It can be overwhelming and exciting to get so much free stuff.
BlogHer didn't used to be such a swaggy experience, but it has certainly morphed into a legitimate place for companies to distribute information about their products. In some cases, it is simply a brochure; in other cases, it can be something huge like a pair of slimming designer jeans, an expensive curling iron and flat-iron, or a Powermat. (All three of these were at the fabulous Getting Gorgeous event.)
I'm not going to debate the whole whore-i-ness that can accompany an experience like this other than to say that I started out as a blogger first, and a reviewer second. I decline "swag" that I know will not fit me or my audience, unless it is something that I know will benefit someone else, such as diapers (I received one this year from PlaySkool) or infant clothing (I received a sleep sack from the Mom Central suite.) I have a favorite family shelter who will happily pass on such items, including the formula I received from Similac a few weeks ago, to families who need them.
It is unrealistic that I can review all the products that I received from this year's event. Just as in years past, the effects from "swag" tend ripple rather than gush. While I might not immediately mention a product here, I may several months down the line. Plus, my purchasing habits may change based on the products I see, or the brands with which I interact. Finally, people in real life learn and see about the things that I use on a regular basis.
For example, I mentioned Extra Dessert Delights' "mint chocolate chip" sugarfree gum in a tweet, not because I was trying to advertise it per se, but because it was an honest reaction. I wrote: "Wine and chocolate-mint gum don't mix, in case you were wondering. (But OMG, those Extra Dessert Delights gums are SO GOOD!)"
Because I also updated my Facebook status as such, I got a bunch of friends asking me where I possibly could have gotten chocolate-mint gum. I was able to then say that not only did I adore the mint chocolate chip gum from Extra, but that I also really dig the Key Lime Pie flavor. While my Twitter followers are primarily other bloggers who probably also experienced Extra Dessert Delights, many of my Facebook friends were not aware of the product, and are now counting the days until October when the gum will hit the market!
I reflected on the use of swag two years ago in my Marketing to MommyBloggers mini-series. And, during the next few weeks (or months) I'll blog about some specific products that I became aware of through BlogHer and its associated parties, suites, and events. In fact I've created this snazzy "BlogHer Swag" category expressly for this purpose.
As an update to that initial brainstorm on "MommyBlogger Marketing," I've maintained a connection to Johnson & Johnson and am pleased that I will be reviewing their Johnson's Natural line shortly - a series of products that I'd like to think I had at least a small part in encouraging during Camp Baby. I've continued to use other products that had shown up in various favor bags, and certain brands "stick" in my head because I experienced their products amongst friends at blogging events.
(Note: "mommybloggers" are but a segment of the BlogHer/female-blogger population. My use of the term "mommyblogger marketing" here is because my initial series was specifically about things like Camp Baby that were intended to be geared towards moms.)
And then on the downside, I've experienced more brands that somehow don't understand who women are, or who bloggers are. For example, one PR rep was for a location-specific service. He was shocked that the majority of BlogHer attendees were not actually living in NYC. And then another PR person was a male trying to tout a babysitting game - and it was clear that he was uncomfortable doing something so "female." The irony is that probably my son would have loved the game, but since the PR rep kept talking about "little girls" and making it appear that this game was just a cutesy past-time for ugh, females, sigh, I didn't stick around long enough to negotiate a review copy.
Then there are my own insecurities. An otherwise lovely woman from Kmart Fashions was really eager to talk to those beautiful size-0/2 gals who floated by her table, but I felt pretty invisible despite my (apparently really large) size-8/10 girth, so it took a lot of patience to finally get an opportunity to get the product information. And then there is the Activion guy who was basically held hostage by another blogger. I love my Activion, but had some questions about the new design. But, this other blogger just kept talking and talking, and the guy didn't value my time enough to interrupt her to briefly acknowledge me. Finally - and probably most humorously - I approached a woman standing by a Target display at Getting Gorgeous, stuck out my hand, and said, "I'm Kari!" in my brightest, happy voice. The lady looked tired, "I'm Liz Lange," she said as she accepted my handshake.
Eep. Liz Lange?
Of course I recognized her then, but couldn't help laughing a little bit. Thankfully a group of women took that moment to flood her with requests for photos. Likewise, I enjoyed a performance from Gavin McGraw during the Schick "Kiss and Tell" Party. (Yup, I'll review their razor once my current one poops out. I'm super-psyched, actually.) But, it wasn't until he started to sing that I realized who Gavin McGraw actually is. Sure, celebrity encounters are fun, but at least for these two ones, it ended up being more fun without the anticipation, I think. (Or, I guess I am so out of touch that I cannot recognize celebrities these days. Whatev.)
Like those copious food samples in discount stores, the BlogHer Expo Hall had plenty of food products I might otherwise not have considered. I loved trying Butterfingers Snackrz, but didn't do so well on their request to describe their product in three words. I wrote "Crispy. Smooth...." and then something else that I don't remember. A better tagline would have been "Contradiction: Crispy + Smooth." And Terra Chips really got me with their new curry chips, which they presented in tiny plastic martini glasses - yum! My son is very happy with his new Jimmy Dean alarm clock, and I was really happy with their D-Lights Turkey Sausage Muffin. Then over at the SocialLuxe Lounge Party, I partook in plenty of Ghirardelli's LUXE chocolate. Of course I brought some home to my sweets-loving family as well, especially since I know Ghirardelli is all-natural, preservative free. Also at SocialLuxe, I learned that Frito Lay products are a lot healthier - containing far less salt - than one might imagine. I also learned that their plant is nearby, so perhaps I'll get the opportunity to learn more first-hand.
Before I launch into product-specific posts, I have one other general observation about the BlogHer Swag this year - many of the coupons expire(d) either at the end of August (quick, but at least a little reasonable) or within a week of the conference end. I understand wanting to get people to act quickly, but I was disappointed to discover plenty of offers that have already expired. I shipped a package home, and it didn't arrive until August 19th, which was too late to take advantage of the August 15th expiration dates. Some coupons or offers actually expired less than a week after the conference ended. One expired two days after I returned home! Unfortunately, an offer to provide a free pack of Extra Desserts Delight gum is no longer valid (I'm assuming they ran out of product) even though the expiration date is printed as August 31st.
People are tired after BlogHer. They might take a week or two to recover before going through all the product literature and deciding which products they want to learn more about. I wish there was more leniency in allowing us to process the information before shutting down the opportunity. I certainly understand the flip-side, that they want instant "buzz" and are actually hoping that most people don't request product or a discount because it costs them less. But if the time frame is too short, then it creates a negative association with the brand, rather than potential customers believing the company to be generous.
That said, I'll roll out my impressions as I have the chance to actually use the product. I want to express honest opinions, not just a post done for the sake of trying to obtain more free stuff. (Some brands said "Post by 8/15 and receive X!") I have definitely been impressed with what I've tried, and since I've "edited" my choices a bit this year, I have a smaller mound of stuff to go through!
--
Disclaimer: By definition, "BlogHer Swag" includes items that I received for free during my time in NYC while attending the BlogHer conference and its associated parties and suites. Some of the parties/suites were not specifically endorsed by BlogHer; however, the brands created the events knowing many bloggers would be in the area. Many of these items were provided with the hope a blogger would post about a product, but not necessarily an expectation that all bloggers would do so. I have not received any monetary offers to post about these products, nor will I expect to. Some companies have incentives if a blogger posts about a product before a certain date - in the event that I do a post in this category, I will disclose it. The products that I choose to post about will be those that stood out to me in some way.
