Reviewing Products and Blog Sponsorship Programs

I’m sure most of you know I review products and like to share my candid opinion about items here on my website.  When I first started  writing my  blog my sincere intentions were focused  on sharing my personal parenting experiences and connecting with other stay at home blogging moms.  My motives still remain the same, but I also realized there was a need for unbiased product evaluations!  Being a mom is rewarding in so many different levels but lets face it—it can also be frustrating, stressful, and emotional draining.  The last thing I want to have to worry about is if a product lives up to its description.  Is it truly green or is it a greenwashed product?  Does it perform as it promises? How about- is it actually a good value compared to similar items on the market?  Who can benefit by using the product? All these questions can be answered by moms who have tried and tested a wide array of products.  In return,  their hard work to  bring you the truth  saves you money plus time.  Don’t be fooled, it is not always easy to write up reviews.  It takes research, putting yourself out there to be criticized, and then after all your efforts you wonder if anyone actually read the review.

Compensation

Yes, sometimes (not always)  mom reviewers are compensated with a free sample for their reviews.  Why shouldn’t we be?  It takes time out of our schedules to assess and write opinions about a product.  In return a company receives attention and gets their product noticed via social media marketing.  They recognize how influential a mom’s opinion can be and the spending power behind us motivated moms.  The mom and PR partnership can be a beautiful beneficial relationship for everyone  IF  honesty is portrayed on both sides.

Expect Rejection

When I first began taking an interest in reviewing products I was a lost lamb in a jungle. I did not have a CLUE on how to contact companies to request a product for evaluation. To be honest, I am still ignorant in this procedure and usually let  companies approach me first.   I have made a few pitches in the past and never heard back from the companies.  I know this is all part of the review process, but rejection is never fun!

Join a mom blogger club.

I have learned an abundance of information on how to connect with PR and request products by joining several mom blogger clubs.  My favorite of these clubs is Momdot, since Trisha brings a professional but relaxed personal atmosphere to the table.  I have been a VIP member there for quite a few months and would highly recommend the Momdot forum to anyone who is interested in starting a blog or wanting to hang out with a terrific group of knowledgeable ladies.

Blog Sponsorship Programs and Networks

Get involved with authentic blog sponsorship programs.  This is an important step in maintaining to keep your review possibilities steady and offer your readers exciting giveaways.  If you happen to enjoy toys (I LOVE toys), GrowingTreeToys.com has a wonderful blog sponsorship program.  The educational toy company has a list of several QUALITY toys you can request for a review.  For example,  I will be reviewing a cute Dress Up Pirate Toy in a couple of weeks.  If you are interested in reviewing toys you can apply for the GrowingTreeToys.com blog sponsorship here.

Check out the pirate…

Uprinting.com is another great company who sponsors blogs.  The  online printing company consistently provides my readers with free product giveaways and happens to be an  eco-friendly business.  Would you like to be sponsored by Uprinting.com?  Click  here.

MyBlogSpark  supplies you with exciting new products for review and innovative ways to share the info with your readers.   The network was developed by General Mills (an outstanding company) and is made up of hundreds of bloggers.  MyBlogSpark is  supreme for offering bloggers opportunities that match their interest.  Products may include food and beverage, beauty,  home, electronics, and more.  If you would like to join the network go here.

Search around!  There are several more programs out there in the blogosphere that will match your interests.

Be Sensible

If your just starting off  writing your blog traffic might not be adequate enough to request prime expensive products.  It takes time to build a reader base.  Be prepared to give companies your blog statistics and please be honest with the numbers.  Lying is unethical and only hurts you in the long run.

Blogging Skills

If you would like to learn how to increase your traffic and broaden your blogging skills try listening to ProBlogger Darren Rowse.  He is a full time blogger who makes a remarkable living by blogging.    In my opinion he is a blogging genius and has tons to offer.

Competition

Competition can be healthy, but it can also negatively consume you.  There is nothing wrong with trying to better yourself, but don’t do it on the expense of others.  If all your energy is geared towards competing with other blogs, you have lost focus on why you started writing and need to reevaluate yourself. Most importantly, remember to keep your content original!