Monday, April 18, 2016

Dear Readers,

You're welcome.  Why?  You have no idea what all I could be posting here, if I actually did what I'm constantly being asked to, via email requests.  Instead of reading posts written by me, I could be sharing all kinds of information, infographics, and posts written by some random stranger.  And the funniest part of this is that these email requests?  All want me to do this for free.  Because, apparently their content is JUST SO SPECIAL that I should be happy to do this.  Now, normally I just hit delete on these emails, but a few weeks ago I was bored and responded to one, just out of curiosity.  Here's the email chain, minus the company/contact names:
Hey Shelley!
I hope you're having a great week! My name is XXXXX and I came across My Journey to Fit back in October while looking for healthy living inspiration.

I wanted to reach back out to you because I thought you might be interested in sparking a conversation about the best post-workout snacks. From beginners to seasoned workout veterans, many people don't know how to properly refuel after a sweat session. We'd love to see an upcoming post on your blog that shares some of your favorite post-workout snacks to inspire others to get the most out of their workout recovery.

Just let me know if you are interested and I would love to provide you with more details!
Yours in health,
XXXXX

Hi XXXXX,
I get several emails like yours on a weekly basis and usually just delete them, but I'm curious - will you pay for this post?  Why would I spark a conversation about post-workout snacks otherwise?

Hoping to hear what's in this for me, because I honestly don't know...

Hey Shelley,
Thanks so much for getting back to me! We have found that this is a very hot topic that people are looking for more information on and have had bloggers write on it using us as a resource to their readers. These posts have received many great comments and are helpful for those seeking to live a healthier lifestyle. We would love for you to participate, but unfortunately, for this project we are not looking to partake in sponsored placements or monetary exchanges- I'm really sorry about that. However, we are running social exchanges with some of the posts we receive. That being said, I completely understand how much work goes into a successful blog and I also understand if this doesn't fit within your blogs requirements. I appreciate you following up with me.

Best,
XXXXX
Just to be clear, this is a daily occurrence.  And no, even if they offered to pay me, I wouldn't do that...which is why you aren't seeing a post written about martial arts - that was the rare email who did offer me a cool $30 to write a sponsored post for their company, but I'm not in this for the money, obviously.

Now, if Hoka would send me free shoes, sure, I'll write a post about them - but I've already done that, just because I liked the shoes and wanted to share that.  So I guess I screwed myself out of a potential freebie, dang it.  Sadly for my bank account, no one is beating down my door offering me things that I really want, and would love to review, like running gear or yarn.

Oh well, such is life.  And hey, at least not making any money from this blog means I don't have to report anything on my taxes and try and figure THAT out, so I've got that going for me.  Happy Income Tax Day to my fellow Americans - hope you've got your taxes filed and had no unexpected surprises in the form of having to pay.  We made out OK, but I sure miss our little deductions...darn them for growing up!

30 comments:

  1. Thanks for staying commercial free on your blog. I like coming here because I enjoy your style of writing about YOUR authentic life. You keep it real with both the good and bad.

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  2. And thank you for the Hoka reviews - you got me hooked after being a lifetime Asics gel kyano fan - and my knees thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now see, that makes me feel good - and that's why I like to share about products that work for me, even though I'm not their brand ambassador or getting paid to do so. Yay for happy knees!!!

      Delete
  3. Ha, I have to say I know exactly which company sent that email cus I got the same exact one. Not only did they send it to me last week, but they also sent it to me a few months ago too (apparently they didn't even remember because the way the email was wrote it was if they had just discovered my blog for the first time!) I thought we would at least get some healthy snacks to try, ya know since that's such a "hot topic". I'm glad you took the time to respond to see what it was all about and actually I do give the company credit for responding back to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. OK, so that's four of us who got that email (based on the comments here so far) and none of use fell for it. Gee, offer NOTHING and no one takes the bait? How surprising!!

      Delete
  4. I wouldn't like sponsored posts either. Unless someone tries to make money from their blog I can understand. But if it's a personal blog it would annoy me instead of interest me.

    I read a lot of food blogs from Dutch food bloggers and they do sponsored articles and get paid for it. They make a living through their blog and I understand they sometimes put a recipe on the blog that is sponsored but they always mention it.

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I understand certain blogs doing relevant sponsored posts, especially when that is how they're earning a living. But to be honest, even if it's a blog that I regularly read, when they put up a sponsored post, 99% of the time I skip reading it.

      Delete
    2. Me too except for the food blogs :) it is always a recipe and that interests me.

