The first two "Marketing Monday" mini-series entries dealt with swag: the Johnson's Camp Baby experience and the BlogHer Conference.

Today I'd like to point out two situations where participation in an initial product review helped me think of those companies when I needed different products. There are plenty of examples of products that I review where I continue to buy that exact product, like CleanWell. But these are examples where I used the company for another purpose.

Mattress Pads to Kids' Shoes:

I reviewed the Lands' End Pure Loft Mattress Topper at the start of the summer (via a contact I met at Camp Baby - see, another Camp Baby ripple!) At BlogHer (yes, another BlogHer ripple!) I received a $10 Lands' End gift certificate. I had a positive relationship with the Lands' End people earlier with my review, and since I had their catalog, it was a natural place to go back-to-school shopping, especially with that $10 off. I bought both boys some excellent zipper-down sneakers.

Now, I know there are plenty of folks out here who cry "But kids need to learn how to lace their shoes!" But laces come untied. And the Cat has lace-up shoes for soccer, anyway. Velcro is loud and attracts bits of yuck. Those springy-lace versions kind-of work, but with lots of use the elastic becomes limper, and so the shoe can slip off. (Meanwhile, at the start the laces are too tight, so require lots of maneuvering.)

These "Weatherly" shoes are amazing. The kids love them because they are comfortable and very easy to get on and off. I love them because they are sturdy and appropriate for outside play and "Club Fit" at school. They have a velvety outside texture that looks attractive, and they are surprisingly durable: I must admit first shock when Splig came home with his completely drenched from a day of preschool water fights (why didn't he wear his crocs?) and then surprise when the shoes dried out with no apparent ill-effects.

Beach Bags and Model Contests to Stylin' Pirate Footwear

Also during the summer, I promoted a Company Kids' Model Contest. As a thank-you for promoting the contest, Company Kids sent me an excellent care package.

Splig loves his pink skull & crossbones towel and ladybug lunchbox. I love the beach tote we received (alas, not available in this autumn season, so I cannot link,) and have used it quite frequently since receipt. (It is waterproof inside - waterproof!) They also included a catalog, which I skimmed through.

Enter Halloween-costume time. This Friday, the Cat will trick-or-treat as "King Boo" from Mario Kart. Splig will be a pirate. Although I gathered most of his costume together, he kept asking for "pirate boots." Aha! I remembered Company Kids' skull rain boots, and we're all set.

So there you have it: I've blogged about Lands' End and Company Kids before; and have continued to spend my money at both places.

In other words, even if you don't think a particular blogger has a wide enough audience to have a lot of "blog buzz," their own spending habits might be impacted by participating in a product review or giveaway. And of course, their "in real life" friends and family end up seeing them using these products. My loyal readers read my reviews - and they have their own ripples if they try and like the products.

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Up Next Week: Blogger Outreach that didn't quite work.