great post! I agree, you do not need to have tried a product for four weeks in a row to have your say on it. I have always wanted to take snaps in drugstores and post it on the blog as to any new finds I've made but haven't got to doing it. Your post has inspired me so soon I will :)
Hello Excellent post, I recently did a talk for the guardian on the relationship between bloggers and PRs and the other thing I advise is that if you’re offered something that you don’t want/won’t write about/isn’t in your niche, SAY NO. SO many people just accept samples because they think that getting the kick backs are the only thing that its all about that they forget the PR sending the sample has to report back to a client and like you say…doesn’t have an endless supply. Dealing with PR companies as a blogger {especially one who doesn’t know the workings of PR} is complicated, it’s a world full of unwritten rules but engaging some understanding and common sense is definitely the way forward.
Lovely read. thank you for the great post! I hope it will be read by lots and lots.
'It's what you have to say that counts, not whether you have the product in your hand' --> I totally agree, and sometimes (read: often) use the testers from the shop, swatch them on my arm and post it. I don't have a problem doing that, the shop seems to be ok with it but I never know how my readers feel about it. Basically I am scared they think:
- Dear me, how has this come to this, person using testers from the shop to blog about it? Can't she just buy the stuff like everyone else? Is the that broke or tight? or - Good god, how embarrassing it this
I really don't know how people perceive it and if people will think less of your review.
I hope attitudes will change soon. I borrow nail polishes as well to blog about (not even from bloggers, from people from work) and I am not sure what to do about the disclosure then. So far I've disclosed on 4 posts that they belong to friends (gosh holo, avon romance, no.7 polish, urban decay) but didn't say it on 2 barry m posts cos i feel it's a bit embarrassing and that I might just pretend that these are mine. Meh I don't know. xx
Really great post. I often find that the most interesting posts are ones on a particular talking point rather than a product review. I like reading other people's opinions and am far more likely to comment on those types of post. The big plus is that they cost nothing! I don't think that PR samples are an integral part of beauty blogging, and as you have pointed out, there are plenty of ways to get around a lack of them if you have the will and imagination.
Simon's right, Kiehls often give a generously sized sample or two.
It is good to think outside the box, as it's now presumed that beauty blogging (or blogging in most industries) comes with a regular supply of samples.
Fragrance is an easy one to review with a shop sample, but for an objective skincare review, you really need a decent amount of product to talk results.
So, maybe new beauty bloggers should play to their strengths and find their expertise. There are surely products that we've tried throughout life that are worthy of a review. I'm looking back to my teen skincare regimes for my next post...no samples needed.
thank you for this post! I am about to start my very own beauty blog, i'm a makeup artist. Ive been reading your blog for a couple of months now and you've truly been an inspiration!! I love reading your blog and can't wait to start mine, just thinking of names for my blog! I have a list of ideas written down that im going to talk about! I bought the seche vite that you recomended with the mimosa and it worked really well, i think thats what my first post is going to be! im very excited! do you think its a good idea to have my blog and makeup website under one name or should i have my blog completely seperate?! thanks! x
I hate that nowadays blogs/bloggers are judged on their status by the amount of samples they receive. I much prefer posts about products blogger have bought themselves as it shows how much they really want something, rather than featuring it simply because it was free.
The best way to support the beauty industry is by buying your stuff, not waiting around for a free sample to drop on the doormat!
Good post (and I can tell because it's wound me up thinking about the things about blogging that annoy me)!
I have a blog and have never received any samples, yet managed to write over 270 posts so far. :) I do buy a lot of stuff, not for the blog, but because I'm addicted to buying and using make up, so there's always stuff to review, but I also do posts on my own personal collection, looks I've created, upcoming collections I'm interested in, etc., etc. I wouldn't mind receiving samples of course and to some extent I do envy bloggers who do, because there's always so much stuff I want, it gets very expensive, especially since I'm into high end brands like Guerlain, Dior, Chanel, etc. But I didn't start my blog to receive samples and not doing it for any profit at all, just for fun and to share my passion with people who understand (I don't really know any beauty addicts in real life). I think those who only blog to receive samples should think about whether they really should be doing it, because I cannot see how genuine their opinion could be if it's only based on free stuff. But I'm sure the majority of beauty bloggers aren't like that at all. x
I believe it is about quality, not quantity. And the passion and point of view will only come over when you truly appreciate what you are writing about.
