There’s one word that I think us bloggers should use more and that’s ‘no’. It seems that lots of us seem a little too grateful for every opportunity that comes our way, whether it’s a good opportunity or not and whether it’s a good fit for our blog or not. Someone has asked us to collaborate and often we feel compelled to say ‘yes’. It never feels good to disappoint people and we all love to be helpful. So even when we should say no, often we say yes.
Saying ‘no’ isn’t a negative thing, in fact it can be just the opposite, it can leave you open to receive other ‘better fitting’ opportunities. Just because we physical can do something, doesn’t mean we should.
The simple fact is that your blog will actually stop growing if you’re afraid of saying no. That might sound a bit odd, but if you fill your time up with projects and collaborations that you don’t really want to do, these things will take you time and your energy. Resulting in you having nothing left to grow your blog, collaborate on the projects you do want to do and move your blog forward.
Saying no might feel awkward, but it will stop you drowning under a workload of things you aren’t really going to benefit from.
- Brands that are the wrong fit
Being your own boss, means that you can pick and choose who you work with. Yes, we could all say we need the money from such potential collaborations, but working with someone you don’t get along with is going to make you dread your work. I’m pretty sure that’s not why you started working for yourself. So my advice? Go with your gut instinct; do you think you will be able to work happily with this person?
- Helping people
This is so difficult. I adore helping other people and would never want people to be apprehensive about asking for help. However, sometimes we can fall into patterns of behaviour and accepted norms where people come to you for help before trying to help themselves, which can be a little frustrating. In order for others to value your time, YOU need to value your own time.
- Anything else your not jumping at with a yes
Saying ‘no’ needs to flow over into you non-work life too. Are you over-run with invitations and commitments? Well, it’s time to say ‘no’ at home too, reclaim some of that time to enjoy and relax your home-life. Don’t waste hours at a party you don’t want to go to, just say no.
Remember;
- It’s not personal. It’s just business. Does the collaboration you are being offered light your fire? Do you really want to review that item? Answer these questions before you agree.
- You know what’s best for your blog. If you don’t think something is a good fit for you and your blog, recommend another blogger who may be interested. The PR will thank you and the other blogger will be glad of the opportunity.
- You need to protect your time. No-one will do this for you. Consider the last review you were offered, did you really want the product. When you add up the time it took to review the item, take the photos, write up the post, proof read it; was it worth it? Remember you only have a limited amount of energy, use that time wisely.
- Value your values. If you say yes to most things you are offered, you can be compromising you blog and your brand. Choose quality over quantity, so you have the space to produce the best possible content for the brands you work with.
- Don’t overcommit. Too many commitments can lead to you dropping the ball and producing content that you are not 100% pleased with. Being more selective can give you more time to create the best content you can, which reflects your professionalism.
It’s worth stating that saying no doesn’t have to be rude. If you decline an opportunity explain why and offer recommendations of other suitable bloggers. Saying no doesn’t mean the PR/brand won’t want to work with you again, if you handle it correctly they will remember you for being honest and helpful.
Do you say no to opportunities for your blog? What has been your biggest struggle when it comes to saying no?
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Comments 41
Great advice huni. I have recently started to say no more, as I was started to drown a bit and also saying yes to things that actually I wasn’t fussed about xx
Great advice Aby. I do say no but should probably say it more. Occasions when I’ve said no include when it’s going to cost me a lot of money to do a review. Train tickets and petrol all add up. Then there are the offers that are a terrible fit for my blog, which are much easier to say no to. I’ve definitely got more of an idea about the things I want to do and those that I don’t in the past six months. Sometimes you have to give things a go, but learn the lessons from it!
This is great advice – I have only said no to a couple of things so far and it was because I just didn’t feel it was something I would ordinarily write about. I need to remind myself to do it more though and as you say to value your time and what’s going into your blog xx
Thank you Aby for your lovley advice! It is really hard to say no sometimes especially when you think that you can really help then just end up taking more on than you should. I’ve been able to say no once or twice but need a little practice saying no more haha.. I will take some lessons from Meghan Trainor 🙂 I love that song!
A great post, Aby. Since I’m still fairly new to this monetising thing I am struggling a little with whether or not to take part in certain opportunities. It seems many brands expect reviews of very low value items without offering any monetary value.
If there is no budget, I’ve begun saying no, unless it’s an item that I’m extremely interested in trying out or a valuable item of course, but it seems many brands are surprised by this and can’t understand why you won’t work for free. But on the other hand I’ve been lucky enough to work with a couple of brands now who are willing to pay. There seems to be HUGE inconsistency when it comes to paying bloggers for their time and, for a relative newbie, I find it really confusing and bewildering x
I said yes to a lot of things for a very long time and it’s only over the last year that I’ve started saying no. But some of those low value reviews that I agreed to at the start are some of my most read posts – with a lot of hits every single day. So I’m glad I said yes so much but now I love being more selective. Great post Aby x
I was nodding as I read this, I have started doing it more lately and feel a lot happier for it. There is nothing worse than writing a post you don’t feel a passion for because you have to because you agreed to do it. I’m being a lot more selective now and finding I have more time for my family and for me too.
Fab post, Stevie x
I have yet to have the chance to say no lol!
I seem to be getting a lot of requests to post content on my blog. iPod.itely decline saying I write my own content. I find it upsetting when PRs offer opportunities then withdraw when they realise I am based in Holland. It is so obvious they haven’t even looked at my blog! #thelist
You are so right. When I started and got approached by some people / companies, it was very flattering to see that they had an interest in my blog but I managed to say no as I didn’t feel it was for me. #TheList
I’ve started getting quite picky and was wondering whether I was being TOO fussy! But the fact is, I do have limited time available. So I’m absolutely feeling empowered to say no to rubbish ‘opps’! People will take advantage if we allow them, or respect us if we command it. It’s our choice!
