So a couple days ago, I went into a semi rant on Twitter where I basically told new bloggers (including myself) to not allow labels/companies to shit on or take advantage of you. I couldn’t really give the break down in 140 characters or less, so I decided to blog about it since so many of you requested it.
I know the excitement that a lot of you may feel when a PR rep, label, assistant to this person or that one reaches out to YOUR blog…the blog you probably thougt was barely a blip in someone’s radar…and asks you to post certain things for their client.
Initially, you’re happy to do it b/c again, they reached out to you and two, you feel as though you almost have something somewhat exclusive.
So they send you something one week…you don’t hear from them again until a week or so later. This time, they’re armed with even more stuff that they want you to post. You continue on with posting almost everything that’s sent to you, thinking that you’re not only providing your readers with great content, but you’re also showing favor for the senders client in hopes that they’ll show favor when it’s time to start passing out checks.
Album/Movie release date comes and did those same people reach out to your “little blog” to place an ad on the site? No. Why would they? You provided them with enough free promo that they don’t feel the need to pay you now. That’d be silly of them.
No, I’m not trying to sound condescending or rude. Truth is, I JUST started MissJia.com less than a year ago. Although I am not new to blogging (been doing it since 2004), I am new to entertainment blogging and making money off of it. Even though it has been less than a year, I have managed to align myself with the right people, asking the right questions and can now say that I live 100% off my blog. So it bothers me to NO end when I see people at PR agencies and the like taking advantages of smaller blogs b/c they don’t think that you know better. And some people don’t….
But if you don’t KNOW better, take the time to LEARN better…
…before you find yourself in a fucked up and less than amusing situation. There are people out there who will try to take advantage or flex power over you and your blog b/c again, you haven’t been here 3+ years like the other bloggers (and I pity you if you have and you still make bonehead decisions).
At the end of the day, the scratching of backs should be a mutual thing. Sure, I’ll post this magazine cover featuring your client…but when your client releases an album *cough* or when they drop that new movie or if they have some REAL exclusive information to share, don’t shun my blog NOW just b/c I’m not a bigger blog. Don’t lie and say that you didn’t receive certain emails when I have a ‘read’ receipt on the email that I sent you and by all means, don’t talk to me as though I don’t know how budget and business work b/c then, you’ve insulted my intelligence.
After what happened over the course of the past several weeks, I’ve made the decision that there are certain celebrities that I won’t be dealing with unless they get new folks working on their behalf. Hate to shade the artist/entertainer but blogs don’t pay for themselves.
Know your worth, folks. If you don’t at least try to figure the shit out, somebody’s gonna end up winning and it won’t be you.
COMMENTS
I think those who blog for free, make it difficult for those of us trying to make a living off of it. If PR reps, and others can filter their promos through the eager beaver (just happy they’ve been recognized) blogger for free – they’ll never feel obligated to cut an advertising share check (unless you’re a mainstream blog – i.e. Necole Bitchie, Perez.) Great post!
Ariel:* I should have specified; those blogging for free – that are in kahoots/partnership with PR reps make it difficult for career bloggers. Some of my favorite blogs have no ads/strings attached.
Jonstrax:Great post. I will bare what you have said in mind if and when i get approached by labels or companies. Just out of curiosity, would you specify in the first email that you want to receive a sum of money, exclusives or promotion ect. Or do you think that will scare them away?
Jia:It would scare anybody away if you came across that blunt from the gate.
What I’m saying is this…if XYZ Publicity sends you say, a magazine cover of their client, _______, b/c they know that he/she has an album/movie coming out soon, okay…post it. No biggie. Over the course of several days, they may send you even more things to post about them in the form of pictures, news articles, etc. But when it gets to a point where they’re straight up sending you product information, banners, etc., and asking you post them on the site, THEN it’s time to say “Okay…lets discuss prices” b/c they’re trying to take advantage. This may not be the case all the time but in more cases than not, that MO fits the bill. It only gets even more annoying when you find out that those same PR types are sending banners and what not to “larger’ sites and actually PAYING them. THAT is when I get really annoyed. So I deaded it. No more.
Jonstrax:Ok I understand, thanks for the response.