I prefer to buy my own stuff (whenever possible) because it shows how much effort you have put in, and the money value is always a huge factor, admit it or not.
Very interesting post showing your thoughts about the blogger issue... take into account that you live in the UK and write in English which means that most brands are aware of your existence and your markets are developed as far as PR, marketing and internet development is concerned.
Bloggers in Spain fight very hard to do our jobs properly and try to survive with only a few brands taking us seriously....
Things will change soon, eventually, and will change for good! And I hoe to be there to see it and enjoy the fact that bloggers would be considered as serious as journalists!
i am also lucky because i get lots of samples out of my day job. but i share many of these with my friends (bloggers and non-bloggers) because i just think they'd go to waste if i don't! it's also a great way to pass products that are not so suitable to you to someone who might benefit more from it.
I don't know how it works in UK, but here in Croatia it really isn't so easy to get some trial sizes or samples.
The only brand I've came across which will give you their samples whether you buy something or not - it's L'Occitane and I really love them because I know they want their customers back and they don't look at you only if you spent xxx $. In other stores like Douglas, Sephora etc. I wasn't so lucky. And even if I did buy anything and then I was interested in trying something, their answer is always the same - sorry, we're out of tester at the moment. Yeah right.
But I agree that you can create an opinion just based on few samples and that you don't need full sized products. :)
About receiving free products as a blogger - I've received a few, but I am picky when it comes to that since I don't want anything what I normally wouldn't buy. That's my policy. :)
I have bought almost everything that I have written about in my blog. I have received very few products from companies, but I like to get samples of things that are very interesting for me, but it is a very good idea only to accept products that I think can be good for me, I am 41 years old so teenage-creams will not be in interest for me. I really like the idéa of product-kits that can be bought (small tubes). I also love the idea of swapping with others, that is very good for both the economy and the environment.
I do think it's important to think beyond samples or constant 'look at this new item' sorts of posts. It's not sustainable for many people. I like niche and expensive items but my budget is restricted, so I can only buy so many new things per month. Comparisons, showing how a product looks applied, favourites, thoughts about a new collection you've looked at in person, these all make interesting posts and don't involve constantly having to buy things. I think novel post ideas are the way to keep momentum as a blogger in general.
This is such a fantastically helpful and informative post for a blogger who isn't on any PR lists, so thank you! (It's also very well written!)
I totally agree with everything you say, and have been focusing a lot more on budget buys when I do makeup posts. Simply as that reflects what I'm buying right now! x
I'm pleased you've reiterated a fact too many people ignore; sampling costs a company money. And its no guarantee of a sale. The practice is too often abused as well, so it's no surprise that companies, especially niche, are much more circumspect about it.
Thanks so much for such an interesting post (inc the comments from others) - it's given me lots of food for thought.
Anyone can post pics of the latest products and say how WOW they are, but there is a huge range of products, appliances, etc which fall under the 'beauty' banner & it's totally up to the individual to share their unique experience of these. These are the kind of posts I find really useful & enjoyable to read.
Needing samples to start blogging seems like a total cart-before-the-horse situation to me.
When our blog began, this was a *total* non-issue. You started a beauty blog *because* you loved makeup, and because you spent a lot of money on it, and so you had a lot of stuff to write about. That was how it worked.
I wrote my own blog on this basis and wrote guest posts for other people too, without ever exchanging a word with a PR or feeling disadvantaged because nobody gave me stuff. Sometimes it was a hassle to find an image of something, but enough googling generally solved that problem.
Now that our blog has picked up, we get PR samples, but that isn't what keeps our blog going. What keeps it going is that we sit down and write posts every week, and that we're still keen enough on beauty to do so.
You don't need PR input to blog. What you do need is to love what you're writing about enough that you always have something to say - off your own bat.
28 comments:
great post! I agree, you do not need to have tried a product for four weeks in a row to have your say on it. I have always wanted to take snaps in drugstores and post it on the blog as to any new finds I've made but haven't got to doing it. Your post has inspired me so soon I will :)
Shifa
x
Hello
Excellent post, I recently did a talk for the guardian on the relationship between bloggers and PRs and the other thing I advise is that if you’re offered something that you don’t want/won’t write about/isn’t in your niche, SAY NO.
