I don’t blog for money, I do it for the craic and it’s a way for me to expand on 140 characters sometimes. However, as a blogger we’re sometimes asked to review products, attend events or try things out with our kids with the hope that we’ll blog about it. It’s a great way for companies to advertise and we get to try out a lot of cool things that we may otherwise not get to.
In this case, I was sent a recipe and asked to do some baking with my daughter. This isn’t the first time I’ve been asked to don an apron and get into the kitchen. I normally don’t mind because I don’t bake enough with Madame and this makes me get in the kitchen and it’s usually fun. The last time I was asked to review a recipe, I was sent everything I’d need.
This time I was sent a recipe, that calls for 7 ingredients and they only sent one of the ingredients with a retail value of 98p. Yup, you heard me right….a whopping 98p. However, the recipe calls for self-raising flour, honey, sultanas, butter, salt and milk. I have a couple of these things in the house but would have to go out and buy the rest. It wouldn’t break the bank but can’t help thinking this is incredibly cheeky. Plus, it will take me about an hour to make it, clean up the mess afterwards and don’t forget the time to write up the review. Sorry, but my time is worth more than a quid.
This isn’t the first time this has happened, I’ve been sent toys where the batteries needed, cost more than the toy itself, asked to travel at my own expense and blatantly asked to do things out of the goodness of my heart which doesn’t include charities or companies that I’m passionate about.
I wouldn’t go so far as to name the PR company, as it would be unprofessional and this particular one isn’t unique in this practice, but I think it’s time that PRs/Companies stop insulting us by asking us to work for nothing.
Heck, I managed to get a £xxx coat off my hubby and it took a lot less time, effort and at least I got a bit of foreplay before being screwed! ;-)