What Do You Think of This Form of Promotion?

[MoonkistDesigns]

I have had two requests this past week from bloggers who have visited my store and would like me to send them a free item to review for their blog. I have checked the links that they sent, and they both seem to be running active blogs with some followings.

I have never had a request like this before, so I was hoping I could get an opinion from others out there who might have tried this form of promotion. Have you seen any positive results?

Thank you for your time!

[MaxplanationPhotos]

I never send items, I prefer to write my own review and they can post it or not, there are tons of bloggers who do not ask for freebies

[Former_Member]

This is actually pretty common, so it's hard to say whether or not the requests are legitimate, or whether it will be worth the investment. Honestly, I find it a bit tacky to bother people for freebies like that and ignore those sorts of convos. Maybe big companies or brick-and-mortar shops can afford to give out freebies, but I can't.

[ALFAdesigns]

Even if you can afford it, this sounds awfully tasteless on their part. If they sell their opinion for freebies, I don't know how much trust do they get from their followers.
I would not do this.

[Former_Member]

It may be a good way to get some publicity, but I'd first look at who's following them. Ask how they found you, and check their old blogs and see if they've done this in the past. Also, they should pay for shipping if you choose to send an item. It's risky, but could be worthwhile.

[threestonebirds]

I have yet to see a thread about a blogger who requested free items that ended well for the seller. If you're thinking about going through with it, though, do some research: check out their blogs for yourself, ask how much traffic they get per day, per month, see how large their following is and if it's the target market you're after.

From what I've heard, however, a good blogger will not ask for something for free.

[MetalRoosterOrganics]

I've thought extensively about this especially now that I'm starting to really stock up my inventory, and hopefully will launch my blog very very soon. I would offer a deep discount, like sell it to them for wholesale prices, and honestly they can speak about the great customer service that you give and cite that in the review. That is at least how I would do it. I mean this is our hard work and I've heard way too many horror stories of people really getting the shaft through these kinds of deals.

Good luck though! You have some amazing work in your shop!

[Former_Member]

I have done this twice, but not for free, for a discount. My first experience was awesome, and I linked to that post in my shop and a couple of listings. I don't know if anyone has actually ever read it, but it's a solid review which I appreciate as I struggle with photos and think my work is much better in "real life". That transaction was a great experience!

My second blog review for discount was less than stellar - basically the blogger copied exact phrases from the first blog post and didn't add anything original. :( It hadn't even occurred to me that someone would do that! I can't use that blog in my shop, and I haven't promoted it, because I can't support the copying!

The upside is that the blog mentions provide backlinks to your shop that will aid in google searches. I have seen a decent number of google search results in my stats, especially since blog post 2, although I can't say for sure that there is a connection!

Should I do this in the future I'll check out other reviews written by the blogger more carefully, ask if they always provide original content, and ask if they'll promote - my first blogger did an awesome job promoting the post (and me) across lots of social media, and I did see stat action from that for sure! In fact - it led to a sale :)

[ohmyclumsyheart]

I get this A LOT and usually it's a waste of my time.
I ask for the viewing stats and I often get vague answers.
Genuine high-readership blogs will freely give away this information to encourage you to work with them. I was recently approached by a huge blog and we have worked out a partnership, I am exchanging goods in return for promotion. Smaller blogs aren't worth my time since I have never seen a return from this sort of "exchange." I point these bloggers to my mailing list and say if they like my products, feel free to sign-up and receive 10% discount on all your orders.

[heartsabustin]

Scam - most of the time, I report them for Spam and Etsy shuts down their accounts.

[myBeachWishes]

Gena-
Just wanted to say that I love your work!
I wouldn't send out free samples!

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I've only been approached once for my other (now closed) shop. This particular blogger wanted a freebie to review AND a freebie to give away. I asked for blog stats and they were pathetically low - lower than my own blog stats which are also pathetically low. lol I politely declined and told her that her blog wasn't established enough for me to afford to give items away.

[Former_Member]

This is interesting. I just agreed to do a giveaway, although I've not been inclined to do so before. I was approached by a local blogger whose audience is mothers, and in an area where I think people are interested in buying locally, handmade items. It seemed like a good way to reach local people who might not be tuned in to Etsy.

Now I'm wondering if it was such a good idea, reading the posts here, but I think I actually think it's an okay idea, for me. But I do think there are many cases in which it's not a good idea.

[Former_Member]

I don't know about sending items, but I wish I knew how to do a blog myself, haven/t a clue about it or where to start