When I blogged about how I trial new skincare products, I received a few comments and questions on how to manage the pressure of churning reviews after reviews, especially when the products were provided by PRs for consideration. They were getting emails from PRs asking them what they thought of the product, if they had a chance to use it yet, if the reviews are up, and so on.
It’s times like this that I long for the good ol’ days when we actually had to buy our own stuff to review. Remember those? 😛
But I know what you mean. It’s no fun to have to deal with pushy PRs and blogging stress. We get enough of those from work. Blogging is supposed to be fun! It’s where we go to to get away from stress, and not to have additional stress.
I’m thankful that being a beauty blogger in Australia, we get a lot of support from brands who like working with bloggers. I’ve been given a lot of opportunities to try out new products that I probably wouldn’t have known about before. With that, sometimes those opportunities, fantastic as they may be, get a bit overwhelming. I just don’t have enough time to try them all out. And now, I have PRs chasing me left, right and centre on my reviews. Argh what is a beauty blogger to do? When did it get so complicated?!
Sound familiar?
It does not have to be so complicated. It can be done.
Here are my top 5 tips on how you can manage your product review load.
1. Be selective of the products that you want to review.
If you have oily/combination skin like me, try not to request for products that are clearly meant for dry skin. Chances are your skin will break out from the rich creams and the reviews won’t be accurate because the product wasn’t meant for your skin in the first place. Be selective of the products you request for review. Every press release you receive is not an invitation for “come and get free samples“. There’s no free lunch. For every request you make, there’s an obligation for you to write about the product.
2. Be realistic of the expectations of blogger events that you attend.
This is a bit tricky if you do not live in Sydney because other states get far fewer events in comparison to Sydney. So it’s very easy and natural to jump on every event that you get (it happens to me too). We have to remember that blogger events on product launches are not places to network with other bloggers. The highlight is and always will be about the brand and the new products.
Another tricky bit is about the event’s goodie bags. Do you blog about the products or are they gifts? Is there an obligation for you to write about the event and/or products? Some PRs say yes, some PRs say no. Also, be selective of the events you go to. For example, I don’t use tanning products and don’t write about them at all, hence it does not make much sense for me to go to an event about tanning products. My spot would be better utilised by another blogger who do enjoy using tanning products and would love to know more about them.
3. Be polite but firm with the PRs who pressure you to review products they sent to you for review.
If possible, inform them of your review policy (e.g. at least 6 weeks is needed to review a particular serum, etc) prior to requesting for product. Either request that they touch base with you after 6 weeks, or you could keep in touch with them after a few weeks regarding the product, if you’ve used them yet, if you have any issues, etc. It’s their job to check in with you, so unless they’re badgering you for your review after a week of sending you the product, do cut them some slack if they did contact you in less than 6 weeks.
Let them know if you haven’t had the chance to try out the product yet. Honesty and good manners are always appreciated. If they are rude and pushy, again be polite but firm and know that you probably wouldn’t want to work with them again. Always mind your Ps and Qs even if they don’t mind theirs.
4. When the amount of products to trial is getting overwhelming, take a step back and say no.
Tell the PRs that you appreciate them sending you products to trial, but there’s a lot on your plate at the moment and that you’d like to step back for a while. Inform them that there’s no need for them to send you anything new, but that they please continue to keep the press releases coming so that you know what’s new in the market. When you’re good and ready to try out new products again, contact the PRs whom you’ve worked with and let them know that you’re back.
5. Buy your own stuff.
Easy peasy. You buy what you like, you review what you like, and there’s no pressure for you to write about them. Many times I don’t receive the same products that other bloggers do, and that’s completely fine. If I like what I see on their reviews, I’ll get it myself.
There you go, some of my tips on how to manage your product review load, especially with the products you receive for review. Be honest with yourself and your readers. Is it something you would really like to try or are you just requesting for it because you can? Is it something your readers would like to know about? Just some points to think about before you make that product request or accept that goodie bag.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. If you’re a blogger, how do you deal with product reviews and pushy PRs? If you’re behind a brand, what’s your opinion on expectations on product reviews? Are goodie bags from blogger events an expectation for reviews or are they gifts? What about expectations on unsolicited (sent without request) products? Do let us know in the comments 🙂
I’m lucky in that (so far) I haven’t had to deal with pushy PR’s. But I do recall talking to another blogger about unsolicited products and what to do with them, and we came to the agreement that unless there was a handwritten note stating there was a reason for the unsolicited prod (eg. thought it was right up my alley, etc) then there’s no obligation to review or even contact said PR regarding this. How hard is it to send an email and say “Hey, thought you’d be interested in xyz”? Seems a bit lazy to me.
