Marketing to Moms & How NOT to Mess With A Blogger!

Look, it's no secret, I like getting stuff -- says so, right on my review blog -- but, what I especially like about blogging is finding out about stuff (whatever it is, I need, at the moment) connecting with others (like me) and then being able to share all the good stuff...with you guys ...FAST!

Yeah, sometimes I get invited to really cool events (seriously, even my real life friends were more than a little surprised to see pictures of me...in Hollywood) but, I've been doing this for almost 6 years now (blogging, I mean) and, whenever I get to do really cool stuff, I am very thankful for it.

The onslaught of viral marketing to moms on the Internets, not so much.

You see, I love my blog (figuratively speaking, of course) and I can't imagine a day without writing, something (imperfect, as it is) and I take great pleasure in knowing that, through my blog, I have met thousands of people (literally, much more interesting, you bet) who have become an important part of our story.

The Internets have watched my family grow, fight, cry, laugh and even puke (a lot) and...yes...This Full House has evolved into something way larger than I could have ever imagined...6 years ago.

No, I don't think we're anything special -- we're still 6 ordinary people living in the same 7 room house -- but, the difference between me and...oh, I dunno...some other moms (in my neighborhood, anyway) is that I have a blog and I choose to use my voice in as many good ways, as possible.

Like, making OTHER mothers look good...you're welcome.

So, in a way, I am my own brand and the difference between me and...oh, I dunno...marketers who choose not to follow through on their promises is that I don't get paid to clean up your messes.

Or, mine...for that matter.

Sure, I am very thankful when a company offers to send me stuff that I, or my family could really use and then sponsors a giveaway so I could share it with other families, who could use stuff, just the same!

Especially, if it works and I haven't managed to break it...yet.

What I don't like is when I receive an email, from a reader, letting me know that a giveaway has NOT been received.

Twice.

This week.

I did my part, now do yours, damnit.

What THESE bad marketers don't see, or seem to want to understand, is the time it takes to switch laundry....Twitter...cook dinner...blog...clean up cat puke...go on Facebook and check in on my teens...and then surf the Internets for articles on how to better manage my time!

Because, my husband is the one who gets the paycheck...not me.

Besides, YOU are making ME look bad and that is one area I do NOT need any help with - thankyouverymuch!

You want people to trust your brand?

[heads up!]

Do NOT waste a consumer's time.

You want to market to moms?

[grab your pens!]

Do NOT take a blogger for granted.

I'm a mom, who just happens to have a blog - don't mess with me - heaven knows that I've seen too much of that, already!

[Follow-up posts on: Marketing to Moms]

 

© 2009 This Full House & This Full House Reviews - All Rights Reserved.

Comments

[Christine]

Well said. I had this same problem earlier this week. Thankfully the company made it right, but only after some, umm, strong emails from me. I don't have time to make marketers do their job. It's THEIR product. Not mine. Ticking me off isn't going to help their word of mouth campaign one bit.

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hey Christine,

Yeah, I'm ticked and (contrary to what my children will tell you) I don't tick, easily.

Hugs,

Liz

[MammaLoves]

Rock on sister!!! I couldn't agree more.

And as someone who does make a paycheck, your offer better well be worth my time and reputation. You don't want me billing you my hourly rate. Trust me.

Oh and dear marketing folks...we moms talk to each other. You definitely don't want us to talk badly about you, do you??

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

My Dear MamaLoves,

You are so right - it's all about time and reputation! Oh, and we moms really do speak to each other and I Twitter MamaLoves...all...the...time!

Thanks for your time.

Hugs,

Liz

[Nicole (SAHM Reviews)]

Great words, Liz. I always ask the people who win let me know when something arrives so I can mark it off. I guess I need to do a better job of following up since I've been taking for granted that the marketing folks are doing their job.

Sigh. I don't get paid for what I do, I do it because I love it. And I know how excited I am when I get to give something away (or when I win) so it's discouraging to hear that people aren't getting their stuff.

[Dawn Meehan]

Woo Hoo!!! You go Liz! Well said!
I can't wait to see you next week!!! EEEEEE!!!!

[Angie]

Preach it sister! LOL

I am just now learning and about to get in on some product reviews on my blog and I hope this doesn't happen.

I have personally experienced this and it's no fun. Not only did I not get the product that was promised but the blogger didn't do anything to make up for it either, not once but a few times. Not a good experience.

I wanna go to Hollywood hee hee

[Mom on the Run]

I'm mad, too. In the last few weeks I have been the happy winner of a Nintendo DS, some sort of cable to charge multiple devices, and a Me Time T-shirt. So, anyone seen my prizes. Chirp, chirp, chirp. No, I didn't think so. One prize is from a reputable mom website...the cable I cannot even remember. But, you can bet your life that I will contact these folks and let them know that their markeing partners are not doing their job.

In contrast I've held a giveaway for a Progresso gift basket (received by winner), Fruit Roll-Ups (I e-mailed the winner a code), and my current giveaway, a 3-month subscription to jumpstart.com, an online virtual world for kids. Contest ends January 26 at noon. Go to www.writingmylifeoneblogatatime.blogspot.com End of shameless plug!

Liz, sorry for hijacking your blog with my stuff!

BTW, I like your new look. Have you thought of adding your unnamed husband to the photo of your family by using a cardboard cutout of someone else (Garth...Wayne's World)? Do Blockbuster still have these cutouts? My husband coached a high school volleyball team. He could not be in the team photo. One of his kids worked at Blockbuster and brought over a cutout of Dr. Evil (my husband has a Phd) and Austin Powers (for the also absent co-coach). We have this photo beside our front door with out kids' team photo. Every one who looks at the wall, does a doubletake when looking at that photo!

