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As those of you who read my blog already know, I was invited to attend a Mom Blogger Mixer at Disney World. I am thrilled to be able to attend. However, something has me a bit rattled. There has been some bashing and criticizing of advertising firms in the blogosphere during the past week and I can’t bite my tongue any longer.
The much-respected Maria Bailey from BlueSuitMom and Mom Talk Radio, who extended this invite to Disney ended up taking a beating for something she was excited about; connecting some moms with each other and Disney. For those of you who are wondering what the heck I am talking about, the issue is that this event is being held over Passover. Here is her comment on the situation from Self-Made Mom’s blog:
You were absolutely right in your assumption that my apology was sincere and that this was an honest mistake. Blogs are a wonderful tool however they only allow you to know people to a certain degree. I assure you that anyone who knows me well will tell you that my passion is bringing companies together with moms. Unfortunately, I cannot do it as fast or at the level of perfection that I and others would like me to do it. (Four kids, husband, two dogs and a job) But I keep on trying with every scholarship request for moms to attend Blogher conventions, corporate request for events and introductions to advertisers. This Disney event was a test, one that now may not soon be duplicated. I thought I had done well by asking mom bloggers for their input on dates, agendas, goals and event planning. (I always follow Susan Getgood’s rules.) What started out as a small test gathering of a dozen mom bloggers has become a real mess. I again apologize for any mistakes made but will continue my passion for linking companies to moms who I believe are making a difference.
I saw this coming. This exciting event has been blown all out of proportion. Even Maria says, “This Disney event was a test, one that now may not soon be duplicated”. She shouldn’t have to feel that way. I wanted them to anticipate this event with positive feelings, just like me. I wanted them to be thrilled that they invited someone like me, who embraces these situations to bring excitement to others. I honestly don’t want to let all of this negativity get to me but it has. I don’t get opportunities like this very often. These people are bringing things my way that wouldn’t ordinarily happen; they are giving me a chance to shine.
Things in the blogosphere are blown WAY out of proportion. “I am woman, hear me ROAR!” Well, some roar loud enough to tend to ruin something special for others. “What started out as a small test gathering of a dozen mom bloggers has become a real mess.” That’s what Maria said in her comment. The dozen mom bloggers who are attending the Disney event want her to feel good about making this connection. I don’t want opportunities like this to go away. Call me selfish, I don’t care. I am a very passionate individual and blogging is an excellent way for me to make a positive difference and if you didn’t already know, introduce products to people.
I work with PR companies on a regular basis and they’ve been nothing but generous. They don’t have to reach out to us and if bloggers keep acting like they are holier-than-thou, all of these exciting experiences will go away. I have read blogs where marketing and advertising firms are given tips on how to approach bloggers (yes, I Google). If that doesn’t make bloggers sound like they are up on a pedestal, I don’t know what does. If we are up on pedestals, why aren’t we making the big bucks? I must have missed that memo.
I don’t often vent like this. It’s just that I have been so excited about this Disney trip and the Johnson’s Baby Camp trip which is ALSO a heated subject right now. It’s about time that those of us spoke up who are appreciative of what is handed to us. It seems like there is far more bitching and complaining going on than positivity and gratefulness.
J&J, BSM and Disney, thank you for hosting these events and asking me to experience them with you. You have all made big impressions on me and now it’s my turn to return the favor.
(And yes, I hope they are reading this – they deserve to know how I feel.)
Sometimes we need to take the advice we give our children and graciously share with others. Whether it be their toy, or their joy in a wonderful experience.
I know. I’ve read all the hullabaloo, and am ticked that people who are being given a free trip are causing such a fuss. The internet can really allow things to get blown out of proportion.Hey! Any Disney people that want to send me to Florida? I will go HAPPILY and not complain. I swear.
I had no idea there was any sort of hullabaloo. What a bummer. I’m SO excited about our trip!! And so very thankful for the generosity of those involved. I hope a few sour grapes don’t ruin this event for us or those who are providing it for us.
I’ve been in touch with BSM and they are still very excited about this event. I find it interesting that people who weren’t even invited have caused such a fuss.
