Is 'Cause Marketing' becoming the 'Stray Dog of the Internet' - something you have to stop feeding for free? #MotivationMonday

This is NOT a Sponsored Post.

Photo Credit: Steam Driven Media

Blogging seems to be the only industry I have ever worked in where people assume it's OK NOT to pay at all for the services they require or suggest that a barter of product suffices as payment. Social Good and 'Cause Marketing' are beginning to feel like that stray dog that you are warned never to feed under any circumstances.

And this is coming from someone with a Print (remember Newspapers? 'The Blogs on paper" that melted on your fingers when you read them) background as - get this - a 'Human Interest Reporter'. I went on to Television News writing and then did a brief stint for several Magazines before joining the 'Digital Influencer' side of the journalistic house.

My blog began in 2009 (I was actually Ghost Writing for a few brand blogs before then), and the first week we launched a simple empowerment post with an affirmation it got on the radar of a well known celeb - one whose roots began in Music and has become pretty much an empire - he re-tweeted that post. Simple enough right?

That simple 're-tweet' got picked up by his fellow celebs and was re-tweeted so often they temporarily broke our server.

Very much a blessing. One I was NOT prepared for. I got bombarded with un-solicited press releases and requests to 'run giveaways' and post what amounted to 'advertorials', with no compensation for me because the info was just so 'valuable' and 'informative' that my readers would LOVE it they assured. I scoffed. I have a strong communications background, a degree in mass media communications and these emails were nothing similar to the ones I received when I was in print or television. Not at all similar. I hid and was 'PR Free' for the first year of our launch. Those were the most blissful 365 days of my blogging career.

Then along came a household brand who had pitched me the whole time, invited me to events and really wanted a way to be presented to the community I worked very hard to build. I knew full well I needed to be careful in how I partnered with brands. It's why I avoided it for so very long.

This brand was persistent, they make products I actually use in my home daily and spent a year really reading my posts - most likely because I refused to snatch the dangling carrots.

They finally presented a charitable initiative. A very worthy one.and asked directly how we could partner.

Alas, my 'Good Heart' became both a blessing - and to an extent - a downfall. I enjoyed partnering with the brand. I certainly enjoyed helping them help a worthy cause. Doing good fits well with an Empowerment Blog that is run by a Life/Career Coach.

But don't cue the music and don't ride off into the sunset. Yet.

It opened up a flood gate of  'do me a favor' emails. A ton of 'why did you it for them and now won't do it for me?' questions that I face to this day.

I now have to tell them what I tell brands that pitch me other things:

When underwear brands pitch me about creating content or running a free giveaway in exchange for their underwear, I ask their reps pointedly 'Do YOU get paid in UNDERWEAR'? and when they reply 'No, of course not' I reply 'Why should I?' - Most have no answer. One agency rep forwarded my email to his entire agency with the subject - 'Who does this little bitch think she is?' I was 'accidentally' copied. Within minutes I tweeted the agency's owner and let them know I could post our email exchange and show their reps exactly who 'this little bitch' is. Needless to say they didn't want that to happen and I will never partner with their atrocious agency.

Sadly I now have to tell folks who pitch me 'Cause Marketing' something similar - I can't quite pay my bills with my 'good heart'. I can't give every cause free advertising just because it's a good cause. And the hard part is I have a background in Human Interest and Empowerment. That will always be 'my beat/my thing' but that does NOT mean I am REQUIRED to do anything for free.

It's an even bigger pet peeve of mine, when the rep will look at my site and tell me since you haven't posted for a day I thought you were in need of 'content'. I live in New York City where there are thousands of trade shows, theatres, art, and multiple events DAILY - I also Life Coach, run a Social Media Consultancy and mostly blog during 'Graveyard Hours', I will never lack content and at any given time - I average 14K in un-read emails on a 'good day'.

These lessons in Blogging and Cause Marketing have prompted me to take on ONE major pro bono cause per year and devote myself specifically and entirely to that cause, which I can opt to change the following year so that more Not-For-Profits can have a voice that are scrambling to get heard over the Social Media noise out there. I was raised by a very philanthropy driven family, and was taught that giving of time is as valuable if not more so than giving money, but the problem is - there is only finite amounts of time that one can afford to give away.

