all of this so I really appreciate the sharing so that I can learn!
Dorothy bravo! I came away unsure today especially over two brands, one of them had memorised a whole product talk but would not deviate and answer specific questions. I explained I like to review and giveaway to my readers, whhich they were not keen on. The other said if I give you this bag you have to blog about it, I explainded I would have to try the product first, make my mind up if I liked it and then tie it in with Easy Peasy Kids, then I just said thanks but no thanks because I don't like pressure to commit on blogging about a product I haven't tried.
Nx
No, you are! 😀
Yes we should. I might even try some belly-dancing….Can't believe that both you and Mrs Woog commented on one of my posts! My blogging goals have all been achieved! Frankly, that gives me more satisfaction than any goodie bag might. Now, if only I could pay my rent in comments….
Great vlog! Highlight for me was meeting everyone including you!! It was my first brunch so I took it all in! I thought it was interesting hearing a lot of brands focusing on what we can do for them and not the other way around! I absolutely agree that it felt a lot like us trying to audition for them ! I had a great time though just being in the company of some remarkable bloggers!
Love your thoughts on this Dorothy. I do not like the idea of auditioning either. I would prefer companies check out my blog and get a feel for how I work and then we work together to work out a plan that is going to benefit both of us. This is totally off topic but you should do more vlogs – I love listening to your voice and you are gorgeous! N x
I didn't even see you there to say hello 🙁
As a newbie I found the day really interesting and can see why you would I have felt that way. I too gave some product back upon learning a post was a condition of acceptance.
I spoke to the three brands I felt were relevant to me before the event started and was glad I did because when the marketplace started, it was crazy. A couple of reps gave me their card and suggested I call them, but I put it back on them. They have my card now and I've pitched my blog and story to them. I've followed up with a “great to meet you today” on their facebook and twitter.
That's as much as I'm willing to do for now. I'm hoping they take a look at my blog and get in touch, but if not, I'm not going to die in a ditch.I feel like we need to believe in ourselves and have confidence in our abilities. Yes these brands have a lot to offer us, but the reverse is also true.
Love your voice Dorothy. I went to the first bloggers brunch and I have to admit to feeling somewhat uncomfortable with how the brand/blogger relationship came across. It was very much of what you have voiced here but it sounds like this BB was more so. I get what u mean about the brands wanting to know whether to invest or not but the thing is OUR BLOGS ARE OUR AUDITION. And I'm so NOT into competing with other blogs to work with brands. I'd rather just go my own way than do this.
For me, it's more about if brands want to tap into what I have created on my blog, the concept if you will, and if they do like my concept, then I will work the product/service into what works with my blog/audience. Isn't that what makes blogging coupled with branding so different than other media mediums? It's unique; it's personal.
My interaction with the reps today was severely limited by the baby trying to alternately launch herself over my shoulder or bury herself down my dress. I was happy to see some of the brands there, felt a bit wtf about a big tick sheet with a timeline for blogging (srsly?), and grabbed a lot of cards with the intention of following up by email over the next week. I'll be interested to see what response I get as I have some pretty strict guidelines these days as to what is worthy of my time and blogspace.
Great vlog Dorothy and you are gorgeous as per usual xox
I can definitely see what you mean. Although, there was one brand there that blew me away, I cannot write a review about them due to being gluten free but they insisted I take a goody bag of theirs anyway as a treat – with no expectation to blog about it – and share it with my family and friends. That was great I thought. Another brand I told them what I would do and if they weren't happy then I wouldn't take anything, no they were happy with what I suggested. Others I had a great chat with and we came to a mutual understanding.
Thanks for sharing, I love that you just do what works for you 🙂
Wow Dorothy, thank you so much for your incredibly honestly vlog. (And the others are right, you should do it so often). I was so thrilled to be invited and had booked flights and was moving heaven and earth to get there, but due to being stressed out and sick due to moving hell, had to call it off to the last minute. I'm now glad I didn't go, because it would have been even more stressful, and Iwould have been disapointed in the end. I go to these things as a leap of faith thinking I've been invited because these brands have at least checked out my blog and want to deal with me. I don't have time or interest to 'audition' because I already have plenty of brands who want to deal with me and who I already knock back or choose to deal with because they are awesome. Sounds like many Australian blands and PR companies still have a way to go before realising how powerful bloggers, particularly Mummy bloggers, are, and how we won't be influenced by discounts or even free products. In fact, this is where our power lies and why our readers trust us. Thanks again. xo
Hi Bronnie, just wanted to let you know that brands participating participate in the event as an opportunity to meet you, and have their first introduction. You get to talk to the brands and decide if there is a fit there and if there is information of interest to you and your readers. The brands also get to hear more about you, from that point onwards. It's definitely not just about the free goods. It's about starting relationships, and seeing where they could go..