Renee Bell:Thanks for the post! This is very helpful! I’ve been blogging for almost 2 years now, and I’ve been getting some pr reps who wants me to blog about their clients. At first, I was excited to do it, but I was like why, what’s in it for me? So I never posted.They probably not even interested in my blog.
Do you think its a good idea to do a sponsored review post, where the client have to pay for you to write about their music for local up coming artist?
Or should I do it for free for networking purposes? Some of these local artist expect you to do it for free…
In all honesty, that much is up to you. I use to do a thing on my blog called “From Behind the Mic,” where I’d feature an up and coming entertainer. I stopped getting thank yous, people weren’t sharing my blog link, I stopped it.
My attitude now is unless I REALLY like you and REALLY just feel like it, Im not posting anything on the site that gets folks free exposure. People seem to not appreciate that these days.
*edited b/c I misspelled “site.” my dumb ass lol
Renee Bell:Exactly!! I’m in that state of mind right now. Bloggers need to eat too! Thanks Jia!
Jennifer Brix:Thanks so much for providing this insight Jia. It’s definitely a struggle trying to make the transition from blogging for leisure to making your blog a business.
In the process of expanding my network, it seems as if representatives of different artists and events do try to take advantage of free promotion on my behalf.
This blog entry will definitely help me to discern what is & what is not in my best interest as an enterprising blogger.
Jia:No problem, Jennifer. Feel free to email me any time. It’s ridiculous what just happened to me but again, you live and learn.
Je'Tara:Jia thanks so much for this. You know I personally love the advice you give and appreciate the fact that you are always willing to look out for us little people.
Since I have a second .com coming this will help bunches. I am looking to put the word out about up and comers but this will help me on how to deal with them because some of them love free promo.
Thanks Jia!!!
Lena:Jia, thanks for the great advice! I always appreciate when you share information for the newbies. It’s hard to find REAL information that will help you make the right decisions when it comes to running your entertainment blog as a business. Everything I’ve come across have been so generic, that anytime you give advice I’m grateful.
AssertiveWit:Someone recently pulled a stunt like this with me…
I have a blog but I also do freelance writing and editing so I find it offensive AND shady to see the same PR person giving shout outs on Twitter to other entrepreneurs they rub elbows with but don’t include me. It’s retarded because they requested I write something in regards to an artist they represent so you would think they would give a shout out simply to draw more traffic to my blog FOR THEIR ARTIST…but no, you have a TON of idiots in PR these days.
So now if I feel like it and I know they’re good people when it comes to looking out, sure. If not, too bad…they’ll find some other sucka to do it for them. I am sure.
So Tenacious:Every one who is an upcoming blogger needs to pay attention to situations like this. That’s why I came to you & asked what you thought about posting content for free, because I knew you would be honest about it. Thanks for all the advice! 
)
So does this mean that when you post a story on MissJia.com, like a Chris Brown story for instance, it’s something that his publicist or rep sent you, rather than a story that you just found interesting? Not trying to get all in your business, just wondering how exactly the whole entertainment blogging thing goes….
Also, congrats on being able to live 100% off of your blog. I wanna be like you when I grow up lol.
Jia:Hey,
First off, UCB, I wanna thank you for your continued support. I recognize your name on my blog and appreciate you for always being there. Yall dont realize how “big” of a deal those comments are, especially to new bloggers like me. So thank you….
Sometimes I get stories from publicists but in most cases, its a mailing list from fans, magazines or other blogs. They can come from various sources but more times than not, PR agencies and the like will send you stories for your blog. Personally, I’d rather post about things that interest me. Like…everybody posted the new video by a specific artist that I’m not that big on. I didn’t post about it b/c I knew that I wouldn’t have an opinion about it since I’m not really a fan of this person’s music. I usually post things that I not only think the readers will find interesting but also those things that interest me!
EricaVain:Thanks Jia this post was just what I needed to HEAR!!!
Lesy:this is great info. i myself am making the switch from blogging for leisure to blogging for business. right now im in the process of branding myself. i don’t know anything about advertising on websites, pricing, etc. do u have any resources, or pointers you can give for someone just starting?