I'm still stewing over something so I'm hoping to write about it and move on. Back in April, I got a private message on Twitter from the marketing people behind an app I use. I had asked a question on their Facebook page, and, despite my not having my blog information on my personal Facebook page, they must have followed the internet rabbit trail back to this site. They said they would love to work with me and asked that I get in touch.


I sent an email saying I enjoy using their app and I'd be happy to work with them on sponsored content. I'm sure you can see where this is going. Crickets. I never heard from them again. Had I gone to them to ask how to get my client as one of their in-app ads, they would have responded with rates. Because they are a business. Well, guess what? So am I.

After I sent my email I jotted down some ideas to present to them beyond a general review that would have crossed all budget levels. I know this won't be the last time a company blows me off after I respond to their soft pitch with my rates, but it's still really disappointing. I used their app yesterday and today, which is probably why I'm still a little bitter. Who better to help a brand increase their social profile than its loyal users?


Now, I'm sure some of you are thinking, "maybe they don't have any money." It's possible, and it's something PR says all the time. But. I can pull up links to other posts about this app, and the links the writers used are all affiliate links. So there's money somewhere. Not responding to me at all was a bit unprofessional and it prevented us from being able to come up with an alternate form of compensation beyond a straight paycheck. While cash is king, I am open to other ideas if they make sense.


I think I've been pretty clear about how I want to work with brands. My About Me pages are the most visited on my site. But just in case, I copied the snippet below from my Policies and Procedures:


Sponsored Content: If your pitch involves 'sharing information with my readers,' be prepared to receive a response with my rates. Let's work together to create a program for your client/brand. Whether it's one post or an entire campaign across platforms (video, Pinterest, Facebook,Twitter), I want to help you create exposure for brands that fit my site.


Yes, I do make exceptions and this may have been a time I was willing to do so, but now I'll never know. Even though I used the app today, this situation has colored my opinion of them. I'm not sorry I mentioned money. They wanted me to provide a service (and use my trust capitol to provide that service); I told them the service came with a price. It's too bad, because I think we could have put together something really fun and I think it would have tied in nicely with the posts I've done before about the apps I like and the app board I have on Pinterest. I'm wondering if I should send one last email or just let it go.


Though this situation was a little discouraging, I'll be sticking to my guns when it comes to pay and sponsored content. Hopefully me maintaining my principles will attract the kinds of brands and businesses that see the value in what bloggers can provide. 

What about you: have you heard crickets when you mentioned your rates? How did you handle the situation? 

Photo credit freedigitalphotos.net

House Proud | Our Home Renovation Story

I got an email from someone who watched one of my YouTube videos and it totally made my day. He message wasn't about the content in the video, but rather a request for the name of the paint color in my kitchen. I'm sure it seems silly to you, but I took it as a compliment.

Our house is a fixer. Though there was another, more move-in ready model with the same floor plan for sale at the same time, we chose this one because it's on a cul de sac and had a tiny patch of grass in the front. We were naive enough to think we could renovate room by room and be finished within five years. I've watched enough HGTV and DIY Network that I should have known better. We've been here six years and the kitchen is the only room we've touched.

When we bought the house, I was working for a builder. Part of my job was to scope out the model homes of our competitors. I had a ton of ideas of what I wanted my first house to look like, all based on the gorgeous model homes I visited. I had a very specific vision inspired by one of the homes my former company designed. What a wake up call it was when it came time to price the stuff for our kitchen! Some of the the things I wanted cost the same as a compact car.

Still, I wanted to get as close to my vision as possible. Phil and I visited every home, hardware, flooring, lighting, appliance and window covering store within a 20 mile radius to choose the kitchen components. We had less than a month and only $10,000 (including labor) to pull it all together. We did go over budget but barely so. We made it happen for a lot less than a kitchen usually costs and we're so happy with the results.

Getting the email made me happy because someone else took note of our hard work and efforts. Our kitchen is a labor of love, patience and Phil's handyman skills. It definitely looks and feels like 'us.' If you're ever at my house, now you know why I won't offer to take you on a tour but I will ask if you want coffee.

Patti, the color you're asking about is Sherwin Williams #6270 in Soul Mate. Thank you for noticing.