I know that the bloggers don't know too much about which brands are going to be presenting at these events, but do the brands have any idea about the bloggers? Prior information, and research, could make the relationship a bit easier to approach, from both sides even.
Perhaps an “audition” isn't such a bad thing if we consider that bloggers are more and more looking for recompense when being involved with brands, making what they do a “job”, and to get a job we tend to have to go for an interview. As long as it is made clear that there will be something of value for the blogger at the end, and it is done in a way that is comfortable and mutually agreeable to all involved (I don't know, I wasn't there. You don't seem comfortable about this to me, but that seems to be because there were no “terms of employment” discussed, you were just asked to “perform”).
These are just the thoughts that come into my head from hearing what you had to say.
LOVE LOVE LOVE your vloggy voice and your honesty. Big Strengths there 🙂 I had some discussions at the BB and know you are not alone. I try to keep my mind open and must have missed some of the more 'full-on' brand presenters. I found Coles, VitaW and Logitec very accommodating and easy to get along with (hope it's okay to mention brands). I actually tried to talk to the brand reps about why they had come and how they thought bloggers could assist them. Got some interesting answering :O) But yes there was that one company ~ which I did give my name to and did take a toy from, which my girls are loving playing btw. The way they handled things did make me feel like a little kid getting a big important present who should be very grateful, nice and polite about it. IYKWIM. From their perspective I guess they need to know they're going to get some results/returns. Perhaps they didn't from their last BB experience?? I'm guessing they need some more education about the blogging community and how we works. On a positive side they obviously realise the impact we as bloggers can have – they just need to find a better way to engage us. Bit of round table discussion or communication needed. Our passion and their desire to be involved could be a great thing if it's handled right.
Love this post D, thank-you :O)
Great feedback Caz – its great to know about the different ways brands interacted with the attendees and what clearly works and how some brand angles and approaches can be improved. Great idea about the round table discussion. You are absolutely right that if there is a way to involve your passion and their desire it serves as a great thing! Its definitely work in progress and the important thing is that there is progress!
Loving your honesty Dorothy. I am still digesting yesterday's event and figuring out what I will do with the information presented to us. I am trying to keep an open mind but will need to think about if any of the brands really fit in with what I am trying to do with my blog. It's all very well for brands and PRs to talk about being new to working with bloggers, but I believe there's enough information out there if they WANT to do some homework on how as a collective group we see what does and doesn't work, and for long term mutual benefit, giving low value product in exchange for a piece of writing pitched as a review, in my opinion isn't a great outcome for either party.
Totally love this Kelly. I get you. Thanks for taking what is in my head and sharing it here. N x
Brilliant post, it was so very warm at the bloggers brunch and I found the fashion show a little tedious – but I suspect any fashion show would have me yawning, I'm no fashion blogger that is for sure.
I had to race to get back to school for a 1pm meeting so only had a brief chance to talk to each of the reps. My impressions of the brands were very limited because of that. I plan on communicating with them via email to follow up – just as we bloggers are feeling pressured during the shopping session, so must the brands.
However I did get to see my bloggy friends and that bit I love 🙂
And I will film you both and turn it into a Film Noir Zombie Horror flick. Yay me!
I love your voice, Dorothy! You should ditch blogging and become a radio DJ! Just so lovely to listen to and you make certain sense.
I have no interest in 'working with brands' outside my day job, but I did want to say two things that I've been dying to say for ages but feel comfy saying here with you:
1. Anyone can start a blog and get in on the 'blogger meets brand' collective and go for it, so why shouldn't a reputable company hold an 'audition' for the bloggers they want spreading their word? After all, the blogger becomes a part of their brand, whether they want to admit that or not…
and 2. Um.., I've run out of courage and will not say my number two just yet.
But I will say that I think it's fantastic that events like the Melb bloggers brunch exists. It's great for everyone to learn more about the way the marketing machine works and what button they might want to press on that machine. There is something there for everyone!! That's the wonderful thing about blogging. x
I spoke to everyone – except the nappy one because HUZZAH NO MORE NAPPIES – and I was only pressured by one.
Now I am worried that I have made promises that I don't remember!
Great Vlog Dorothy, I am sorry I missed it, I was in so much pain I couldn't get on the plane! However it is great to see someones views about the day and how it was different to last time. I look forward to seeing everyone's posts on the day.
Agree with you Kel and Naomi, it is nice to have them read out blog and see what they think and go from there.
It was hot, it was noisy and it is too crowded, the venue is a huge pain to me, the exhibitors need more space, it is too hot, it is not easy to get to from the other side of town, and must be one whopping taxi fare for those coming from the airport.