Chelsea recently posted..Benefits of Lavender Oil for Your Skin
Chelsea: I usually email the PRs who sent me unsolicited products with a note of thanks and acknowledgement. But yeah, unsolicited products usually bear no obligation to review, at least that’s what I think.
Great post Tine. I haven’t had the balls to approach PR’s yet lol, but I think this is great advice. Your tip on sticking to reviews of products that are suited to you and your skin/taste is great. A good balance and mutual respect seems like the key 🙂
I have been away from reading all my favourite blogs lately, so Im looking forward to a catch-up on all your lastest posts!
Kaye recently posted..DIY Organic Rosehip Oil Waterproof Makeup Remover – 60 Day Ban: Day 2
Kaye: I should have added in the post that it is quite the norm for beauty bloggers in Australia to be in contact with brands and PRs (I noticed that a number of new bloggers do as well), and that it is not unusual to ask for product when PRs send out press releases about new products. As for me, I used to say yes to a lot of them, but as time went on, there was just too much on my plate to handle. There is an obligation to write about the product as it was I who asked for it in the first place. I’ve now toned it waaaay down and am now very selective of what I do ask for.
At the end of the day, I just feel better if I bought the item myself. No pressure at all 🙂
PS: Welcome back! 😀
Hi Tine, I love this post! I may be nice and all that but when it comes to pushy PRs (we have loads of them), I am quite firm in saying, they can move on to other bloggers who have the time to be “rushed”. I find it is difficult to push myself to write a review if I’m not ready yet!
Same as you, I won’t go to events if I know I won’t be using the products, and when I get emails requesting to review products, I tell them right away that it would take me forever! (especially skincare), so if they’re in a hurry, at least they can give me a skip 🙂
Nikki: Good idea Nikki. If they’re in a hurry to read the reviews, ask other bloggers first. Skincare takes so long to review. People often forget that. It’s not right to just use a moisturiser for a week and then bang! One review served. Not fair to the readers, I say.
Teach me how to say no properly, oh master! 😀
Great post Tine, I’m fortunate that I’ve only come across the occasional PR that will hound me for a review. I always make it very clear when I’ve been offered product that I can’t guarantee a fast turn around, particularly for things like skincare or shampoo and conditioner. I work a very hectic schedule and so blogging happens in my spare time. I also tend to only accept reviews for products that I have a great interest in and that I know I’ll enjoy reviewing.
Megan recently posted..Firebird Bath and Body Perfume Oils
Megan: Good on you. It’s good to be selective because then it’s still fun for you to blog about it. When it’s just about anything, the plate becomes too full and that just takes away the fun from blogging.
Plus, other people who would enjoy the products more than I do get to try them out. Win win!
I’m lucky that I’ve only dealt with wonderful PR’s so far! I find it really complimenting when they approach me, and I don’t think I’d have to confidence to actually approach them!
I’ve heard a few stories lately about “bloggers” contacting PR’s and requesting items but never writing reviews, so I guess I can see from the PR’s point of view when they want a review quickly. I guess they have bosses too!
But regardless there is no excuse to be rude!
Otherwise this is a great explanation on how to deal with lots of PR samples, and you’re completely right, there are certain items that can’t be rushed, especially skin care! Your skin needs time to adjust, and after just a week of using it, you may not be able to give the correct results!
Thanks for sharing these hints! 🙂
Jasmine
Jasmine: Oh there are bloggers out there who think that PRs who do product call-outs is a free meal. I believe the BritishBeautyBlogger.com wrote about bloggers who do that too; request for stuff but never blog about them. That’s just awful and gives other legit beauty bloggers a bad name.
I’m very thankful that in my 5 years of beauty blogging, I’ve only encountered one pushy PR. Things are getting better as they learn more about bloggers, and bloggers more about them 🙂
ohyes, sometimes it does get overwhelming and then outting reviews in a series is so not interesting for me even if the readers enjoy them…kinda facing almost same situation right now. and, sometimes, I have seen that the products sent for reviews are not products whihc I would buy so doesn’t make sense to review the products which I won’t even use ever again. that’s something I am thinking of changing in my review policy. the brands don’t ask what I want to review.
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Swati: My point exactly, Swati. If it’s not something you would even use, or something that wouldn’t suit you, why even request for them in the first place? It takes away a spot from another blogger who would like it and the product suit them!
As always, love your Wednesday bloggie posts! ^_^ Very helpful tips!! xx
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My pleasure Tram 🙂
Although I don’t get contacted by any PR folks, I do still think the advice is helpful when reviewing things I’ve bought or borrowed (books, CDs, whatever). It helps me to remember to pace myself as well, since I tend to want to do everything at once, all the time, while working two other jobs. Three book reviews in a month? NO PROBLEM!!! … in my head. Reality: I might get ten pages read before I go to sleep, and a 300pg book becomes awfully long sometimes if it’s dryly written. I love scholarly books about Japanese culture, but sometimes they can become incredibly boring as well.
