Food blogger to brands: Why do you pass on free press from blogs?

At first, I was flattered—you like me! You care what I think! You’ll send me a whole case of gelato!)—now I’m more skeptical. I’m finding that the topics I’d organically write about are seldom the things someone wants to send my way.

Reading this, you may think my beef’s with the off-topic product offers, that I’m going to tell you I’m annoyed with those publicists who don’t notice our dietary restrictions and offer us pork, or who don’t read our “About” page and address me as Shannon. On the other hand, you may think I dislike the bloggers who accept these offers and how their posts feel disingenuous and inauthentic and bought. I’m not.

The truth is, I have no problem with product offers, nor with bloggers who take them (we do). I note, but don’t really care that much, when you, as a PR person, don’t call me by name. It’s OK with me if you don’t read my blog. It’s fine if you’re emailing me in a list of hundreds. I respect you for seeing the value in my platform, and I like that you’re trying to get the word out about your product. I especially like it when I tell you, like I always will, that I can’t guarantee to write about your company, but you’re welcome to send the products my way, and you do.