Comments for Behind the Screen http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:52:31 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on Why I skipped a big blogger trip by Molly Gold http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2012/02/01/why-i-skipped-a-big-blogger-trip/comment-page-1/#comment-3409 Molly Gold Wed, 01 Feb 2012 22:52:31 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2012/02/01/why-i-skipped-a-big-blogger-trip/#comment-3409 I am so disappointed when a brand reaches out to me with the expectation that in order to have the honor of learning more about them, that I'd be willing to pay to play. There is no other business forum I know of where business people are expected to pay to network or evangelize a brand without any kind of business partnership in place. There will always be another brand event, and hopefully one that pays at minimum for your travel, accommodations, and basic necessities. When done well, these are events worth our time and should always carry the promise of further opportunity. If this is not the case, then how can I explain to my family that a trip away from them that doesn't positively impact my business and our well being was a good decision? I am so disappointed when a brand reaches out to me with the expectation that in order to have the honor of learning more about them, that I’d be willing to pay to play. There is no other business forum I know of where business people are expected to pay to network or evangelize a brand without any kind of business partnership in place. There will always be another brand event, and hopefully one that pays at minimum for your travel, accommodations, and basic necessities. When done well, these are events worth our time and should always carry the promise of further opportunity. If this is not the case, then how can I explain to my family that a trip away from them that doesn’t positively impact my business and our well being was a good decision?

]]> Comment on Why I skipped a big blogger trip by Amy http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2012/02/01/why-i-skipped-a-big-blogger-trip/comment-page-1/#comment-3408 Amy Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:57:09 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2012/02/01/why-i-skipped-a-big-blogger-trip/#comment-3408 <a href="#comment-3407">@elizabeth traub</a>, I appreciate your comment, but I don't agree with it. If a company wants to know my commitment, there are better ways to find out than that. My time is much too valuable to gamble on something like this. This isn't a game, it's my business. And while I'm always willing to spend money where it makes sense, this doesn't make sense to me. @elizabeth traub, I appreciate your comment, but I don’t agree with it. If a company wants to know my commitment, there are better ways to find out than that. My time is much too valuable to gamble on something like this. This isn’t a game, it’s my business. And while I’m always willing to spend money where it makes sense, this doesn’t make sense to me.

]]> Comment on Why I skipped a big blogger trip by elizabeth traub http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2012/02/01/why-i-skipped-a-big-blogger-trip/comment-page-1/#comment-3407 elizabeth traub Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:51:56 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2012/02/01/why-i-skipped-a-big-blogger-trip/#comment-3407 Not sure my thoughts on this one. I worked as a consultant for over 10 years and every once in a while I run up against a company like this. I have to admit, that I have opted to pay out of pocket, as I did not want to miss a thing. Sometimes, the new companies, the unknowns, want to see your level of commitment. Kind of like "are you willing to go the extra mile for us." I actually had a company, an unknown, hand me a check at the end of my time. It was one I was grumbling over pay my transportation from the airport into the city. It's a tough call, and easy to make when business is strong and good. Those trips out of the NYC airports are spendy. A tip, find a hotel close to where you are going and take their shuttle. It is always about 1/3 of the cost. shhhhh don't tell anyone I have done that. Not sure my thoughts on this one. I worked as a consultant for over 10 years and every once in a while I run up against a company like this. I have to admit, that I have opted to pay out of pocket, as I did not want to miss a thing. Sometimes, the new companies, the unknowns, want to see your level of commitment. Kind of like “are you willing to go the extra mile for us.” I actually had a company, an unknown, hand me a check at the end of my time. It was one I was grumbling over pay my transportation from the airport into the city. It’s a tough call, and easy to make when business is strong and good. Those trips out of the NYC airports are spendy. A tip, find a hotel close to where you are going and take their shuttle. It is always about 1/3 of the cost. shhhhh don’t tell anyone I have done that.
elizabeth traub´s last [type] ..Designer Picks of the Week

]]> Comment on The completely obvious secret to getting paid for your blog posts by judith http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/comment-page-1/#comment-3393 judith Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:26:02 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/#comment-3393 I would concentrate of building links to pages that you think are going to convert well or that you think that you can rank for. I try to pick one or two blog posts a week to build backlinks to. This way, I make sure that much of my content is ranked. I would concentrate of building links to pages that you think are going to convert well or that you think that you can rank for. I try to pick one or two blog posts a week to build backlinks to. This way, I make sure that much of my content is ranked.
judith´s last [type] ..Starting Your Own Business

]]> Comment on The completely obvious secret to getting paid for your blog posts by Stephen Mills http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/comment-page-1/#comment-3391 Stephen Mills Thu, 15 Dec 2011 17:01:08 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/#comment-3391 I think it’s fine to write about products for free and call it an internship if that’s what you set out to do. But an internship is a step in a larger scheme. Once an exchange has occurred there is an expectation and you give up some control, thanks for sharing. I think it’s fine to write about products for free and call it an internship if that’s what you set out to do. But an internship is a step in a larger scheme. Once an exchange has occurred there is an expectation and you give up some control, thanks for sharing.
Stephen Mills´s last [type] ..How to make money in forex

]]> Comment on The completely obvious secret to getting paid for your blog posts by Francoise http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/comment-page-1/#comment-3388 Francoise Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:45:43 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/#comment-3388 Great point Amy! When you are posting something about a certain product, it's the same as you are promoting that product. I think you have the right to get paid on your blog. But If the company will refuse to do so, why bother to write more about them. Great point Amy! When you are posting something about a certain product, it’s the same as you are promoting that product. I think you have the right to get paid on your blog. But If the company will refuse to do so, why bother to write more about them.
Francoise´s last [type] ..My Arowana Is Not Eating No Matter What I Do !!!

