I realise how ridiculously entitled the heading of this blog post makes me sound. When I first started Forever Saving For A Rainy Day it never occurred to me that I’d receive free products from companies. It wasn’t something I even dreamt about as the possibility never seemed real. I am beyond grateful to have received, and continue to receive, products from a range of brands for me to put to the test. I only ever accept from companies that don’t restrict my honesty or creativity as being able to speak freely about products is crucial to me. I’ve had some wonderful experiences with gifted products and liaised with some fantastic people to organise these opportunities. However; there can be downsides to some PR marketing campaigns which get on my nerves.
Expecting Everything For Nothing
When a brand whose products I love and have used for over 5 years were looking for ambassadors I excitedly applied. I received paperwork with guidelines of what they wanted on a monthly basis. We’re talking Instagram posts, reels, stories of finding the products in multiple shops, reviews, Facebook content and more. They were asking a lot on a regular basis including specific tasks in exchange for zero payment and under £15 worth of product each month. I was really excited at the prospect of being involved with this brand but felt like it was too much for me to commit to and as though bloggers or micro influencers were being taken for granted when I considered how much advertising campaigns to spread the word must cost.
When Companies Completely Ignore You After You’ve Met Obligations
This has happened to me on more than one occasion. I arrange gifted collaborations via email and there’s usually a polite, pleasant flow of emails when discussing products I’d like to receive or details about my skin type and even approximate dates to share content if this is a requirement. What can get on my nerves is after I’ve met obligations, if there are any, and I contact a company expressing thanks etc in the not too distant future and I’m completely ignored. One example, I totally fell for a product from a campaign and emailed to thank them again for reaching out and including me along with all the reasons I thought this product was fantastic. I mentioned that as I was so impressed I’d posted multiple times about it, which is essentially giving them free advertising, and would absolutely love to be kept in mind for any future collaborations. I never heard back and this email went ignored along with one letting them know I’d posted and hoping they liked my content etc. When situations are handled like this it sadly can make me feel a bit like I’ve just been used for cheap advertising and they don’t care about the content creators, just getting their name out there.
When Products Are Sent With No Obligations But You’re Chased Immediately
I have received products before, after confirming there are zero obligations to share online or review, and within a week received messages about the products. I was asked what I thought of them so far along with other detailed questions that took me by surprise and made me feel a bit hounded. I’d not opened the products as I wasn’t aware there was a sense of urgency and the more I felt pushed the less inclined I felt to share the brand’s products which is a shame.
When You’re Asked For A Full Review In 2 Weeks
I refuse to give full reviews unless I’ve used a product at absolute minimum of 6 weeks. I prefer 8. I a brand wants a “review” within 2 or 3 weeks I will always state that I’m happy to share content to meet these deadlines but they will be first impressions only. There’s no way I can decide within a fortnight if a product works for me, particularly if its skincare.
The Final Word – Once again, I feel incredibly fortunate to receive PR packages, I will never take this for granted, and would hate for this post to come across as me throwing my toys out of the pram.
Forever Saving For A Rainy Day
Forever Saving For A Rainy Day 