      Delete
  5. When I got this email, I thought it was so funny that the only way I knew it was supposed to be about nuts was from her email address and then a PS about them posting on their Twitter (like I GAF). But, to their credit, they tweaked their sell to me just a bit. Lol.

    Thanks for not posting that crap. I don't either and am astonished to be continually asked. One time I responded to a request from some rando to do a guest post saying I don't allow those and they actually searched my blog until they found one I had a friend write about a race, to call me out on saying that. Sigh. I don't allow those WHEN IT'S SOMETHING IRRELEVANT. Seriously.

    But they'll keep asking because many seem to say yes!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought the same thing too - you really had to look to see who it was from. I have to ask, how much did they offer you?

      Oh, and I had the same thing happen, years ago, regarding a guest post. I said I didn't do them, and then they linked to one MY HUSBAND had done, about my weight loss. Same thing in their mind. Dopes.

      Delete
    2. Sorry, I edited my comment cause I realized I confused that email with another! (My husband and I were just talking about this yesterday so I was reading them to him!) so no money offer :) sorry for the mistake!

      Delete
    3. Oh, I figured you edited it to take out the link to that company.

      Delete
    4. I decided that would be a nice thing to do after I edited it! Sorry, again!

      Delete
  6. I don't get them as often as you but I get them as well. Very annoying. I mean seriously, unless you see me talking about a specific thing on my blog that you want to pay me to talk about some more, don't. Just don't.

    They must get some positive responses though otherwise they wouldn't keep sending these emails out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I guess they must get enough people to say yes to keep sending these out, but it is ridiculous. And I find it funny because in order to get my blog email address, the link you click on says "...don't bother if you're offering anything to do with diet pills, programs or schemes...I don't endorse that type of thing. Nor do I allow guest or sponsored posts on my blog, so again, don't bother asking" which in their minds must mean FULL STEAM AHEAD.

      Delete
  7. I got that same email! They even offered to send me free infographics to include in my post. Hello? Sadly, I did see one blogger post it.

    I've also had offers to write content for me. Now why would I do that? Turns out it was an online gaming site. Because that has so much to do with running.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. FREE INFOGRAPHICS?!? I can't believe you didn't take them up on that one. //rolleyes//

      Oh, the content offers are hilarious as well. Absolutely nothing to do with my blog's theme, yet they think I'm desperate for material and will use their random piece??

      Delete
  8. So ironic that the way I "met" you was because I sent one of those emails!! Which makes me even more glad that you didn't just delete me. :)
    I get the strangest requests, too. Like things that truly aren't related to running or fitness at all. My favorite is when they try to pull some little detail out of your latest post, like, "Oh, I'm totally a fan, I read all your stuff." Lol!
    I've grown to really appreciate the bloggers who aren't for sale. There are so few of us left, it seems.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's true, I'd forgotten how we "met" - but your email was written from such a personal standpoint right from the beginning that I kept reading. And actually linked your site, because you are a real person, not a company looking to get free publicity from me.

      Delete
  9. I think I even got that one! And a few others recently. What I don't understand is when they say something about linking to a blog I wrote four years ago? Do they think someone is actually reading that? Oh, also recently I got one about the dangers of pancreatic cancer or something like that. Well, I agree its dangerous. But that's not the topic of my blog, in case you didn't notice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've had emails that wanted to link to very old posts - why?? Makes no sense.

      Delete
  10. I get these all the time and worse when the same person keeps emailing. I guess they figured since I ignored them that it wasn't an outright no.

    I will review products on occasion if they interest me, but these articles they want you run for them? Puh-lease.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have someone who keeps emailing me asking me if I've read their previous emails - um, yeah, and the lack of response should be hint...

      Delete
  11. Dear Shelley, I've been a reader for years and wondering if you'd be interested in this amazing opportunity! I will write a guest post on old running shoe insoles. The support they give, and their calorie content. It will spark a conversation! Yours in shoes, Roz
    LOL....

    ReplyDelete
  12. *sigh* I get those danged emails, too. Now if someone offered me a big pile o'yarn, natural fibers, all weights and a rainbow of colors, well then maybe I'd write for them or let them post on my blog.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. For real, I probably could be bought for a big pile o'yarn! ;)

      Delete
  13. This looks very much like the person who has been after me lately! I requested a sample of their particular snack, which was refused.

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    Replies
    1. And I'll bet you that they are positively mystified as to WHY their attempt at "working" with bloggers isn't working. //rolleyes//

      Delete

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