I’ve written about this subject before but I feel so annoyed this morning that I feel I have to write something again. I am constantly flabbergasted at the fact people think my time is of no consequence and that they expect me to work for them for absolutely free!

My blog is three things.

1) It is, essentially, my business. First and foremost. I’m not beating around the bush or playing about with it, this is how I earn my money. Through sponsored posts, advertising and networking which has meant gaining social media contracts with other companies. End of. I’m not embarrassed by this fact. I don’t consider this declaration boastful. I am in business like lots of other people and I am in it to make money.

2) It is to provide good reads. I write about topical subjects, important issues, frivolous nothings, funnies, fashion, food and a whole host of other things including my own life. I also review things from all of the above categories. I get good stats so obviously I am doing something right. You might like to beg to differ but frankly, I don’t care if you do!

3) It is to document our family times. This is for me and for my family but I don’t mind if others see it too, get something from it, hate something in it or want to judge me. I write it because I want to.

With anything I write from the political to the reviews of a toothbrush, I write them in a way I hope is engaging and interesting and I try to be as thorough as I can be. I am not a magazine, I don’t have to write from a non biased position, I write a blog so I have the luxury of it being able to all come from my own perspective. People read it and I hope they get something from it. Shared experiences, seeing something they like, I don’t know…

It is self indulgent to an extent and it pays my bills.

I am a registered Limited Company and I run my blog (as well as the work I do as a social media manager) through my business, Rocknroller Baby Ltd. Why then, do SOME people expect bloggers to work for free?

I am inundated, literally flooded daily with press releases and PR companies asking if I will post about this or Tweet about that. For a fee? Often yes and that makes good business sense once it is negotiated but I’d say 50% of the time they are asking on the off chance if I will do it for free. Now in one way I am of the opinion that if you don’t ask then you don’t get and a press release, well that’s fine. I don’t have to do anything with it, but… Some people are so bloody bold!

This morning I got a call from a PR manager after an email asking if he could discuss working with me on something. He made me an offer. A ticket (singular) to something which is far away from my house and something which I could apply for press accreditation and get free tickets for anyway. In return for this ticket which would leave me out of pocket in work time and a lot of petrol as well as child care for Florence who would need taking to school and looking after at the end of the day, I was asked would I blog about the event. Before. During. AND After!

No.

No. No. No. No. No.

I am a blogger in business not a flipping mug and I know my worth because I have been doing this for a long time (and so do the companies who want my voice). I didn’t set up my company and go through all the hassle of tax returns and everything that goes with it to be insulted in this manner. The irony? This is a company I frequently mention because I use it through choice, not because I’ve been asked to and because I genuinely think their products are of good value and quality. I wonder how they’d feel next time I shop with them if I say ‘Look, I’m going to make you an offer, how about I take this product away and have it for free in return for you to be able to say yes, please do just steal from me, why not?!

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