It is no secret that food bloggers get invited for many food reviews on a regular basis. Restaurateurs and PR agencies recognise food blogging as the “new media” and are quite happy to invite bloggers on a regular basis in return for some publicity. No issues there as long as everyone plays fair as it is a win-win situation.
My question today is… when is it okay for food bloggers to ask for another “seat” (as in an invitation for their partner, date or friend) and when is it inappropriate. I am bringing this up because I realise so far my judgement and opinion on this matter varies from case to case… which is not good because it means I am judging based on my own set of principles as opposed to a standard set of principles which is applicable across the board. Confused? Don’t worry… I will highlight with some examples soon.
My personal view is that it is okay to ask but it is not cool to coerce or blackmail… but hey, that’s just my opinion. I know many who will are firm believers that one should NEVER ask for another invitation (as it gives food blogging a bad name). Personally… I think these examples are okay…
“Hey Marketing Manager Hot Babe, is it okay if I bring my partner along?”
or
“Hey PR Agency Babe, is this an invitation for me alone or are we allowed to bring partners?”
To me, this is merely clarification, so it is fine. Having said that, the following is NOT cool…
“Can’t I bring someone along? Oooh please… oooooh pretty pretty please…” Followed with the Puss in Boots face.
or
“Oh, if I can’t bring my partner… then I can’t come because I have no transport.”
or
“My girlfriend won’t let me go anywhere without her. So if you want me there, she has to join me.”
I reckon, that pushes the comfort levels a little… and I think it is wrong. Of course I have heard of many more shameless tactics but to be fair to the food bloggers, I don’t think everyone is aware of their actions. They probably do it because it is in their nature to talk like that.
The lines are really thin and grey and I personally am not sure when it is okay… and when it is not. Maybe it isn’t even an issue of “right or wrong”… maybe there is no “right or wrong”… rather a softer issue of whether you “should do that” or “shouldn’t do that”. I honestly don’t know and would like to hear what you all have to say about it.
So where do you draw the line when asking for another “seat”?
It is really interesting when you mention about invites for food reviews, I still remember during my early time many food bloggers reluctant to accept reviews invitation or free food, I guess time changed.
LOL.
Has anyone tried that on you Frat? (The big cute pleading puppy dog/ kitty cat eyes)….
Anyway,… I’m with LL on this – it’s not wrong to ask (it has to be worded very carefully tho) and without ill intentions!
I supposed one have to ask graciously and not to impose. You won’t want the agencies or host to be in a difficult position.
Agreed, Frat. Just to add and give another perspective, the agencies/restaurants/hosts who invite shouldn’t take it personally either if the bloggers decline politely – after all we all have our own work, personal schedules and prior commitments.
It’s alarming how some would take personal offense when a blogger actually says “No, thanks.” It’s not a rejection, guys – it’s really simply a “No, thanks.”
My dua sen.
If Lil Chef happens to be off on a day of food review, I always ask the person in charge, and offer to pay for his meal.If they say no, at the end of the day, it’s their decision and I respect that. Good topic!
TOTALLY agree. sometimes they invite two, sometimes one. doesn’t mean C&C are joined at the hip. also, it ain’t personal. you can’t win em all.
beg, plead or threaten is just lame man. who does that?!!
i think at the end of the day everyone seems to agree that you got to ask, and if they don’t give, dont ask further.
but for the fun side to this (i.e. lets get 60 comments on this) why not ask for another seat? i mean already we are giving free publicity which i think is rather value for money, how much can 1 extra person eat or drink anyways?
WAHAHAHA…
Generally one should not ask for another seat. For media (which is what food bloggers have become since the PR agencies consider them as “new media”), every food review or event is considered an assignment by the paper or magazine they report to. In other words, it’s work. It’s not a party or a social event. The lines are very clear. We should as a rule never bring our boyfriend/partner, friend or even family to work.
i agree with boolicious. she sets the golden standard. its true, if blogging is the new media, and bloggers are the journalists, then they should not ask for a seat.
Joe: Frat needs one HUGE picture with a double liner to get 60 comments lar. FBB tried it, but he got lost at brevity and went for longevity instead and failed in his mission.
Totally agree with Boo. Unless it’s bring-your-farder/marder/gerfren/boyfren/wife/hubs/son/dotter-to-work day..
The whole food invite and food review thing is a subjective topic itself. The best is to pay your own, no arguments, no conflicts and no need to post so many questions and answers.
Who are we to set rules to the community? To the PR? Is there even a transparent community?
I remain silent on this.
Some blogs work with partners, some don’t.
When I used to be active in food blogging, but Rachel didn’t participate on every of my food review session, though we work together on the blog.
If you want to grow Malaysia F&B industry, be fair and transparent and help the upcoming food bloggers. Expand and unite to one big community.
No point splashing the questions here, walk the talk.
There’s one blog once wanted to send 5 ppl for a food review. I joked with the organizer, why don’t u ask the whole family to come.
Very interesting discussion, and agree the guidelines are a little unclear. Ideally, everyone who attends such events should have an output / ROI. But even the print media often bring multiple people to press events – especially those events with fat goodie bags. Some have an entire entourage that not only include more than one reporter, but also marketing & sales people… pfft; and the output is one tiny story.
And, many PR people are willing to oblige because they use the number of seats as a measurement.
So (I’m not a food blogger or a blogger at all), maybe one suggestion could be to give the “guest” an active role – as a photographer (which print media bring separately as well), or get that person to create a video content.
my two cents
Oh… and when I say “guest”. I don’t mean mother/father/brother/sister…
I can’t agree about it being the same as media, it’s not work, we have no editors, we have no monthly salary – we owe no one anything.
And anyway as Ben rightly says, if you’re been in the PR line you know media are also prone to tumpang MAX especially when there are freebies involved.
I will always ask for +1 and most likely not go if I don’t get it
I think boo has got it right. I don’t bring Unka for reviews. If the food is good, we go together atr time & eat again. Else he writes a review too.Unless in the invite email it’s stated tht it’s cool fr me to bring a partner (whc in tis case, it’s obvious that it’s fine).
And working in the “media” line myself, I’m pretty peeved whn they ask fr an extra seat. Mine take is simple; one pax, one blog post.
And yup, some bloggers refused to come if they are not given an extra plc.
LOL.