That means I have to turn others down and I refuse to allow myself to feel guilty for doing so. This is a business, I have always treated it that way. If you approach me like I am a 'hobbyist' - you are doing us BOTH a huge dis-service.

Call To Action/Soundoff:

Bloggers how do YOU approach Cause Marketing on YOUR Blogs? Readers, how do you feel about Bloggers 'feeding the stray dog'? Is it like any other 'advertorial' to you or does it make you truly explore the cause a bit more?

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FTC Disclosure:  This is NOT a compensated/sponsored Post, All opinions are 100% my own! I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Win a pair of tickets to @NYBG 's The Orchid Show: Chandeliers! + #Orchid Slideshow #Photography

Apparently Old Man Winter wants to  keep New York in his Vice Grip with snow here on the first day of Spring. This butterfly and Spring Baby (my birthday is coming up in April) yearns for signs of Spring and I found them at the NY Botanical Gardens!

They host an Orchid Show annually (in fact this is the 13th year!) and this year the show is called "The Orchid Show: Chandeliers". This year, it's all about looking UP, not just down or around, but it's this year's "Orchid Evenings" that combines Music, Cocktails and the sublime beauty of delicate orchids that are allowing visitors to make unique connections on themed 'adult only' evenings that allow for a romantic date night, or even a way for singles to connect and meet. Orchid Evenings are being held Saturdays, March 7, 14, 21, 28, and April 4 (My birthday!), 11 and 18th.

For $25 for Members and $35 per ticket for non-members, the ticket includes one complimentary beer, wine or cocktail of your choice and you will need to select an entrance time for The Orchid Show at time of purchase. Head to the show before your time and hit the gift shop or dine at The Pine Tree Cafe where you can enjoy a special event menu or just lounge to the sounds of The Nick Russo Latin Trio, and ladies don't miss your chance to stop for a quick lipstick touch-up by one of Guerlain's famed make-up artists and indulge in a specialty cocktail inspired by Guerlain's Orchidée impériale line. And for those of you who are Mastercard holders, please be sure to purchase your ticket with your Mastercard to enjoy a special champagne pre-party at Shop in the Garden on Select Nights. Note this VIP ticket is $40 and you can learn more about that ticket HERE.

The three tier living chandelier of orchids is absolutely breath-taking! And while it's still a bit chilly out here in the Big Apple, it's super warm and toasty in the Enid Haupt Conservatory at the Gardens!

And for those of you who visited us last week for Wordless Wednesday, that photo was a teaser, and yes that 'strange' hanging thing was an Orchid Plant!


ABOVE: My Photo slideshow of the show, I took ALL of these photos! (I am working on getting a Pinterest Board posted of all these photos as well, in the meantime each photo can be viewed individually on Flickr using the link on the bottom right of the slideshow.)

WIN IT: 

Ascending Butterfly and The New York Botanical Garden want to help melt away those winter blues and put some 'Spring' back in your step! Enter to win a pair of passes to Orchid Evenings at The Orchid Show: Chandeliers at New York Botanical Garden! Please note this is a Flash Giveaway and ends SOON! Use the rafflecopter widget below to place your entries! (If reading this put the widget to sleep you may need to refresh the page again to get the widget to show up for you so you can place your entries.) Remember Orchid Evenings are on Saturday Night's Only, and you must be 21 years of age or older to claim your passes as there are cocktails being served, this is an ADULT ONLY giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MY TAKE:

The New York Botanical Garden is one of my favorite 'Urban Oasis' places in Bronx, New York. Being there just adds instant zen to my day and as you can tell by my photo slideshow I really enjoyed the Orchid Show. The living Chandeliers of Orchid Flowers just blew me away!

There was a DJ, great flowers, fun Photo Opps, lippie makeovers from Guerlain and fantastic cocktails too! What more can you ask for?

Whether you are single and ready to mingle or lost in love, The Orchid Show has a little something for everyone!

What is your favorite flower?

(Remember you get extra credit in the giveaway for answering this question as a comment below!)

