Do you get bloggers asking for free products?

[Former_Member]

It seems like I receive a convo from bloggers at least once every couple weeks asking for free items from my shop, so that they can review it on their blog. They are always very quick to point out how many readers they get, and why it would be such a great idea to send them free stuff.

I usually try to send a nice message back, saying that my shop is small, and my items are hand made, and I can't really afford to give away anything for free. Lately, though, I have just been ignoring the matter. I can see some one sending out hundreds of requests to Etsy sellers, in the hopes that some one will send them something.

I would be happy to sell them something to review, but not for free! It feels like spam to me. Is any one else having this problem?

[Former_Member]

I've had a few requests as well and mostly from blogs that my products wouldn't really fit in to, so that makes me wonder...

I would review very carefully who I give my products to, check the quality of their photos and previous reviews and who reads their blog. It could actually be a big benefit for you, if the blogger is "right" for you. Some bloggers seem to have a huge influence on their readers on what they buy and where they buy it from.

[Former_Member]

I'm so glad to see this post! I just had someone email me for the same purpose, and I wasn't sure what to think. I'll be anxious to see what others post, and if anyone has had success with giving away their products.

[Former_Member]

I have sent products to blogs to be featured twice. I considered the cost to be advertising dollars. But I wouldn't send to just any blog that asked.

The first was to an up and coming tech blog, with a young and growing readership. The author reviewed (and then kept) one of my gadget sweaters and since his readership is one of my target markets, I thought that was wise.

The second was to a beautiful and poetic blog by a well-connected (and regularly published print & internet author) mom blogger who fit my personal demographic better. If she chose to wear my item and mention my shop in her personal and business circles it would benefit me greatly. It was an honor to be in her amazing blog and worth the cost to me.

I definitely received many views from these blogs, and still do occasionally. I can't tell if sales resulted but it is certainly possible. Even if they didn't, my name, photos and items were exposed to more people that if I had not done so.

[Former_Member]

I get those every so often. The items in my shop are for sale. Period.

[SimplyPrintDesign]

I get those about as much as you do. I used to respond with a message like a thanks but no thanks, but now I tend to just ignore them.
I get free exposure from pinterest and other bloggers who feature my items just by the picture I have posted in my shop. I figure if they would like to feature one of my items, they can copy the picture I have at my shop.

[Former_Member]

I have sent one of my items to one blogger, but not because she asked. What she did ask for was if I was interested in donating an item to a contest she was running. I researched her blog, found she has tens of thousands of followers, so agreed. I then let her choose one item from my shop. She not only featured my item in her blog, but then asked for a small picture that she could post on her site as a link to mine. It has brought me a lot of visitors; sales I have no way of knowing.

I've also had some people who have bought some of my items, taken their own pictures and posted them on their blogs.

I see no reason why I should randomly send out my items to people to "review". It always seems to me a way for them to get freebies.

[autumnandindigo]

So glad to see this post! I've had more messages lately in this regard, and it's definitely quite a bit frustrating. I agree with kindly replying and explaining why you can't just send items out for free. If the blog seems legit, well rounded, and a place where you can definitely see a traffic increase, I would try offering a coupon or discount in trade for the review.

[wildwomanbeads]

I've had numerous requests like this, fell for the first one, and have ignored the rest. I've discovered bloggers send them out like spam. And the response I've gotten is negligible. It's too bad because the idea is great---women helping women build their businesses---but something's gone off course, and now it's just a way for many of them to get free products, which few of us can afford to give.

What I HAVE done in place of this that's worked much better is to find a blogger whose site I really like ("Life to Her Years" on FB is done by a dad about fathering daughters) and offered a child's necklace as a giveaway in one of his contests. Someone else on Etsy offered a little girl's dress. He was great about citing my site, and I got 40+ new likes out of it on FB, plus some good shop views.

So I stick with people I know, who have a real FB presence, and a large following. I build a relationship with them (for example, I'll do another giveaway for Michael at some point) and feature them on my page, as well. It's reciprocal, and it works well.

If you're going to do a giveaway (and this is sometimes a great strategy), make sure it's to someone with integrity.

[Former_Member]

I get it too (for sponsorships), also from people who don't really fit into what I am about. I respectfully decline if I don't feel it is conducive. If it will be good advertising for me, I will be on board. That is how I entered into bridal in the first place. A local photographer asked if I would be willing to donate pieces for a bridal shoot. She wanted something specific made and couldn't find anyone who could do it. I thought about it, and decided it would be a good opportunity for me.

One thing I do, that I hope doesn't offend anyone, is if I am arranging a BIG giveaway, I will convo or email some of my fave vendors asking if they would be willing to contribute an item to the giveaway. It is not for me, it is for a special bride. In return, I add the vendor to me Preferred Vendors list and will also showcase them on my site. I feel it is only fair that if a vendor is willing to give something, they should get something in return.

[Former_Member]

Recently we had the same , A ballerina blogger, once i replied that we would need to not only follow the same blog as the followers to get a feel and look at the folloing they have she wanted 2 high end products ( our sugar shea exfoliating shower whip and our coconut island foaming sugar scrub, once i replied that weonce gave a blogger products that were never reviewed she replied like this now we are in april now she says

"Would sometime in July work for the giveaway? I'm so sorry it's ridiculously far away! So many shops have signed up for each giveaway and I want your shop to get as much recognition as possible:) "

we will not be sending her any products. as her prior response was thiswhen we asked her plan behind her giveaway and blog giveaway...

