Harshleen asked:
I want to know if it’s helpful to contact the PR people of your favourite brands letting them know about your blog and asking to be included in their mailing list?
When I first started beauty blogging a few years ago, I was fortunate to have PRs contact me. I did not reach out to any PR folk until about a few months ago. That was actually a stupid move on my part. At a not-so-recent luncheon with the people from Estee Lauder, the PRs had no idea who I was even though they’ve been sending me press release emails for almost a year because I wasn’t proactive enough to write them and introduce myself properly. Not that I’m such big shot that they should know who I am, but I was embarrassed because they were kind enough to invite someone they didn’t even know.
So yes, I believe it’s helpful to introduce yourself to your favourite brand’s PRs. I emailed PRs of brands that I’m passionate about, just to say hi, introduce myself, letting them know what my blog’s about, and if they could add me to their mailing list for future press releases. I also enclosed my media kit at the end of the emails. All of the PRs who responded to my emails were very glad that I touched based with them.
Most important point to note is not to expect that you will be placed onto their call-out list (where they send you products). At the end of the day, it’s vital to establish a good working relationship with them for any potential future campaigns, and not to expect freebies. I mention this because there are, sadly, a number of beauty blogs set up mainly to get “free stuff”, and that’s not how it works.
Having said that, I’m sure they’d love to hear from you!
Nadia asked:
I seem to have a lot of silent readers. How do I encourage more comments?
I don’t get a lot of comments either (love you people who do comment!), so I’m not sure if I’m going to be of much help. However, I do find that certain things work:
- Comment on other blogs. Needless to say, blogging is a community thing, and when you comment on other blogs, chances are some will reciprocate. That’s why I recommend bloggers to use the CommentLuv plugin, if they’re on WordPress. I’ve discovered so many new blogs through that plugin on the blogs that I comment on.
- Be active on social media. I find that Twitter and Facebook have helped bring readers to my blog. I’m always amazed that there are people actually interested in my mundane ramblings.
- Set aside a day or two and blog about something else other than beauty reviews. Looking at my web stats, I find that I get more readers and comments during Bloggie Wednesdays, or when I’m blogging about hauls, makeup collections, clothes, and personal issues. Product reviews on a daily basis can be a bit dry. Personally, I find writing product reviews 3-4 days in a row boring 😛 Spice it up with some insights to your life.
Bun Bun Makeup Tips asked:
Could you share how you managed to consolidate the entries (for giveaways)? Is there a software?
I use the WordPress plugin “And The Winner Is“. I think it’s easier than using random generators like Random.org. Once the plugin is installed, just mark your giveaway post (it will be in the “Add New Post” page). When it’s time to draw the winner, go to its settings and press the button. It will show you the winning comment, along with the reader’s email address and link (if available).
Thanks for your questions ladies, and I hope I’ve helped you in some way. If you have any tips and tricks to add to the above, please share with us in the comments.
As always, if you have any questions about blogging, feel free to send them my way! 🙂
Would you consider doing a future post on your media kit? E.g. what kind of info you include and why.
I have a profile right now on my blog, but I’m sure it’s not enough to make up a media kit by itself. 😛
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politely butting in 🙂 Try this : http://www.beautyholicsanonymous.com/2011/06/a-beauty-bloggers-media-kit/
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Ah! Thanks so much PB! 😀
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Rinnah and PB: Haha thanks Peebs! 🙂
Blogging for freebies. Ah they give us all a bad name 🙁 But its a good idea to contact PR once you have an established blog i.e. been blogging for more than 6 months regularly. Not when you’ve just started and have 3 posts.
I too agree with you about a whole slew of product reviews being dry material. I personally get a little bored too reading and writing them. The downside is you build up a huge backlog if you don’t run reviews often. The upside is, you may be happier blogging about a variety of subject matter 😀 Mixing it up is always a good thing and it keeps the blog fresh.
Paris B recently posted..Ni Hao Shanghai… Again! With A Beauty Trip Around The Shanghai Museum
Paris B: Oh don’t they all? Word spreads like wildfire among the blogging community and PR world. If you’re known as a “blogging for freebies” blogger, you’re blacklisted.
