The benefits of Videoconferencing Equipment

The benefits of Videoconferencing Equipment

Promoting others products

On my blog, I have the luxury of being able to promote new products every day. The fact that everything I promote is a free giveaway, makes my job even better. I am not getting any compensation for the giveaway, the prizes are handled directly from the supplier; in a sense I’m just the middle man.

However, the last thing I want is for my readers and subscribers to get the raw end of a deal. Having manufactures or businesses not follow through with their prize giveaway, not only makes the company look bad; but my blog suffers as well.

If my readers can’t trust that this is a legitimate giveaway, why would they return? Here are a few steps I personally take to ensure that the suppliers of these giveaway products, actually deliver on what they promise.

Demand to see a website or place of business

This is a very basic step, but whenever I am contacted by someone looking to do a giveaway on my site, I immediately ask for a web address and a place of business. I do not ask for a phone number at this time, because if it a legitimate business, their website should have a phone number to contact.

I find the number on this website, and call the number to ensure someone picks up. If it goes straight to voicemail, I call again at another time. I am looking for a real, live person to answer, at which point I ask to speak with the employee who contacted me in the first place.

Google Earth is also a fun little spy tool. I simply plug in the address, and let Google Earth take me to the office building or warehouse that was named as the place of business. I should warn you, if Google Earth has not updated the area, it could show a blank patch of land, so while this is a cool spy trick; I rely on the actual phone call a lot more.

Set up a video conference call

Speaking to someone on the phone, or sending an email is fine, but doing a video conference call allows you to put a face to a name. You can use various video conferencing equipment for this task, the main thing is to ensure you have quality software installed on your computer, with high speed internet.

Come to this video call with a list of questions to ask this employee. I usually sprinkle about 3 questions throughout my meeting on specific things on the business. For example I may say the wrong address, and see if he corrects me to the address I actually have written down.

Another thing I love to ask is who the president or CEO is of the company. I know it isn’t nice to play games with a client, but I have to do my due diligence when researching a potential product to promote on my blog.

Lastly, make sure you get a visual conformation of the actual product during this video call. You never want to deal with back ordered products, or “prototypes” that should be done by the end of the giveaway. Only deal with products in stock, the supplier should understand, and should have no problem delaying the giveaway a few weeks.

Trust your gut

While this does apply to the employee you are speaking to, I am more concerned about the type of products I will be promoting on my blog.  Sometimes I am asked to give away a new adult toy, or to actually review products myself. This is where a line needs to be drawn.

Every person has a different moral compass in them, and I am in no way trying to tell you what is right or wrong. I simply made the motto for my blog, “If my grandma wouldn’t buy it, then I’m not promoting it.”

This keeps my site clean and family friendly. It also gives the suppliers I am running current promotions with, the peace of mind that their products / company will not be associated with things of that nature.

Keeping the suppliers happy is an important aspect of my blog, but ensuring my subscribers are getting what they are promised, is critical to the success of my site.

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