This is my last installment of "MommyBlogging Marketing Mondays." Thus far, I've highlighted three methods that work, and one that does not.

MommyBlogging Marketing That Works:
- Ripples from the Johnson's Camp Baby experience
- BlogHer Swag Winners
- Continued relationships with companies for which I've done reviews

And then last week I talked about MommyBlogging Marketing When it Doesn't Work: "Be Organized."

Here are a couple examples where I thought the fit was right for products, but the company themselves didn't think so, even though they had been soliciting blogger opinion:

Know your Audience / Trust the Blogger: Case One

I received the name of a PR person with whom several bloggers had received excellent products. Apparently she wanted to send out more products to interested individuals, so had asked for her name to be distributed amongst some blogger outreach lists.

When I wrote to her, I included the tidbit about how the Cat happens to have a pdd-nos diagnosis just in case some of the products she wanted to publicize might have use for that particular niche. I made it clear (I thought) that I have a neurotypical younger son, and that my pdd-nos son is very bright and capable.

Her response was that she didn't have any products for those on the spectrum, except play-doh has been recommended for kids with disabilities.

Um. Sigh. I hate play-doh for many reasons. Sure, it has the potential for creativity. And it is a sensory activity for those who enjoy play-doh, but it wasn't the type of product I was hoping for. (And let's get real: kids eat play-doh. This is not a good thing for kids who already have sensitivities - not that my kids eat The Doh at this age, though.)

So I wrote back to clarify that I didn't have to review products for kids on the spectrum, and that both my kids are smart and fully capable of playing with "regular" toys. But... there is nothing for me, apparently. (Why would she specifically solicit more mommybloggers if she didn't have products?) I know my sons. I know my "autistic" son is much, much more capable than people assume when they hear "autism."

In this case, the mistake is mine: I thought I was potentially giving useful information, but instead I gave limiting information.

Know your Audience / Trust the Blogger: Case Two

For those of you at the BlogHer Conference -- you recall what happened with that one company [which I won't name for the publicity, but they make cell phone headsets] who wouldn't give out their swag unless you waited in line, pushed and shoved, and finally got a "personal connection" - the first day they ran out of merchandise. They said they wouldn't return. Nonetheless, I got there early "just in case." They did return later, and I wasn't around.

I sent them a nice email, stating how I was very interested in their product, especially since California's hands-free law had just gone into effect. I explained that my old bluetooth headset had broken, and so I was in the market for a new one. I knew I had a story to tell, and would be a good reviewer for the product. I requested more information about the product and asked to be considered for future reviews (when the product had come out of beta) if they were no longer allowing free samples at this time.

They didn't bother to email me back.

Sure, it was an expensive product. They probably didn't anticipate having to give so many away. But here I was, making my own personal connection, saying I was a good person to promote their product. Even if they wanted to decline, they should have done me the courtesy of emailing me back. They could have politely explained that they don't want to give away more of their expensive product. I understand. They could have given me more information about the product or given me a discount code for when it was available to the public. They could have acknowledged my email.

So flip that around: if I am a company reaching out to a blogger, I'd like some sort of response. And so typically I do respond to product pitch, unless it is obviously a mass-mailed type thing that doesn't use my name or misses the boat completely. But if it is a nice email that shows the person has read my blog - I'll respond, even if the product isn't a good fit for me.

In this case, the company clearly underestimated demand for their product, BlogHer attendance, or both. But even so, they should have responded to my email out of courtesy and to keep me interested in their product.

I understand I may not be a match even though I think I am -- but in the case of the first, please respect that I know my son's abilities (or specifically tell me "I've given away enough of the 'regular' toys but will keep you in mind for future promotions") and in the second, please acknowledge my communication at the very least.