Note: if you don't care about online "politics" or where I get items for giveaways or really anything else as long as you still get info on freebies and deals, please feel free to skip this post...but do check out the end of this post for an announcement about a change to Moms Need To Know!
If you are on Twitter, you may have heard talk about PR Blackouts, both for and against holding one. This is actually the official week that the PR Blackout is supposed to happen.
What is the PR Blackout all about? In a nutshell, many bloggers are feeling "burnt out" when it comes to product reviews and giveaways, and the PR Blackout is a way for them to give themselves a break for a week (It's actually way more complicated than that, but if you really care, you can read this post and an opposing viewpoint here)
How does this affect this site? It doesn't. While I receive pitches and offers of product daily from PR Reps and companies, I only accept those that either interest me, that I think will be of value to my readers, that fit within the theme of this site (frugal living) or that I have the time to complete. This site is mine...I control 100% of it, including if I allow myself to feel overwhelmed. There is no need for Moms Need To Know to participate in the PR Blackout because I have no problem saying "no thank you" to PR Reps if I am already bogged down. That being said, I know that each woman is different and those that do have a hard time saying "No" may really need the break!
However, recent attention has been paid to the "Mommy Blogging Community" and the products that many of us receive. With that in mind, please allow me to state my position on these issues:
1. Moms Need To Know does not accept paid posts. I don't care how much I could make by doing so, this is not the place for those posts. If I post a review, it is my honest opinion of a product and not based on a press release and a check. This is not meant to disparage any site that does accept paid posts and I realize that many sites accept paid posts and give their honest opinion of a product that they already use (with the check being a bonus). I just won't do it here.
2. With few exceptions, the giveaways that I post have included a free sample of the product/giveaway item for myself. This is actually a requirement for me to do a product review, as it is very hard to provide a review for an item that I or my family have not tried.
3. I maintain a good relationship with many PR Representatives. Just because PR Reps are in the business of creating buzz for their products does not mean that they don't have valuable information to share. In addition, I have turned down 3x more pitches than I have accepted. Simply getting a freebie for myself is not a good enough reason for me to take up space on this site. Lastly, I recently had the opportunity to spend time with several PR Reps on my trip to Boston (more on that later) and most of them are genuinely concerned that some are feeling so "burned out" and asking us how they can improve their communication with us.
4. I do not like posting negative reviews of products. Except for when I occasionally get ranty (usually about poor customer service that I have received at a store), I try to keep this website a positive spot on The Internets. There have only been a few times that I have received products that I just did not like. Rather than trash the product on this site, I chose to remain silent and not post a review. This does not mean that I am being dishonest. Rather, I am trying to follow the old adage "If you can't say anything nice, don't say it at all".
5. This website is a source of income for my family. I am now at the point where I consider myself a work-at-home mom, with Moms Need To Know being my job. From printable coupons to affiliate links, this site has been monetized in various forms. However (and especially with the affiliate links) I am very selective as to which advertising I will put on my site. I look at any deal on this site as carrying my personal stamp of approval. If I wouldn't sign up for the deal, I won't post it no matter how much money I could make by doing so. It's that simple.
With all that being said, here is where I inform you of a major change to Moms Need To Know. As a member of the BlogHerAds network, I am no longer able to post any giveaways on this site if the item was sent to me from a PR Rep or from anywhere else but directly from the manufacturer. Because I enjoy posting giveaways, I am launching a second site within the week where reviews and giveaways will be hosted. It will also be the place where I can FINALLY tell you about my trip to Boston with TJ Maxx and Marshall's and everything that I learned.
And guess what? I currently have about 6 giveaways already scheduled for that site...so stay tuned for the announcement when the site goes live!
And now, I return you to the deals and freebies. If you have ANY questions about this post or my positions, please feel free to ask!
Daisy
Don't you sometimes just wonder how it all got so complicated, LOL?? I am thrilled that you can make some money for your family. You deserve it - tons of work goes into this sort of venture - enough that it scared me away from trying it, LOL - so whatever you need to do... by all means - do... IDK why people feel the need to criticize and hurt each other so much.
Mindi Cherry
Thanks Jeannie! The arguments for and against the PR Blackout were a little heated...but I just stayed out of it. I made my decision for me site and that was it!
Jennifer Y.
I tend to put myself in the "I don't really care about online politics" category, I don't see what all the fuss is about. But, I wanted to post a comment of support. You put a lot of work into this site. It's obvious--especially to those of us who know you on FB and Twitter. You work on your vacation for Pete's sake! People should get paid for working hard and I think it's awesome that you get other perks too. You are providing a wonderful service to your readers.
Rachel
Thanks for all that you do...and I look forward to the new site! 🙂
Maria
Thanks for all the hard work you put into your site and I know how hard you work. I also know you do it so you can help people save money! You deserve all the perks that come out of working on this site so hard. Looking forward to seeing your new site.
Joanna
I, for one, am eternally grateful for stumbling across your site one day 2 months ago. It has literally changed my life! Can't wait to see the new site!!
Hilary
I agree...why did it all have to get so complicated? Oy! You do what you need to do. I am just grateful for the money you have saved us and the great deals and freebies you share. Keep up the awesome work and I look forward to your new site!
Caroline
Just wanted to say thanks for your post and everything you do to make your site so awesome!
kelly
cool, thanks for the update-looking forward to the new site-thanks for doing that for us!
JessW
I wanted to say that I really appreciate the work you put into this website and I'm really looking forward to the new site!
Lindsay
You are providing an incredible service with your site, and you should be compensated for it- in whatever form you choose.I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work. Yours is the first site I go to each morning, and you've saved me a lot of money! I'm truly in awe of the amount of time you must devote to this site-especially with young kids still at home!!
I also live in Chester County and I love the fact that you're local!
A very big heartfelt THANKS!!!
Heather
^^ What they said. ^^
^5