{Blogging 101} A few questions answered about blog drops

One of my first media drops was a pack of toilet paper. It was just before we got married last year and while I was really glad we had received it because my parents were going to be staying in our house while we were on honeymoon and at least now they would have luxury 3 ply toilet paper, I wasn’t really sure exactly how or what to share about the toilet paper. I mean how do you review toilet paper? But I did mention it because I was new to receiving things so I mentioned it.

I am not so quick to mention everything I get now!

So what exactly are blog/media/desk drops?

They are the products you get sent, often without asking for them or knowing what is being sent. Often they are when a new product launches or there is a rebrand etc.

So what are you supposed to do with a media drop?

In short the answer is nothing. You, as a blogger, are under no obligation to do anything with that media drop. Unless you and the brand have an agreement you really do not have to do anything with it. That said though, you can also do anything you want with it. If the product you received is something you love, find useful or think people need to know then you can blog about it. If the brand is one you support then you can share their details and promote the brand on your social media sites. The key is to remember that you are under no obligation to share anything you don’t want to.

You aren’t the only blogger receiving that media drop, it is being sent to a host of bloggers, magazine and newspaper editors, very few of the media drops that an editor receives probably actually ever make it to the pages of their publication.

There are a few things to remember when dealing with these media drops though.

• ALWAYS say thank you! ALWAYS. It doesn’t matter if you hate the product, say thank you!
• Unless it is something you really hate, there is no harm in sharing a photo with a mention on twitter or Instagram about it.
• Be honest but polite! If the brand asks you for feedback or why you haven’t mentioned it – be honest and say you don’t really like the product or whatever the reason is.
• Don’t be bullied. You do not have to post anything you don’t feel comfortable with, if PR agencies keep calling you, be firm and say you mentioned it on Instagram but do not feel it warrants a whole blog post.
• Honor any agreements you have made. If you have agreed to write about something, then you do need to do that. If you really can’t then communicate with the people involved.
• A media drop is not a payment for a blog post. Do not feel like you have to say something for fear the brand will never contact you again. If you turn your blog into a media drop feedback page chances are you are going to loose readers faster than you can use your free toilet paper, which is not going to help your long term goals at all.

Media drops are great, they are especially great when the product you receive is something you use, want or need. Do not feel pressured into posting information you are not comfortable with though. It is your blog, your name and your decision as to what you mention and where you mention it.