Makers of The Original Blissful Booty line of products!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Review Item Etiquette- Is there such a thing?

As most of you know, I LOVE doing giveaways and sending my products to be reviewed by lots of different bloggers, large and small. If you look over at the giveaways tab I have 7 giveaways going on right now!!  I try my best to send my products to blogs that I think will give a fair and thorough review of my products and take the time to give their honest opinion, not just someone who is out for free stuff and who will copy and paste stuff from my website and then do a giveaway. When I send things out for review, I never send just a diaper, or just a box of wipes. I usually send a whole selection of products so that I can get different viewpoints on a variety of my stuff from lots of different people.
I understand the relationship between myself and the blogger is for me to try to promote my products and get more people to try and hopefully love them. :) For the blogger I know that it is to promote their blog, twitter, etc..
It is not easy for me to be able to afford to send out so much free stuff since I am still such a small company trying to make ends meet and get my brand out there. However, I know that it is a necessary part of trying to do business so I send to as many as I possibly can to try to get the word out about Blissful Booty. I have been doing giveaways and reviews on Facebook and Blogs since January of this year and along the way I have found a few things that really bug me and wanted to get some feedback from some regular Mamas as well as those who may do reviews and giveaways yourselves. 
The first thing I have come across is that I have noticed some reviewers selling some of the items I have sent free for review. It just seems wrong to me to try to sell something that you got for free when it could be donated or given to someone else to use, you know like kind of "paying it forward" if you will. I have no problem with reviewers doing a giveaway of some of the "extras" that I have sent along, as I know many have emailed me and asked if I minded if they do this, and I don't. It is the fact that someone is making a profit off of something that I sent them for free. Maybe I am too sensitive, I don't know. I know that not everyone will love my products, of course. But if you don't want/need/like the item, I think that passing it along to someone else is a better thing to do than trying to sell it.  The next thing that bugs me is when bloggers only list as an entry to "like" my facebook page. Then for the mandatory or extra entries they have a TON of different things you can do all of which benefit their blog, and nothing to benefit me or my company. Um, hello? I don't sell items on Facebook, the only way I make sales is for them to actually go to my online store. I know that the blogger is putting time in to test and post the review, but I am putting out money for product and shipping and then again for the giveaway product and shipping all in hopes of making some sales of my products, so I think the entries should be of equal benefit to the blogger and myself.  I am very new to blogging, and fairly new to the review/giveaway scene so I am just putting my opinions out there and wanted to get some feedback from all of you on your thoughts. Thanks for listening to my mini rant. :)
~Cathy

24 comments:

  1. I haven't won any of your products yet but I am very thankful that you are offering your things for giveaways so people like me can win them. I agree that it seems wrong to sale something that was free. I hope your experiences get better!!

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  2. I am just saddened by the fact that someone would actually go off and sell the product you sold them. They did get it for free and there many mommys out there that need and would be honored just to test out your product. You are such an awesome lady with awesome products. I hope that others will think before doing something like this again.

    Blissfully yours!
    Rebecca

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  3. I totally agree with you. Most people don't think about it though.

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  4. I agree, Cathy.. There are blogs where I don't learn a lot about where or how the products are sold, but I don't find it annoying when I'm directed to, say, tell a new fact that I learned from their web page, or state what other product I am interested from their web site. I've become a customer outside of the giveaway twice because of giveaway entry requirements like that.. Maybe it will just require a little more clarification on your part to the blogger.. And no, it is unethical to sell your products after the review, I agree..

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  5. Aw, that really stinks that some bloggers are behaving so poorly. You are absolutely valid in your "rant". You are very generous and it is totally unacceptable that some individuals are taking advantage of you :(. Karma will kick 'em in the arse...believe you me!

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  6. I agree 1000000000% and could not have said it better!

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  7. I truly agree with your mini-rant. There are some bloggers who feel *entitled* to free items and don't think of the companies they receive those items from. I have stopped following several blogs because of this.

    There is a quid pro quo relationship between bloggers and companies - companies send the products out for free and bloggers promote it. The bloggers get free products, maybe a giveaway package, and more traffic to their blog while companies get more attention and future customers. But if a blogger isn't promoting the company, it simply isn't worth it.

    I commend any blogger who is able to actually keep up with everything necessary to run a successful blog. I know that as much as I would love to, I couldn't find the time to do so. But I would never start and then shortchange a company who has been so generous with me!

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  8. I absolutley agree. I think it any product received free should be paid forward as well. As a blogger who does reviews and the owner of a small business, I appreciate the expense and work that goes into products sent to me to review. I want every review to be personal, to include multiple links, and to benefit the company. I also want it to include details to benefit my readers. I am always disappointed to read quick reviews by bloggers whode receive product, write 2 fast paragraphs, then throw in a photo and call it good.

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  9. you know I support you on this 200%! I was angry and outraged for you when I heard someone was selling items you gave them to review. That is so unprofessional on so many levels.
    I agree with Mindy, I take the time and try to write thoughtful and in depth reviews of the products I am given. I have issues with most blogs that are strictly just review/giveaway blogs and post nothing else. Especialy when the posts all start to sound the same and they have the same gushing praise for similar products and never a bad thing to say about anything.
    I don't like to give bad reviews so therefore I am picky about what I review and only review things I already love and trust.

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  10. I think everything you said is completely true! And I can't believe someone turned around and sold you item that they got for free that's crazy! That is most definetly a big faux pas to me! I'm just trying to get started on the review and giveaway scene I think that you sending a written code of conduct with your item for review could be good.