"My plan for the giveaway is to post a picture of your body products and have my followers share the picture so many more people can see it. Plus I'd link your etsy:) That will lead to us gaining popularity. I'd be the host for the giveaway and other shops would be giving away their products too. The giveaway would last 12 days and on the 13, the winner would be announced.
Could you giveaway these?" with photos of 2 high end products ... our best selling products they each cost 12.+ shipping if not over 40+

what do some of you feel about this ??? if this was your business ( we do very well on our web page www.bathandbodyco.com, we on etsy for more traffic and aslo do great.. what if anything would you do in our situation. dance is not our category specific business plan, bath, body and spa is , so why would she need bath products for her giveaway why wouldnt she give away something like a body suit or damce clothing, shoes and so on... any suffestions would be greatly appreciated . and what is it that you do to branch out on branding and marketing using bloggers and so fourth?
Thank you kindly for your time, attention and insite into our little situation , your time is greatly appreciated .

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I've had lots and lots of those.
And worse ones. Claiming the products were for charities (I've actually fallen for those twice before I realized that at least 9 out of 10 are fake).
I always comment in a friendly tone that they are welcome to buy from my shop just like anybody else.

[Former_Member]

An interesting thread, i get quiet a few requests, however one stood out.

it came frrom someone who was writing an article about start ups, they apparently have lots of exclusives from 'start up all the way to mick jagger from the rolling stones'!

The only problem was she gave me a day to email her for specifics and the article itself!
I have children as well as orders and queries so to writeup an article fit for publication in less then 24 hours was just not feasible.

she messaged again but i just couldnt possibly do it even if i had wanted to. Just found it really strange

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I've got a couple of those too.
All the way from Japan and such.
I'm in Belgium, Europe. They gave me 1 or 2 days.
They sounded more legitimate (including how they would return the item, of course you never know), but the time frame was impossible.

[KatarzynaKmiecikART]

Some time ago I've got a message here on etsy from someone claiming to be from the LUMOS charity organisation. She wanted free Harry Potter related artprints to give away.
I couldn't afford to give away anything for free at that time and felt bad about it.

Right now (after reading your posts) I am wondering if that wasn't a fraud. Writing to me on Etsy doesn't seem very official when she could send me an email and legitimate herself somehow...

Here's that message:
"Hi! My name is Michaella & I'm the founder of AlwaysJKRowling.com. I'm working with 15 other Harry Potter fan sites to help spread the light of the work J.K. Rowling's charity, Lumos is doing. Lumos strides to end the institutionalization of children across the world and aims to put them back into family-base care. (For more on Lumos, visit WeAreLumos.org). With our holiday charity project, "Spread the Light" we hope to spread the word & some light on this issue but we need help. We are in need of prizes to give as incentives to donate. If you can help us (even in the smallest way), we would truly appreciate it."


What do you think?

[WilliamsGiftshop]

I've had ones that included all kinds of 'paperwork', including a letter for my tax deduction and everything, yet they were fake!
One charity event (supposedly 3000 people attending) for which I was going to donate several free products for a silent auction did not even exist.

[SageNThymeDesigns]

I used to get a lot of these 'asks' when I first opened my shop. I think bloggers do actually check to see how many sales you have, now that I'm well past 4000, I get fewer of the "free advertising' asks. I used to say yes, but it's not ever turned into anything helpful for my business, so now I say NO THANKS!

I still get a number of 'help my charity' asks and that often makes me crazy. One lady asked for $80 of free costumes for her school and refused to purchase one at half price. I'll give to MY kids school, but really!?! I looked at her profile and she had favorited 900+ costume shops on Etsy in the last 3 days! I did share with her that Etsy policy is that convo's are for communication between buyers and sellers, and not for her intended purpose. I then reported the conversation to Etsy. No clue if that did anything.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Good for you for reporting them!

[fishcouple]

I had someone asked and I rejected when I first started the shop. However, I did have a couple nice experience with bloggers.

One was a writer from an on-line magazine. She was trying to write an article about replacing candies with pinwheels for Easter favors. She asked me if I could shoot a picture of my rainbow pinwheels with a toddler playing with it. I promised her but it was winter time and somehow I just didn't fulfill her request. However, I think she did write about it somehow because I saw some traffic from her website quite for sometime.

The other one happened during Valentine's season this year. One blogger mom (who runs a very creative on-line biz and her readers are actually my target market too) stated that she loved my work and would include my item picture in her website. She asked if she can get discounts for the Valentine cards that she was ordering for her kids. She offered me a price and the deal was done. She was very reasonable and nice. We also talked about future collaboration but haven't done it yet.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Fishcouple, that sounds okay. They did not try to scam you out of free products.

I've actually donated quite a few items to charities (and will do so more, now that I am closing my shop).

But only those charities that I feel I want to support and that I have personal contact with and am 100% sure they are for real.

[fishcouple]

Hi BeaG,

I am sorry to hear that you will be closing your shop. You've been here about 10 years and long enough to give us some valuable advice and insights. I've been enjoying to read your comments...

Good luck to all!

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Thanks, Fishcouple!
I won't be leaving Etsy altogether. I will keep my account and just empty my shop. I will still be a part of the community and participate in teams.

[MariasWorkshop]

Oh BeaG, I am sorry to learn that you will be closing your shop, as well. I always enjoy, and learn from, your comments. I am glad you are still planning to participate in teams. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Aw, thank you, Maria!

[fishcouple]

That's nice to hear! :)