Rolemommy

PR 365...Bad Practices

Now that it's a new year, I think it's time to start the next decade on the right financial foot. And what that means is arming bloggers with the tools they'll need to protect themselves against companies that are intent on taking advantage of this constantly expanding and evolving community.

Here are five potential inquiries you should be very careful pursuing - unless you know and trust the person who has reached out to you.

1. Looking to Explore a Marketing Partnership with Your Blog - this is marketing speak for, I'd love to be able to utilize your database and reach thousands of people I probably couldn't be able to reach on my own and not pay you anything for it. Before you agree to offering up your site as a way to partner with a larger brand or company, make sure you respond back promptly with a rate card and/or media kit. Make sure they know you mean business and they will take you seriously. If they back down and don't pursue the marketing partnership by not backing up the arrangement with money, then you are better off not wasting your time.

2. We would love for you to write original content for our corporate site - Another red flag - it's wonderful when a company reaches out to you and asks to contribute content but you should be paid for the post. A brand has a budget to cover copywriting for their website - if they tell you they do not have budget to compensate bloggers, then walk away.

3. We would like to invite you to participate in an exclusive social media opportunity with our company Okay - major red flag here. If you have spent more than one hour devoting your time to a project with a "partner" who does not value your time or financial worth, you only have yourself to blame. And trust me when I tell you, I've fallen for this scheme myself. In 2010, I am resolving that it's time to avoid companies that purposely attempt to take advantage of bloggers by not compensating them for their time and efforts on behalf of their brand.

4. We've secured a media appearance for to discuss our product on air - Here's another interesting scenario. You're contacted by a company that you've reviewed positively on your site about potentially appearing on air touting their product or service. You are officially in "brand spokesperson" territory. If you have never made a television appearance, then you might consider getting the experience and doing the appearance for free the first time, but once you've figured out the ropes, you should charge a day rate for your services.

5. We would like you to participate in a panel discussion sponsored by our brand - Again - this scenario can be a bit precarious. You want to take part in the discussion and know that other bloggers might not charge for their services. However, if the company is doing the event in a city that's not your own and have invited you to speak, they should cover the cost of all your travel expenses and if they have a budget to cover your day rate, you should ask for that as well. If they say they can't cover anything, then walk away. If they will cover travel fees, that's fair too. There will be other opportunities!

That's it for today. Please send us your questions if you have them to us at beyondpr@gmail.com. Back with more tips tomorrow!

Posted in: PR 365 on 12/31/2009