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  11. I feel the same way, I'm also a fledgling company and giving stuff away constantly is part of it but there's such thing as taking advantage. I also dislike when the people who take part in the giveaway "like" my page and then immediately after unlike me. very disheartening!

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  12. I'd suggest setting guidelines for any blog doing a giveaway that specifies the entry options you require, such as visiting your website and choosing a favorite item/color/scent. Make it clear to them from the beginning what you need them to do for YOU.

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  13. I completely agree with you and sometimes not sure about supporting bloggers since many just seem greedy. I hate reading them say they love the diaper, and buy it. I want more details! Yes I follow blogs to win but also to be introduced to new products. I want an honest, detailed review. I really annoyed when I see them "destash" all there free diapers and products. I have even called a few out and suggested them donating since they have "more diapers then they can ever use". I have been lucky enough to win 2 of your diapers and really appreciate you letting us try your diapers for free. When I win a product I won't use I regift it, if its fluff, i'll trade it. (This has only happened once) Its just seems like the right thing to do.

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  14. http://nurturingthenaturalmama.blogspot.com/2011/06/blissful-booty-cloth-diapers-giveaway.html

    As a blogger who is also new to the blogging/review/giveaway scene, I personally find direction to be super helpful. While I try to really think about what would benefit the company I'm doing the review/giveaway for- I also like and appreciate it when they give me some guidance for their reviews- so I agree that sending an email when you agree to do a review/giveaway stating that you would like them to have to refer to your website etc would be a great way to ensure you get what YOU need out of the reviews as well.

    I hope you think mine turned out ok :) <3

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  15. I agree. I think it is terribly unethical to sell items they were given to review. I actually won a diaper from you and ended up with TWO diapers. I decided to give that extra diaper to another retailer who allowed me to do a review/giveaway a few weeks before so she could test it out. I felt bad b/c she allowed me to to a giveaway of one diaper and gave me another diaper just to try. She tried one of yours and is now one of your retailers. :o) Not trying to make myself look good, but I just wanted to illustrate how I would feel TERRIBLE selling things I got for free! It's an HONOR to be selected to do a review for someone, especially someone who sells fluff!

    I regret I haven't been the best blogger when it comes to my reviews. I have my ups and downs. I try to do a really really good review and promote on facebook and twitter, but like one poster said, it really is a lot of hard work. Even with that, it is my opinion that most giveaway entries need to benefit the sponsor. After all, that's why we're doing this! We're marketing the product and offering advertisement in exchange for a product. At least, that's why I was doing it.

    I am so sorry that happened to you. You are so generous to sponsor so many giveaways. AND to share your infant sleep advice with people like little ole me! I don't know if you remember me at all, but things have gotten SO much better! Thank you for noticing me that day.

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  16. Mama Dibs totally agrees with you!

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  17. I'm new to the blogging/giveaway thing too, but I just think it's downright RUDE to sell something that somebody gave you for free to review! (As my GG would say-and I don't want to offend anybody-but she would say that they weren't raised properly!)

    And I also think you should get equal coverage...it's just fair :)

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  18. You are 100% right! It is WRONG of someone to sell an item that they received from you for free to review!! They definitely need to Pay it Forward...hugs & keep your chin up mama, you are doing an AMAZING job! <3 Niki

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  19. Wow. How can they say they are going to review something then turn around and not use it and sell it? I would ask for it back, or the cost of it back...
    By the way, I am a reviewer of your products (review/giveaway will be posted next week http://crawlmomma.com) and I am in an auction for a poor preemie baby to win one of your items, and my hubby and I are in love with your wipes solution!
    <3

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  20. I can't believe people sell an item the received to review. I am a newer blogger and am trying to grow each day. I have agreed to do different reviews - some I have received for free some I have paid for. But never would I sell them. I agree it's a big deal for the person asking me to review to be able to promote as well and I like working with the company not as my 'own'. The issue I have ran into now - what do you do if you truly don't like a product? I've been holding off of a review as I didn't like the product at all. I tried contacting the company three times and I haven't heard anything back. I agree with your mini-rant don't feel bad at all.

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  21. Thanks for all of the advice Mama's! I am certainly going to be more clear on what I would like to happen for the giveaways from now on. I am also going to be more selective on who I choose to review and do giveaways for my products. @kristi of course I remember you, I always feel for Mama's going through things that I have gone through in the past. :) I am glad the sleeping issues are getting better! And thanks for referring our products to Piddly Winks! @lilmissie Maybe some of the other mamas can comment on what to do when you don't like a product? I always like the reviewer to contact me first if there is an issue to see if there is some advice I can give to rectify. But I think the readers really do want to hear your honest opinion and constructive criticism is good for companies to know what they may need to tweak. I am shocked that the company hasn't responded!

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  22. what a bummer. I haven't ever really gotten anything to review but have done a tester thing before, and provided feedback. It really wouldn't occur to me to sell something I got for free, I'd rather pass that sort of thing on or use it myself. oh and whoever is doing that has NO couth at all.

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  23. I agree! it's sad there are always people out there who are just trying to make a profit and are so unappreciative of everything, there are so many people who would benefit from the simple kindness of others. Don't let the bad apples get you down your rant is totally justified :) Just keep being the kind person you are, what goes around comes around! GOD bless you and your family
    <3 felisha

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  24. as someone that has won a package from you (and you have to be the most generous person I have come across!)I would never consider selling the items you sent. I am lucky, I can gift them to my sister, who just had twins and is cloth diapering =) once the babes get big enough to fit in the diapers I have of yours. I did share the BB wipe solution with her already. LOL

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