Keeping *myself* in check could probably help me immensely. 😛
Thurisaz Sala’il recently posted..Coveted Kimono: Taisho Dragons
Thurisaz: My sentiments exactly. We know ourselves, we know how much we do, how much we use. Why add more to the plate when we can’t handle it?
Here’s what I do when I’m approached by PR. I tell them right off the bat that for skincare I have X weeks turnaround time. Mine is quite long because of backlog etc. Also I tell them to be familiar with my review style and then let me know if they are comfortable. This way I find, there’s less misunderstandings. It also allows me to gauge the PR/Brand’s stance and what they are looking for. If they start getting pushy at this point, I back off and choose not to participate with a brief but polite thank you.
Also, if its a product I don’t think I’d get any use out of, I decline too. Its nice to be approached but we have to be realistic ourselves as to whether we feel the product is suitable for us or if we’d use it or if we can deliver.
As for products in event goodie bags, I’d say there’s no obligation per se to review them unless its central to the event/launch. You could just as easily cover the event without reviewing the product. Or you could review without the event coverage. It will depend on personal style and blog focus. I’ve done both depending on how interested I am. If it is sent without request, then I say its up to you. Review it if you feel like it, but if you don’t, there’s no obligation to. After all you never asked for it!
Paris B recently posted..Simple Blogging Tips: 10 Things Beauty Bloggers may never tell you
Paris: Good points, PB. When everything’s written out clearly, in black and white (or coloured emails :P), there’s less room for misunderstandings. If the PRs understand and agree to all those points without being pushy, then you know you’re working with a good one. Chances are, you’ll want to continue to work with them in the future.
Re. events goodie bags, that’s true. I think the brands will want you to either blog/tweet/Instagram/whatever the event or the products. They are already getting their brand out there that way. I don’t think there’s an obligation to have to blog about both the event AND the products (although I think some people might disagree with me on that).
I guess I’m lucky that my blog is predominantly about books and reading – PR doesn’t seem to come into play quite so much, although I still get requests to read books that aren’t in the genres I read! The publisher I work with most is a great match – they seem to have a sense of what I like, which is brilliant. I think the oddest thing I get is requests that seem to have been sent to the entire universe without thinking about whether the blogger fits their market.
If I was to receive beauty products (hint!), I feel I’d need to give my own opinion. If something wasn’t up to my expectations, I’d most likely ask a friend/family member who I thought was more suited to the product to try it and add their opinions.
I don’t think goodie bags means that you must blog about them; however, if there was something you tried and loved, you might want to share it…isn’t that an extra bonus for the company?
Really enjoyed reading your tips. Thanks to Paris B, I’ve found a new blog to read!
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Hi Sam, good to see you here (many thanks to PB!). About the events goodie bags, oh yes. If the product is good, I’ll talk/write/tweet/whatever about it, regardless of whether I’ve blogged about the event of not. I talk too much to keep good things to myself 😛
All of your posts are super helpful Tine but this one really hit the spot. It’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately so it was great to read some tips!
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Thanks Kimberley. Hope they help 🙂
gr8 tips! salute!
i have declined before, for some products that i know im not suitable for or not a fan of, and i never regret it, coz i dont think its fair to receive them and lie about how good it is
but i dont think some bloggers understand it, and called me crazy for not getting free stuffs lol
xoxo elle
Elle: My point exactly. It really begs the question – are you asking for the item because you really want to try it out and it may be something your readers are interested in, or are you just asking for it because you can? By taking the item, there’s not just that obligation to write about it, but it takes away the opportunity from another blogger who may really want to give it a go but cannot because samples were limited. I think you’re being sensible 🙂
The worst kind are those that send you an email starting with ‘Hey there’ or ‘Hi Blogger’. What, I don’t have a name? Am I not worthy enough of you putting effort to find out my name? And then they just list this whole chunk of text about themselves and tell you they want you to review their stuff AND expect you to ‘write two reviews’. Hello, me no word prostitute okie! I don’t need your products to make my life any more awesome than it already is.
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Goodness me YES. Some don’t even address you anymore; they just paste the press release on the email and send. Those are usually the ones I delete straight away unless they’re interesting ones. Two reviews?! That’s demanding. I’m currently dealing with a PR who sent me some items (I only requested for one when they reached out to me; they sent me 2 others as well). I reviewed that item that was agreed upon but now they’re bugging me every few weeks on whether I’ve reviewed the other item or not. I’ve told them before that reviews are not guaranteed (especially when you send me stuff I didn’t request for) but it’s not getting through their heads. UGH.