#TheList
I think I can be a bit the opposite and say no too much! But then I’m still in the very early stages so the opportunities I’m getting are not necessarily the most exciting! But then it does leave me more time to create the content that I really want, so it feels right to take that approach at this stage. #TheList
Great advice. While my blog is my hobby and not my business, I’m often asked to write or review products and I’m confident in saying no because it doesn’t fit what I’m about. #thelist
I completely agree, I turn down over 90% of the PR requests I get because they don’t fit within my vision of my blog #TheList
I agree – theres nothing worse than reading a blog where the review or PR collaboration is being shoehorned in and doesn’t fit with their usual style/clearly not a product they would actually use #thelist
I get approached by a lot of companies lately who basically asked to post something for free. A year ago I would have accepted this because I will still building up my blog. But not I learnt to say no. I am still not where I want to be but it’s wasting my time really to work for free. Nobody works for free.
Such a great post! I really love this. Such great advice and definitely something that I am getting better at. I have the tendancy to procrastinate and sit on something that I think I should say no to, or doesnt feel right. I eventually get there, but I could be better at getting there quicker! On the whole though, I think this is an area that I am actually doing ok at, lots of the things that you have included in your post resonate and ring true for me 🙂 Emily #TheList
Some great tips, as always 🙂 #thelist xxx
Great advice. You are so knowledgeable and have a great way of putting things. I love reading all of your tips. Thank you! #thelist
I’m very very new to blogging so haven’t had a chance to put anything into practise yet, but I loved reading your post and it has definitely given me a heads up for the future! #thelist
Great Post! I have been struggling with this. This week I said no to 3 opportunities and thought great I just blew my blogs potential. I have said yes to a company that was very persistent and now i am struggling to write a deserving post for the product.
Some great advice Aby. I need to start saying no more, I have a few times and always feel guilty but I don’t want to jeopardise my blogs integritiy by writing about stuff that isn’t relative to my blog at all. It has been hard turning turn some opportunities, especially those that have come when I could really do with the money!xx #TheList
Cheers Aby; wish I actually had a few more things to actually say ‘no’ to…but have had a giggle at a few offers that have come my way. As always, great advice. #TheList
Great advice – I’ve always been rubbish at saying no, wanting to please everyone all of the time. I have started to be a bit better though and say no to things that just don’t suit my blog. I still need to improve though so I don’t have a list of reviews to write!!! #TheList
I agree that protecting your time is so important. Some good advice here. #thelist
Saying no is good advice, now to follow it lol.
Really great tips lovely. As a new blogger I said yes to everything and have just recently started to say no. The readers I already have may not be interested in a few things I’ve been offered and like you said time is valuable, we’ll never get it back xxx
It is so important to value your time and your blog. I recently turned down an opportunity as it would take time and actually the return was nothing – it was a nice opportunity but with limited scope, I felt so much better for saying no!
I said no for the first time this year and have turned down several things since that weren’t a good fit for my blog and wouldn’t have had any real benefit. It felt quite empowering! #thelist
Saying no can be so tough, especially when you don’t get many opportunities, you never know when the next is going to come. Good advice though x
Great advice Aby and something we all really need to keep in mind p.I’ve just started working with companies and I’m finding the whole process quite interesting. I need to protect my writing and my blog and my readers from incorrect opportunities tho do saying no is paramount yo keeling my integrity #thelist
I struggle with this as a new blogger I feel like I cant say no as I need to build up some contacts with the PR agencies – but maybe I do need to start being a little more selective. #thelist
Great advice Aby, we’ve said no a couple of time to opportunities that don’t fit our blog and niche. It’s refreshing and I think a lot of brands also respect you for it in the long run xx #TheList
I’m very new to monetising my blog, so I don’t have a great deal of experience when it comes to blogging opportunities, but I know I certainly don’t say ‘no’ enough when it comes to non-work related things, so all of this is really helpful! #TheList
Great advice. Currently my blog is my hobby…so I would be reluctant to start filling it up with sponsored posts or reviews unless it was something I really wanted to feature on my blog. I think you’re absolutely right to say pro-bloggers need to use their time wisely. #TheList
I couldn’t agree more with this! I used to say yes all the time in the beginning, but soon learnt that I actually prefer to write a post I’m passionate about and not earn anything, than write about stuff that doesn’t fit my blog or is too low value. You do have to stick to your guns and think about the worth of everything – especially when parenting bloggers are so short on time anyhow. xx #TheList
Fantastic advice, if a little scary to take! I am a new blogger, so people aren’t exactly beating my door down to work with me at the moment, however I did politely decline something which wasn’t a good fit at all, and the PR came back to me with a much more appropriate opportunity. So it does work! #TheList
Yes, very good advice – and in life as well as blogging! #thelist
Sad but true I said no for the first time this week. It took me a couple of days to think about it, but as soon as I did I felt a lot better. It just didn’t fit and I felt as though I was selling my soul a little. It’s easy to get caught up in a never ending list of marketing stunts. That’s not why I started writing and I needed to remind myself. Thank you for hosting #TheList xx
I have had to say no to a few events lately because I got diagnosed with ME and spend this week in my pjs off work to rest (aka eat biscuits and move to self hosted-that’s resting right?) I think this is such a good post as Its good to balance the this is how to get interest with the tips to politely say no and reasons why. Being so new to blogging I was so humbled that people were approaching me I was agreeing to everything which was not the best choice for my blog..as you say you can decline and still build great relationships with PR’s #The list xx
Thank you so much! As a mommy blogger and busy mom, this will give me lots of ideas! 🙂