Things are different here, I guess. You could be blogging for a month and you’d be getting stuff from PRs, invitations to cool events, etc. *shrug* At the end of the day, you really have to know why you’re doing this in the first place. It won’t take long before word spreads about these people.
Re. product reviews, oh how I know what you mean. I have a massive backlog of stuff to TRY, much less review. I only have that much skin on me! That’s where LeGeeque comes in to help volunteer her skin 😛
Definitely agree on blogging about a variety of subjects. More interesting to read for readers, more fun for you to write as the blogger 🙂
I like how you mentioned about the reaching out to PRs without much expectations. Got to admit that there are some bloggers lately tend to reach out to PRs just for the sake of freebies and more ‘unethical’ doings.
I hardly approach PRs, the shy me just makes me stand out less >.< but I'm thankful for those who did approached me and recommended me to them. Totally agree on building positive relationship with them and I would definitely need your advise on producing own media kit. Never came across my mind to produce for my own. Help me please? TQ in advance!!! 😀
Traclyn: I’ve been hearing and reading a lot of bloggers having issues with unethical PRs in Asia. It’s really disappointing to know that because this gives other good ones a bad name. I’m just hoping that bloggers will not be sucked into “getting free product” for , as an example, ghostwriting negative reviews for rival companies (something Sesame of Vivawoman.net got contacted to do). No amount of free products is worth a person’s integrity.
I’m very glad that you’ve had good relationships with PRs thus far. If you need help with writing your media kit, I’ve blogged about it here: http://www.beautyholicsanonymous.com/2011/06/a-beauty-bloggers-media-kit/. Email me if you need more info or an example 🙂
Thank you so much Tine!! I really appreciate your quick response… so glad to have discovered your blog. 🙂 m
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Harshleen: My pleasure Harshleen. Hope I’ve helped. Just holler if you have any more questions 🙂
Yeah… see.. when I first started blogging, there was none of this freebies business. I only learnt PR companies gave some bloggers items like.. last year. >_> 7 years into my blogging hobby!
But tbh, it doesn’t bother me. They do what they want, I do what I want. I don’t really care whether or not I get freebies, so I don’t think their behaviour affects me. There will always be somebody giving somebody a bad name, so cannot be bothered thinking too much about it!
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Celeste: Same here. I started beauty blogging in Malaysia, and the only items I’ve received back then was a couple of body lotion samples from the US. I was completely over the moon that someone outside of Malaysia read my blog! 😛
Would you believe Tine that I never contacted any PR agencies because “blogging for freebies” I know i should just be confident about it so your post is a good wake up call!
Nikki: It really depends on what the industry is like in Philippines. I’m afraid I don’t know how it works there, or if PRs would work with bloggers. Unfortunately, bloggers are still the bottom rung of the ladder in comparison to print media.
See, you don’t even need additional help from PRs (that’s what I call it), and you’re doing such an amazing job as it is. That’s how it should be 🙂
I’ve never reached out to PRs as I think my don’t have enough readers to do so. Also, I don’t want to be branded as one who blogs for freebies as I do enjoy blogging (and buying beauty products) hehe! =p
Sukie: I’m not going to lie; the products sent for review do help me tremendously in my blogging. I cannot (and will not) keep buying hundreds of dollars worth of beauty products every month so that I have something to write about.
That’s what I find new beauty bloggers are facing. The pressure of having to buy certain things so that they can blog about it. It hurts me to hear it. You’re blogging about the brands you love, which is free advertisement for the brand. I just think that the brand should also love you back for the exposure they receive from you.
honestly, i am not sure if reaching out to PR in msia is a good thing to do. LOL with so many cases that we know or heard of, i sometimes feel ashamed that i am a blogger too
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Xin: I should have prefixed the article with Australian PR practices 😛 I’m afraid I don’t know how it’s like in Malaysia. Should ask Beetrice, she’s in the industry 😛
Shoddy bloggers give good bloggers a bad name. Shoddy PRs give good ones a bad name too. I don’t think you should ever be ashamed of being a blogger. You put hard work into what you write, you should be proud of it! 🙂
I still cannot get myself to approach PR. I think the only one time I approached a company directly was when I wanted to start my shop feature and it was for an interview. I feel that PR companies do not accord us bloggers the same standard/treatment as main media and so I would not reach out to them. Plus, I think we should be more selective about the brands we work with. I’ve seen some good bloggers endorse really lousy brands and that brings down the quality of their products over time. Do not be afraid to reject.
