Blogger & PR/Brand Events


I have been blogging for 2 years now - so have come to a point where I have seen some of the best and worst parts of it. I love the engagement, the improvement, seeing people love your content is SO rewarding.

I love being given the opportunity to work with brands, already loving a brand and them contacting you asking if you would like to try out some more from them, or being given an opportunity to try a brand you haven't used before - it is definitely an incredible experience.

Unfortunately the relationship between bloggers and PR can be pretty crap, we seem to have expectations from each other and lack of understanding - well for some of us anyways. Brand relationships can be incredible, but you need to be strong and know your worth - especially when it comes to your blog and PR expectations, I have found this most at Events.



So a brand invites you to an event, totally up to you if you go - but there is usually an incentive like a goodie bag, but what is expected from this goodie bag? A post? Social Media Coverage? Hopefully the PR/Brand has made this clear to you, but sometimes they don't.

First up is to ask what the expectations are if they haven't made this clear already. If its just to attend -fantastic! There is no pressure, you go along, have a fab time - put it on instastories or snapchat because you are having such a good time - and taadaa, its win win, the PR is happy, and so are you - no pressure and both parties are happy!

The issues arise when they are expecting more from you. If you are expected to write a full post, links, get your photo taken, add comments, anything that feels *worky* you need to make the decision if you are happy to work for free. The key thing you need to take into consideration here is you are giving them free advertising - would they be working their job with no pay? Probably not. If you are feeling like you have to stay for hours, or take a lot of photos for a post and write it all up - this is something they should be paying you for - and you have every right to ask for this, or leave the event.

Unfortunately some brands don't understand how much time and effort we need to put into a post - HOURS, it should never be just expected - ever.

I find when posts are not expected, and they just want you to have a fun time - I am more likely to post about it - because I have enjoyed myself, it hasn't been worky - it's been fun! (Like my Kiehl's Post)

So basically my rule is - If it feels like work, you should be treated like an employee - AKA Paid. 

I hear so many people talk about how Lucky we are, and I totally understand that - we are incredibly lucky to be given the opportunity - but, that should never take away from the amount of work we put into our blogs, and if you are taking time out of your schedule to go to events, you should be getting something productive from it.

Have you ever had a bad experience at an Event or with PR? Have you ever been to an event? Let me know in the comments below :)



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30 comments

  1. Loved this. I haven't been able to go to an event due to my surgeries but im hoping to go to one this year. I agree though to get everything agreed before you attend.


    www.EmmysBeautyCave.com

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  2. I'm just starting to enter the world of events/working with PR so this is good to keep in mind, thanks x

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  3. Interesting post and controversial topic! I've heard of bloggers being paid to attend events but have never been paid myself - usually I see the event itself as the incentive as on top of the goodie bag you might have food and drinks, maybe have your hair / makeup / nails done etc. Everyone's different through, and I totally get it that any full time bloggers are going to have a different perspective as a new lipstick and a glass of prosecco won't pay their rent!

    Gemma x | flutterandsparkle.com

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  4. I'm just getting into working with PR and so far every things has gone well, but this is great to know for the future.
    A Sparkle Of Grace

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  5. I haven't been to a TONNE of events, but when I do go it's usually for my own pleasure. I wouldn't go to an event if I feel I wouldn't get anything from it. I usually go to see the latest releases they're showing and get chatting to bloggers! This post is really useful to understand them a bit more!

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  6. I've been quite lucky with the PRs I've worked with so far. I do get inundated with emails asking me to work in return for just exposure which can be frustrating. Sometimes I feel like it's one step forwards, two steps back.

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  7. This is a really useful post, I definitely think it is a good idea to agree if a post is required beforehand.

    Kristy | www.thevioletblonde.com

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  8. Is great that you've been contacted and invited to PR stuff, I've never think of that way and you're right, thanks for this helpful post!

    Instagram | Blog

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  9. I only attend events that I am interested in rather than every single thing which hits my inbox, so whilst I get your point, I come at it from a different angle x

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  10. I don't have any PR experience so very interested to read your post x

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  11. I really enjoyed reading this post. I haven't actually been invited to any events or anything of that matter so it as interesting to hear about what could happen if I attend one.
    Charlotte / Charlotte's Picks

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  12. Very useful points! Agree with having everything agreed before x

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  13. Thanks for sharing! I agree with so many points here! I love so many things about being a blogger but as many scare me!

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  14. This was such a great post to read. I think so many bloggers get taken advantage of these days, and sometimes it can even come across as a bit of a joke if you ever ask if there is any budget available for a project. It shouldn't have to be like that because like you say, if it feels like work, you should be treated like an employee! x

    Mapped Out Blog | Beauty & Fashion

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  15. Agree if it feels like you are working then you should be paid - there's a huge difference from organically featuring a product and all but been asked to create an advert x

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  16. This is so useful! I'm just getting into the world of events, so this is super helpful!xx

    Hannah | luxuryblush

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  17. I've been to a few blogging events, most are in London so I can't go! x

    Heather | Of Beauty & Nothingness

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  18. I recently went to an event which was led by one company, and organised by another, on behalf of another! It was a workshop style event and I felt like I was back at school and being told off when I couldn't keep up. For weeks I have felt guilty for not writing a post, but after reading this I feel a lot better!

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  19. Loved this, totally agree with everything you've said. I've been invited to some really fab events but they're always in London mainly on week nights so I'm unable to attend.

    Alice | alicemaysnell

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  20. Very interesting post! As a full time blogger I certainly don't expect to get paid to go to an event. I make sure it fits in with my work schedule, look at it as a fab opportunity to learn more about the brand and make contacts then write up a post as a 'taster' of my work. We can't be expected to work for free but we do need to show our "CV" every now and then

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  21. I love going to events, but I see it more as networking opportunity and chance to learn about the brand. I never really thought about it, but you're right! If there are certain expectations that mean it will be more work than anything, it's something to discuss with the PR people maybe. I do think with most events, a lot goes into them though (or I've been lucky so far!). Great post and not something I've thought about before :)

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  22. Interesting and informative read! I barely started blogging a month ago and had some brands contact me to write for their blog and there was no mention of pay for the number of articles they asked me to produce weekly! It's nice to know and learn about these things before the situation presents itself.

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  23. I've never actually attended an event but I don't think brands should expect a whole post from it! xx

    Beautylymin

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  24. This is such a good post. I don't ever write up an event unless I've been specifically asked to - and of course it depends on the return. I haven't the time to work for free!! Haha

    Anoushka Loves xx

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  25. Fab post. I've been blogging nearly 8 years (yikes) so I've seen some very interesting things in my time! I never think going to an event warrants coverage or a post of what you got in the goody bag - although that's obviously what they want - I will usually try and include it in something if I can but I've never been chased up by a PR after an event regarding a post. x

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  26. These are great tips, I agree that we should be paid for our work fairly! I luckily have a really good relationship with PR companies!

    Cass | CassandraMyee

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  27. I'm totally in agreement with this! There's a current PR company that ostracised me because I told them I wasn't happy with them trying to force me into going to an event that I wanted even remotely interested in!

    It's amazing as a blogger to be doing what we do (6 year blogging veteran here) and I'm so grateful, but some of them make it so difficult for us!

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  28. Great advice! Thanks for sharing :)

    www.upyourvlog.com

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  29. Such a great post! I really enjoyed reading it!

    Georgia x
    www.georgiahathaway.co.uk

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