Thank you for your post! I have to tell you that I spent the weekend very sad and well…literally sick to my stomach that I had accidentially offended people. I would never intentionally hurt someone’s feelings. Ironically, the women blogging about the Disney trip were not even invited to the Disney trip. Yep, that’s right-the negative comments are all coming from mom bloggers who I was unable to invite becaues of the small group. I hope that in the future we will be able to invite all the wonderful mom bloggers to Disney. I am very excited to meet in person some of the mom bloggers who share my passion in bringing companies and mom influencers together. See you soon and thanks again.Maria Bailey
I love this post! I think it’s honestly what a lot of mommy bloggers think also. And, I only wish I were going to Disney – but look forward to the J&J event.
Amen. This level of outreach isn’t a right and saying such isn’t diminishing the validity of moms who blog. I’m looking forward to New Jersey.
amazing that adults can still get so jealous, huh? as dana said, it is no one’s RIGHT to go on these trips. some people were invited, and some weren’t. pr companies aren’t made of money and don’t have enough to invite every single mom blogger out there. good lord…get over it! we’re grown-ups, right?
I also didn’t know that there was any hubbub. It is sad. I am very thrilled and pleased (and shaking with anticipation) to be a part of this type of event to see what it holds!
I am so incredibly appreciative of the opportunity I’ve been given to go to NJ next week and honored that I was selected. It couldn’t have come at a better time. As with most mothers, I rarely do anything for myself. It is so nice that I will be able to get away for a few days (even if our schedule is packed) and talk with other moms. And that fact that I won’t have a nursing baby with me means that I can kick back and have a glass of wine (or two) without guilt.
Thanks for posting! I actually had no clue all this was going on (I’ve kind of sort of had my head stuck in HTML mode for a few days now, getting my new site up)….interesting, as it always is, but predictable, too, don’t you think? ANY time Disney does ANYthing someone is offended! I’m sure they are beyond used to it by now. ;)
I am sorry to hear that this happened and I, like you, am thankful for an opportunity to network with some other moms and with the companies themselves. I try to stay out of the momma drama as much as possible. My life seemed filled with enough of it.We are thankful for the opportunities that we have been given through my site.Thanks again for posting this!
Wow. Someone pointed me to this post and I don’t even know where to start. First of all, make no mistake, you are a consumer and now an advertiser. Do not sell yourself short and be blinded by being contacted and given things for free. There is a reason. Second, understand the value of your blog and who you reach- it goes far beyond a free trip. Hundreds of thousands of women have turned off daytime television to read blogs and surf the internet. If they can’t reach you via tv-how are they getting you?Third, this is not a test by Maria. I attended an event put on by her, a paid consultant to Disney, in October of 2007. Transparency is key and while I wish all the companies and mothers well in their dealings, I suggest you check the transparency of all parties involved. One last thing…think about what a company might pay to advertise during General Hospital. Think about what they just paid to get you to talk about them. Enough is enough. They NEED us. If we’re not watching tv and we are online they have no choice but to come to us. Don’t sell your blog content for a trip. It’s worth much more.
I haven’t been involved in the Disney flap at all. But I have read all the posts by the women involved and YES, some of them most definitely WERE invited.And then uninvited.It wasn’t just about the Disney event being over Passover, as I’m sure Maria well knows. I’m sure she meant well. There’s no doubt in my mind that what happened with Passover was unintentional. But people got angry because of the excuses. No one said, “Gosh, I’m so sorry. We f’ed up. We can’t change it now, but we want you to know we DO care what you think. We’re sorry.” Two words – “I’m sorry.” If that had happened, instead of the excuses or defensive justifications, this wouldn’t have been an issue.I don’t make money off my blog. I could actually care less if I do. But, like Erin mentioned, the implication/threat that companies will go away if we don’t play nice disturbs me.My time is worth a lot of money. My *opinion* is worth a lot of money. People pay me for it every. single. day. Maybe the issue seems so crystal clear to me for that reason. Looking through your blog, I’m pretty sure companies would pay you for your opinion too. They need you.
While I totally agree we need to be paid what we are worth (as an MBA and marketing manager) it does remind me a bit of what happens in big corporations. By the the time you get to the level where you get to go to the sales conferences in Hawaii or offsites on a golf course, you hear a lot of “ugh another trip” because you’ve hardly seen your families. And I react the same way – suck it up, you get to go to Hawaii (or Tahoe, or Singapore, etc.) But I fully realize it is still work, just more fun in Hawaii.
I really wish I could better understand how things get so blown out of proportion. You gotta do what’s best for YOU.