And besides the call that bloggers shouldn’t set up their blogs for freebies, I think bloggers should also write like they own their blog and not serve as a mouthpiece for brands/companies.
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Sesame: After that ghostwriting business, I can see why you wouldn’t approach one. I was shocked to even hear of such unethical practices.
Unfortunately, bloggers are still on the bottom rung of the ladder compared to print media. I’m glad to know that there are a few brands in Australia which are reaching out specifically to bloggers because of the influence they have on consumers. Brands are slowly recognising bloggers as a powerful influence. A lot are still fairly old school though.
Agree with you on the part about being more selective with the brands we work with. Best to work with what’s in line with the objectives of your blog. E.g. if you write about budget makeup and skincare, don’t think blogging about Estee Lauder would help your readers 😛
WOW! There are so many comments on this blog lol
But yeah, great points raised in this post. I must get on with my media kit – I finally have 1 months worth of stats from Google Analytics.
And so true, about daily reviews being dry – gotta mix it up. It’s more fun for the reader and for the blogger in my opinion 😛
Oh yeah, don’t really understand why some beauty blogs are just out for freebies. Annoys me haha.
Anywaaaaay, I have a question – as I ALWAYS do…
– How can you test out changes to your blog design/layout without doing it to your real blog? (this is triggered by the day I made my entire blog BLACK lol – it was also my highest traffic day though – I think people were probably confused lololololol)
Thank you xxx
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Ling: It’s definitely more fun for you to write. Personally, I find daily reviews boring. I want to know more about the blogger. What fun things she saw over the weekend, books she’s reading (perhaps I like the same books too), that sort of thing. Mix it up with reviews. I noticed that in very popular and successful beauty blogs. They’re never just about the reviews.
Thanks for the question! I’ll answer that in my next Bloggie Wednesdays! 😀
Fabulous advice as always Tine – you are such a good source of knowledge and always so generous to share and teach us underlings 😀
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Lilpil: Haha, glad you liked it Amy. Sharing is caring, no? 😛
Sweets, you’re doing well in your blog, and am an underling no more 😉
Great advice on blogging and very generous of you to share these insights with us all. cheers Jill
Jill: My pleasure Jill. Hope it helps 🙂
Great post! I only started approaching PRs a few months ago. I was quite nervous at first but usually they’re glad I contacted them an I have developed some good relationships with them. I think as long as you just politely introduce yourself and your blog and don’t start demanding for free products or invite to events, then it is ok to contact PRs.
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Gio: I agree Gio. Polite and respectful, that’s the way to do it. At the end of the day, it’s a business relationship, and you would treat them as you do at work 🙂
Great post! I haven’t approached any PR’s yet, I think I’m not yet established enough yet and I would like to refine my photography and writing skills more before I start trying to promote myself that way.
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Megan: That’s always a good start, Megan, and I’m so pleased you’re going along that road first. It won’t be long before you start getting inundated by PR emails! 🙂
I used to get tons of comments on my blog, but now things have become pretty quiet:( I’m not sure if I’ve just become really boring, or that there are way more blogs now than there were when I started my blog 4 years ago. I am so behind the times, and just started a Twitter account last week!
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Jeni: I know what you mean. I reckon it’s just that the blogosphere is now saturated with so many beauty blogs that we follow a lot more blogs these days, thus not giving us enough time to actually comment in each one 🙁
A Twitter account sounds good. Social media helps a lot. Even if it doesn’t bring you as many comments as you might like, the immediate interaction with other bloggers bring them to your site, which is what you want 🙂
Good luck!
Thank you so much Tine for your generous insight! You know what, I always look forwards your Bloggie Wednesday! It is so informative esp to new bloggers like me. I slot opened up at ABBW so I shall meet you soon. ^^ Yay!
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