SO many people just accept samples because they think that getting the kick backs are the only thing that its all about that they forget the PR sending the sample has to report back to a client and like you say…doesn’t have an endless supply.
Dealing with PR companies as a blogger {especially one who doesn’t know the workings of PR} is complicated, it’s a world full of unwritten rules but engaging some understanding and common sense is definitely the way forward.
Lovely read. thank you for the great post! I hope it will be read by lots and lots.
'It's what you have to say that counts, not whether you have the product in your hand' --> I totally agree, and sometimes (read: often) use the testers from the shop, swatch them on my arm and post it. I don't have a problem doing that, the shop seems to be ok with it but I never know how my readers feel about it. Basically I am scared they think:
- Dear me, how has this come to this, person using testers from the shop to blog about it? Can't she just buy the stuff like everyone else? Is the that broke or tight?
or
- Good god, how embarrassing it this
I really don't know how people perceive it and if people will think less of your review.
I hope attitudes will change soon. I borrow nail polishes as well to blog about (not even from bloggers, from people from work) and I am not sure what to do about the disclosure then. So far I've disclosed on 4 posts that they belong to friends (gosh holo, avon romance, no.7 polish, urban decay) but didn't say it on 2 barry m posts cos i feel it's a bit embarrassing and that I might just pretend that these are mine. Meh I don't know. xx
Great advise.
I hear that at the Kiehl's shop they give free travel samples to try... worth a go!!
I buy stuff. I'm old-fashioned, maybe?
great post, just did a lot of work on the PR/beauty blogger relationship as part of my degree! x
Really great post. I often find that the most interesting posts are ones on a particular talking point rather than a product review. I like reading other people's opinions and am far more likely to comment on those types of post. The big plus is that they cost nothing! I don't think that PR samples are an integral part of beauty blogging, and as you have pointed out, there are plenty of ways to get around a lack of them if you have the will and imagination.
Simon's right, Kiehls often give a generously sized sample or two.
It is good to think outside the box, as it's now presumed that beauty blogging (or blogging in most industries) comes with a regular supply of samples.
Fragrance is an easy one to review with a shop sample, but for an objective skincare review, you really need a decent amount of product to talk results.
So, maybe new beauty bloggers should play to their strengths and find their expertise. There are surely products that we've tried throughout life that are worthy of a review. I'm looking back to my teen skincare regimes for my next post...no samples needed.
thank you for this post! I am about to start my very own beauty blog, i'm a makeup artist. Ive been reading your blog for a couple of months now and you've truly been an inspiration!! I love reading your blog and can't wait to start mine, just thinking of names for my blog! I have a list of ideas written down that im going to talk about! I bought the seche vite that you recomended with the mimosa and it worked really well, i think thats what my first post is going to be! im very excited! do you think its a good idea to have my blog and makeup website under one name or should i have my blog completely seperate?! thanks! x
I hate that nowadays blogs/bloggers are judged on their status by the amount of samples they receive. I much prefer posts about products blogger have bought themselves as it shows how much they really want something, rather than featuring it simply because it was free.
The best way to support the beauty industry is by buying your stuff, not waiting around for a free sample to drop on the doormat!
Good post (and I can tell because it's wound me up thinking about the things about blogging that annoy me)!
Great post.. i think bloggers should only get samples if they can prove they have a very high traffic
Great post! I always take advantage of samples found in magazine's etc.
I have only ever reviewed I think 3 products which I received through a PR.
Most of the products I review I have bought myself, and I've even reviewed products that aren't that popular in the blogging world.
I have a blog and have never received any samples, yet managed to write over 270 posts so far. :) I do buy a lot of stuff, not for the blog, but because I'm addicted to buying and using make up, so there's always stuff to review, but I also do posts on my own personal collection, looks I've created, upcoming collections I'm interested in, etc., etc. I wouldn't mind receiving samples of course and to some extent I do envy bloggers who do, because there's always so much stuff I want, it gets very expensive, especially since I'm into high end brands like Guerlain, Dior, Chanel, etc. But I didn't start my blog to receive samples and not doing it for any profit at all, just for fun and to share my passion with people who understand (I don't really know any beauty addicts in real life). I think those who only blog to receive samples should think about whether they really should be doing it, because I cannot see how genuine their opinion could be if it's only based on free stuff. But I'm sure the majority of beauty bloggers aren't like that at all. x
I believe it is about quality, not quantity. And the passion and point of view will only come over when you truly appreciate what you are writing about.