]]> Comment on The completely obvious secret to getting paid for your blog posts by Amy http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/comment-page-1/#comment-3386 Amy Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:13:58 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/#comment-3386 <a href="#comment-3385">@Ciaran/Momfluential</a>, I sometimes wonder how much living in NYC influenced that first part of my blogging career. There are several events a day and I think I just assumed that that's what I was supposed to do, that that's what everyone before me had done. I didn't even know mom blogs existed before I started writing one and I wish there had been a handbook. @Ciaran/Momfluential, I sometimes wonder how much living in NYC influenced that first part of my blogging career. There are several events a day and I think I just assumed that that’s what I was supposed to do, that that’s what everyone before me had done. I didn’t even know mom blogs existed before I started writing one and I wish there had been a handbook.

]]> Comment on The completely obvious secret to getting paid for your blog posts by Ciaran/Momfluential http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/comment-page-1/#comment-3385 Ciaran/Momfluential Tue, 06 Dec 2011 03:10:25 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/#comment-3385 You speak the truth! Speaking up and asking to be paid is half the battle and an important first step towards getting paid. I think it's fine to write about products for free and call it an internship if that's what you set out to do. But an internship is a step in a larger scheme. Once an exchange has occurred there is an expectation and you give up some control. You may end up in a mosh pit and not a blogging classroom. Hence my blogger beware. I'd rather see writers write about things they are already using without the exchange, and build their readership without becoming beholden. But yes, there has to be a carrot and when someone offers you something you can genuinely use, and want to try - have at it. I certainly have and can't fault others. You have always been so organized and professional, it's hard to believe you ever did not know what you were doing. You're an inspiration! You speak the truth! Speaking up and asking to be paid is half the battle and an important first step towards getting paid.

I think it’s fine to write about products for free and call it an internship if that’s what you set out to do. But an internship is a step in a larger scheme. Once an exchange has occurred there is an expectation and you give up some control. You may end up in a mosh pit and not a blogging classroom. Hence my blogger beware. I’d rather see writers write about things they are already using without the exchange, and build their readership without becoming beholden. But yes, there has to be a carrot and when someone offers you something you can genuinely use, and want to try – have at it. I certainly have and can’t fault others.

You have always been so organized and professional, it’s hard to believe you ever did not know what you were doing. You’re an inspiration!
Ciaran/Momfluential´s last [type] ..{DIY} Transform your Home with Wrapping Paper?!

]]> Comment on The completely obvious secret to getting paid for your blog posts by Amy http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/comment-page-1/#comment-3384 Amy Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:25:01 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/#comment-3384 <a href="#comment-3383">@Gigi</a>, Thank you very much! Both of your posts really got to me (in a good way). It seems like it all shouldn't be this complicated. @Gigi, Thank you very much! Both of your posts really got to me (in a good way). It seems like it all shouldn’t be this complicated.

]]> Comment on The completely obvious secret to getting paid for your blog posts by Gigi http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/comment-page-1/#comment-3383 Gigi Tue, 06 Dec 2011 02:17:53 +0000 http://behindthescreen.selfishmom.com/2011/12/05/the-completely-obvious-secret-to-getting-paid-for-your-blog-posts/#comment-3383 Thank you for the linkback! I laughed when I saw that you're a Libra and that's why you can see both sides (which Ciaran and I both agreed we're really not on opposite "sides" but discussing different dimensions that are related). I am a Libra too, and that's why this subject has been so difficult for me to tackle and figure out where I stand. It sounds like we have both had similar paths - using the first phase of our blogging careers as the learning curve, making mistakes and gaining the tools and resources needed to get to the point where asking for money didn't feel so ridiculous. And I agree with you wholeheartedly that a lot of bloggers get stuck in the first phase and don't know how to move past it. Like you, I've either pitched paid ideas to brands or responded to pitches that were originally not meant to be paid. Surprisingly, a few bite. And that's how a business can be born. One opportunity always leads to another. Thanks for adding another voice to the discussion - I loved this post and couldn't agree more with all of it! :) Thank you for the linkback! I laughed when I saw that you’re a Libra and that’s why you can see both sides (which Ciaran and I both agreed we’re really not on opposite “sides” but discussing different dimensions that are related). I am a Libra too, and that’s why this subject has been so difficult for me to tackle and figure out where I stand.

It sounds like we have both had similar paths – using the first phase of our blogging careers as the learning curve, making mistakes and gaining the tools and resources needed to get to the point where asking for money didn’t feel so ridiculous. And I agree with you wholeheartedly that a lot of bloggers get stuck in the first phase and don’t know how to move past it.

Like you, I’ve either pitched paid ideas to brands or responded to pitches that were originally not meant to be paid. Surprisingly, a few bite. And that’s how a business can be born. One opportunity always leads to another.

Thanks for adding another voice to the discussion – I loved this post and couldn’t agree more with all of it! :)
Gigi´s last [type] ..Bloggers Working For Free: Not A Black and White Issue

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