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a sponsored post, no monetary compensation has been received to post our recap of the show or host this giveaway, and all opinions are 100% my own!  We were provided access to show for editorial consideration. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

#ad: @officedepot & @Adopt_classroom are helping teachers and so can YOU! (+ win a #giftcard!) #TeachersChangeLives #CGC

My favorite teacher was my High School English Teacher, Mr. McKinnon, every semester I signed up for one of his classes, my favorite was his creative writing class. He strongly believed to become a better writer you need to read a lot of everything. And throughout High School he literally brought literature to life for me. His lessons went well beyond the classroom.

Below is a picture of me with my all time favorite teacher:

Sorry it's so blurry, this was pre-digital days and not a DSLR camera. By my last semester I had completed most of my required classes and took a service class with Mr. McKinnon so I spent a period each day helping my favorite teacher, but mostly picking his brain, he spent his summers and sabbatical in Hawaii and I was fascinated with all the great stories he told me about living out there. The day this picture was taken was Senior Year and the last day of school, and while I was all smiles I knew I'd miss Mr. K!

But he did give me lessons I took with me. That same year I went on to teach in my Church, I was pretty young and was assigned the Special Education class. I did have moments of doubt, wondering if I was up to the task. I had different ages, grade levels and had no idea how I'd get each student on the same page, but I remembered my favorite teacher and knew the only way I had a shot was by making learning fun.

Here is a photo of me and my class:

One of my students was actually taller than me, and he is seated in this picture! I think they probably saw me more as a big sister than a teacher. While teaching was one of my most rewarding jobs, after College I switched gears and with my Degree in Mass Media Communications in hand, I went from writing for Newspapers, to Local News on Television, and then oddly back to print again, working for several well known Magazines for a time.

The one thing I do remember is just how much teachers have to spend to operate their classrooms, and sadly these are expenses that are not reimbursed. Teachers just don't make enough money to have to constantly dip into their own pockets to supply their classroom's basic needs.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Teachers Spend Money Every Year out of their own pocket, especially in under-funded areas

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Adopt-A-Classroom is a nonprofit organization that helps connects donors with teachers

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom have partnered to raise awareness about teachers and all that they do in the lives of students.

Office Depot and Adopt-A-Classroom traveled the country to uncover stories of teachers going above and beyond. As I live in Bronx, New York I was stoked to find a teacher in my local community that is being highligted, Chris Emdin. He is a science educator who incorporates hip hop into classroom material to help students see science in a different way.  Here is a video of Mr. Emdin in action:




You can donate to Chris Emdin or any teacher in your community, and if you are a teacher you can also register your classroom, with these simple steps:

How to Register Your Classroom as a Teacher:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit the Teachers Change Lives Website
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Click on the red box that says "Register Your Classroom", this will take you to the Adopt-A-Classroom website and Follow the rest of the steps.

How to Donate to A Teacher:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit the Teachers Change Lives Website
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Click on the Teal Colored box that says "Donate to a Teacher" and Follow the rest of the steps.

Win a $500 Gift Card For You AND Your Favorite Teacher!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Visit the Teachers Change Lives Website
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Scroll down the page to the blue box that reads "Enter to win a $500 Gift Card For You And Your Favorite Teacher" - Fill in the First Name then Last Name and press "Get Started" - it's that easy! Enter to be one of five lucky winners! HURRY! The deadline to enter is May 4th! (also check out the 'give 5% back to your school (on select supply purchases)' initiative!

MY TAKE:

I've experienced the joy of learning from a great teacher, and in the short time I was a teacher I hope I was able to inspire my students, because they certainly inspired me. Teaching Special Education was difficult but rewarding, I learned how to sign so I could communicate with my deaf students.

I personally think Teachers are our biggest heroes and they don't get thanked nearly enough. I am going to enter, and if I am lucky enough to win, one of my local schools will definitely be getting the Office Depot Card inside a Thank You Card for all they do for our students every single day!

What teacher or classroom will you donate to if you are selected as a winner?


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FTC Disclosure: This is a Sponsored Post. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure. I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.