I prefer to buy my own stuff (whenever possible) because it shows how much effort you have put in, and the money value is always a huge factor, admit it or not.
Great post Jane! x
Very interesting post showing your thoughts about the blogger issue... take into account that you live in the UK and write in English which means that most brands are aware of your existence and your markets are developed as far as PR, marketing and internet development is concerned.
Bloggers in Spain fight very hard to do our jobs properly and try to survive with only a few brands taking us seriously....
Things will change soon, eventually, and will change for good! And I hoe to be there to see it and enjoy the fact that bloggers would be considered as serious as journalists!
i am also lucky because i get lots of samples out of my day job. but i share many of these with my friends (bloggers and non-bloggers) because i just think they'd go to waste if i don't! it's also a great way to pass products that are not so suitable to you to someone who might benefit more from it.
great post! :) love from singapore!
Some of my favourite posts to read are wish lists and everyone can write those ;) I also love monthly favourites.
Yes, it IS expensive, but fortunately it's also my hobby too!
I don't know how it works in UK, but here in Croatia it really isn't so easy to get some trial sizes or samples.
The only brand I've came across which will give you their samples whether you buy something or not - it's L'Occitane and I really love them because I know they want their customers back and they don't look at you only if you spent xxx $. In other stores like Douglas, Sephora etc. I wasn't so lucky. And even if I did buy anything and then I was interested in trying something, their answer is always the same - sorry, we're out of tester at the moment. Yeah right.
But I agree that you can create an opinion just based on few samples and that you don't need full sized products. :)
About receiving free products as a blogger - I've received a few, but I am picky when it comes to that since I don't want anything what I normally wouldn't buy. That's my policy. :)
Informed and realistic advice, great post Jane x
I have bought almost everything that I have written about in my blog. I have received very few products from companies, but I like to get samples of things that are very interesting for me, but it is a very good idea only to accept products that I think can be good for me, I am 41 years old so teenage-creams will not be in interest for me. I really like the idéa of product-kits that can be bought (small tubes). I also love the idea of swapping with others, that is very good for both the economy and the environment.
I do think it's important to think beyond samples or constant 'look at this new item' sorts of posts. It's not sustainable for many people. I like niche and expensive items but my budget is restricted, so I can only buy so many new things per month. Comparisons, showing how a product looks applied, favourites, thoughts about a new collection you've looked at in person, these all make interesting posts and don't involve constantly having to buy things. I think novel post ideas are the way to keep momentum as a blogger in general.
Lots of really interesting points - thanks for adding to the post with your comments. x
This is such a fantastically helpful and informative post for a blogger who isn't on any PR lists, so thank you! (It's also very well written!)
I totally agree with everything you say, and have been focusing a lot more on budget buys when I do makeup posts. Simply as that reflects what I'm buying right now! x
I'm pleased you've reiterated a fact too many people ignore; sampling costs a company money. And its no guarantee of a sale. The practice is too often abused as well, so it's no surprise that companies, especially niche, are much more circumspect about it.
Thanks so much for such an interesting post (inc the comments from others) - it's given me lots of food for thought.
Anyone can post pics of the latest products and say how WOW they are, but there is a huge range of products, appliances, etc which fall under the 'beauty' banner & it's totally up to the individual to share their unique experience of these. These are the kind of posts I find really useful & enjoyable to read.
Nic x
Needing samples to start blogging seems like a total cart-before-the-horse situation to me.
When our blog began, this was a *total* non-issue. You started a beauty blog *because* you loved makeup, and because you spent a lot of money on it, and so you had a lot of stuff to write about. That was how it worked.
I wrote my own blog on this basis and wrote guest posts for other people too, without ever exchanging a word with a PR or feeling disadvantaged because nobody gave me stuff. Sometimes it was a hassle to find an image of something, but enough googling generally solved that problem.
Now that our blog has picked up, we get PR samples, but that isn't what keeps our blog going. What keeps it going is that we sit down and write posts every week, and that we're still keen enough on beauty to do so.
You don't need PR input to blog. What you do need is to love what you're writing about enough that you always have something to say - off your own bat.
One word. Shoplifting.
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