I have mixed reactions from the event. Certainly most of the brands were struggling with how to 'close the bloggy deal' I sensed they wanted something to happen but just were in such unfamiliar territory they just felt uncomfortable. The woman with the spreadsheet! No, sorry, test your own site, don't rely on volunteers to do it for you, and if you do, be wary.
They have the media kits, but not once did they ask for a business card etc, I offered mine a couple of times and we will see how it goes.
However, as Christie has mentioned, this is just an intro, and as they did mainly seem so lost, I would suggest you send through your own proposals to any that you liked and see what they say, the worst they can say is no.
Okay, I swear I commented on Friday night, but I was on my phone so who knows…
Anyway, I basically said I agree with everything you said.
I felt a bit overwhelmed after the event and am a bit unsure as to where to go from her.
And that one brand with the spreadsheet really freaked me out. I had to ask for her to repeat herself after he first full sentence to me was so when will you blog about this…
Excellent reflection! I think that your feeling comes from the purpose and vision of your blog. I sense that you have not created a blog so that you can see what products you can attract, the products are the sideline. Therefore I guess you seem to be cautious about the brands because they are not the true purpose of your blog. Integrity is a beautiful quality in a person.
Great Vlog Dorothy andim loving the discussion in the comments section.
I have to agree after attending the second brunch in july I came away not sure about my thoughts. I have brands contact me all the time but I only ever blog about if it's something I have tested and think is right for my blog. By giving product there is no guarantee it will appear on my blog.
Stay true to yourself
I agree with Amy, it was very overwhelming for me, especially as it was my first event.. some brands were fantastic.. the spreadsheet thing was like WTF….
You are welcome to do what you like to my vlogs, as long as you don't make me look too stupid… 😀
Don't worry about it, Kelley. They probably don't remember either. Except the people with the spreadsheet!
I agree, Norlin. I think the blogger/brand relationship can work really well if it is negotiated to suit both parties. These “grab and run” events tend to bring out the “gatherer” in us women, where we just want to get stuff without really thinking about what we could do with them.
I'd like to see the companies take more interest in what we do, rather than just give us a spiel about their products.
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it. For me, blogging has been a great learning experience, not just about blogging, but about life, myself and marketing. The last, I certainly didn't expect.
I think it would be nice if both parties got a chancer to learn more about each other prior to and at these events. I also believe that, as Kelly said, our blogs are our audition. I don't really feel like performing for these people before any kind of payment is discussed.
Hi Christie!
I have to tell you that a couple of the brands didn't offer any suggestions for how to work with us, it was just “show us what you can do” or “here are our products”.
When I did suggest a giveaway to one company, they said, no, we want to see what you write first.
Also, we already talked about the companies from the last Bloggers Brunch who didn't even respond to emails from bloggers afterwards.
It seems to me as if some just want to turn up, show us their wares and expect free publicity.
As I mentioned to you before, I value my blog, my readers and my time too much to do that.
Even a giveaway, unless it is substantial, doesn't do much for bloggers any more. The time and effort we spend writing about it and promoting it, often isn't worth the tiny increase in traffic we may get, if any.
Still, bloggers will keep attending these events, because they are fun, because we love to catch up with fellow bloggers and because it is a day out.
You're right, Heather, nobody forced us. In fact, I was reflecting on this the other night as I sat here amongst all the shwaag and wondering why, oh why, did I bring all this stuff home?
I wonder whether it's the “gatherer” instinct being activated in us women when we see stuff being given away. We want to take it ALL! A bit like impulse shopping. It's really quite bizarre and I am going to be more wary in the future. However, most brands did just give us their bags without requiring anything, other than saying “We'll be interested to see what you do with it”, which to me was like asking us to prove ourselves.
You know what? I love going to these events for the same reasons you mentioned – the company, the food, the day out – it's fun. I just need to remember not to get caught up in the hype.
I am realising that, as a personal blogger, I value the space on my blog too much to give it away for free, especially to big brands that have big marketing budgets.
Totally agree with you Kelly. I don't particularly want to go out there chasing brands, but will do it for ones I really want to work with. If anyone else wants to buy space on my blog, or my time to give an opinion, because they like what they see on my blog, then I will be more than happy to talk to them…
Hey Dorothy!It is always interesting hearing everybodies perceptions isn't it, I have really enjoyed watching how each one has progressed. It is a great opportunity for us as bloggers to get the contacts from who is each Brunch. I look at it as creating awareness of the possibilities for businesses and bloggers to
work together. And it is a process first its the introduction then its the
“Hey lets see if we like each other”, then lets see if we can work
together. The brunch is the first meeting then its up to the blogger to take it
from there. Like a job interview payment is discussed at the final stage. Like us the businesses there are finding their feet at the Brunch and working out the best plan of action that benefits all parties.
Loving your vlog
Rx