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hi Nicole!

You said, "I do it because I love it."

Therein lies the rub - marketers speak in profit margins (rightfully, so) and are still trying to "get" a hold of this whole blogging thing.

And if anyone's still wondering, I treat visitors to my blog no different than I would if you were sitting right in my living room (cramped as it is) and take my recommendations very seriously.

I hope that helps.

I'm just getting real tired of having to entertain blog-to-blog salespeople, you know?

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hi Angie,

Good luck with your product reviews. I love writing informational-type articles and my family has had lots of fun with our product reviews.

Best advice I can give is to stay true to your voice and remember...you ARE the boss of your blog!

[Angela Cooper]

I stand and applaud you.

[Tracey B.]

I haven't had any guys cheat my winners out of prizes... yet. I still get nervous though when I send out their addresses and wonder, "Will they really get what I promised?"

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hi Tracey B.,

Yep, I know what you mean. I'm going to have to keep a close watch and ask for confirmations, or email receipts from now on. Thanks for stopping by :)

Liz

[Chefdruck]

Liz,
I so agree with you. I've been having more and more trouble with that and it's very frustrating. The winner gets a bad taste in their mouth about my blog and the company and I get saddled with extra work. Thanks for setting the record straight!

By the way, I've now added you to my blogroll. I should have done it right about our NJ party but forgot! You are such an inspiration.

Vanessa

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hey Vanessa!

Thank you for including your thoughts and adding to the importance of this very "touchy" subject. A lot of marketers just don't know who they're dealing with and don't even seem to care. I'm no rocket scientist, but that just sounds like bad business to me.

Hugs,

Liz

[Mamacita]

I no longer read the newspaper (too expensive and too full of spelling and grammar mistakes) or listen to the radio (I hate it when the DJ steps on the song, and the commercials are just too stupid) or watch TV (except on Hulu or DVD) so I get ALL of my media information from the magical internets, specifically from the blogs of people I respect - such as yours, and you. When a blogger says a business is good, I will probably patronize it. When a blogger relates how a business cheated, or reneged, etc., I will absolutely NOT patronize that business. The Blogosphere is word of mouth, and word of mouth has always been and WILL always be the best indicator of any business' quality of reputation. I've loved you for a long time, and any advice you give, I will take, whether it's "This business rocks; buy their stuff" or "This business did not keep their promise; step away from it." Savvy businesses understand this, and those business that are not savvy? I don't go there. Ever. If they are not truthful in one aspect, they will not be truthful in all the other aspects. I talk too much. Let me sum up: I'm with YOU, Elizabeth. Thanks.

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Mamacita,

Thank you SO MUCH for taking time out to stop by and leave your thoughts. I respect you (and your opinions) very much and I am very glad that you chose to hit "comment" and shared them, here! Besides, shut doesn't go up :)

Hugs,

Liz

[Kimberly/Mom in the City]

I get nervous when I read posts like this. In the past, I have primarily shipped the prizes directly to winners. Now (due to out-of-control postage bills), I'm asking more and more sponsors to ship the prizes directly to the winners.

I guess that I just have to be extra careful regarding whom I work with...

Thanks for the reminder!

[valmg]

Very well put!
I'm sorry to hear this happened to you at all but especially sorry to hear it happened several times in the week.
I have had this happen and it's so embarrassing to receive an email from the person who's supposed to be getting the prize asking you where it is.

[Anthony]

Well I'm glad to read this and take a measure of the frustration that you or anyone would feel.
Viral Marketers/Spammers should be kept on their toes when they fail to deliver.
Its not as though anyone was begging for freebies and handouts to begin with, but a deal is a deal.

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hey valmg,

I'm sorry to hear that it seems to happening more and more - thanks for leaving your thoughts!

Liz

[Leighann of Soy is the New Black and The Full Mommy]

I am glad you addressed this.

I ran a big giveaway with a big prize worth $250 that was for a reader to enjoy while watching the Super Bowl. And then I received an e-mail the night before the Super Bowl saying that the prize will not get there on time.

I am incredibly embarrassed and truly regretful that my reader didn't get to enjoy her Super Bowl swag during the big game.

She was understanding, but still. The company had the benefit of all that pre-game free advertising and they didn't hold up their end of the bargain.

And I feel like the schmuck because I held the giveaway because it was a cool prize, not because I would benefit in any way.

I wish I could send prizes directly to the winners, but with a job, kids, life, etc., the time, money, and logistics to package and ship all prizes would be overwhelming to me.

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hey Leighann,

That totally stinks. I saw that same Superbowl promotion all over the Internets and wonder if anyone else had that problem? Either way, it still stinks. Thanks for adding your thoughts and I really hope that we can learn from each other's experiences...good and bad.

Liz

[Jenny from the blog]

Loved your tenacity. See that's why I don't do give aways. Well,that and the fact that no one gives me free stuff in the first place and having to buy your own stuff for a give away just makes you want to keep it for yourself. So, why bother with the guilt.

[Liz@thisfullhouse]

Hi Jenny,

You're right, I don't see the point of having to buy my own giveaways -- on the other hand, it's really nice when a company agrees to share their product (especially, if it works and I featured it in my review blog) well, then I absolutely love giving stuff away and allow other people (like me) the chance to try it, for themselves.

On the other hand (because, apparently, I have three) I've since learned to be really, really, picky with who I work with and, honestly, when do you ever get a chance to do that, in real life, too?

Hugs,

Liz