Do you give up when you hear "No"?

BACKGROUND
You may know me from NewBaby.com where I am in charge of Marketing Initiatives and Community Development. I am also working on the launch of MomTV in addition to recruiting moms who video blog (vlog) to join NewBaby.com and share their content.

NewBaby.com has been around for about 4 years now and is the largest video blog destination site for parenting out there. NewBaby.com has a Mom Vlogger program where we have purchased 100+ FLIP video cameras to give to Mom Bloggers who want to add video to their blogging.

We try to make it a Win - Win for our Mom Vloggers with the added exposure from NewBaby.com... and then there is the budget dollars to buy more video cameras. We don't just give the camera's out without a commitment from our Mom blogger partner - as it is important to justify this program with content that is uploaded to our site.

For the most part - the Mom's who have received the FLIP video camera from us have become active contributors for which we are excited and grateful for. However, NewBaby.com has footed the bill for these 100 FLIP video cameras that the Mom's tweet and talk about... which is fine but FLIP has gotten lots of FREE PR from this.

Bottom line...

FLIP doesn't give back. As much exposure as they get from NewBaby.com and Mom Bloggers who get these FLIP cameras - they have not given back.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HEAR NO?
You cannot imagine how shocked I was when I sent in a request of how great our program was going, what awesome Mom Bloggers were doing and how they were getting FREE advertising... and they requested more info. Like how will it benefit them etc... 5 questions.

I spent an hour on a response - articulating the value to their brand, pointing out that Mom's like the WiiMom / CoolMomGuide, Julie, Stephanie from Adventures In Babywearing, Amanda from OhAmanda, and other mom's were getting FLIP video cameras for video blogging, we were supplying cameras for twitter parties and Mom's were talking about the FLIP video camera in their video's.... and then I went into page views and tweets quantifying these views and the value to them from WOM marketing etc.... I was so sure the response would be favorable, that I was in disbelief when I went back into my inbox and found....

A response back in under 60 seconds!

Can you imagine?? It was very frustrating to know that if they truly read what was written, gone to the videos and blogs of these Moms who use FLIP video cameras from NewBaby.com they would have had to take at least 10 minutes to see the value and then make a decision...

60 seconds. How's that for a quick response and "sorry" we can't help you with your program........

Okay - so one door closes... (slam) and another one opens. I did some Google searches, used my trusty www.jigsaw.com account and found some execs at Creative Labs - where the competitive product to the FLIP -the VADO pocket video camera comes from.

I sent my email - detailing what we were doing with Mom Bloggers, how much exposure FLIP was getting and how we wanted to find a partner who wanted to help Mom Bloggers add video with NewBaby.com.... someone who knew the value of Mom Bloggers!

Even though it was late - it was worth it. I received a response from an exec who was very excited about what we were doing and wanted to help support our program - by sending us 150 PINK VADO video cameras.

I don't know about you - but that buys a LOT of loyalty from NewBaby.com and hopefully from the Mom Blogger community.

OH and the Creative Lab Vado Camera is the OFFICIAL VIDEO CAMERA OF NEWBABY.COM.... Thanks Creative Labs!

Now we have the tough job of shipping these awesome cameras out to you Mommy Bloggers!

If you are ready to add video and can commit to uploading video to NewBaby as a regular contributor - please email me at stephanie@newbaby.com or on Twitter @VideoBlogDiva.

Just remember - NO is not the end... just the beginning. It fired me up and for the better - love this new camera.... and you will too!!

Mom2.0Summit Tips: Video is Key! If you are a mom who blogs, you need to add video to your media mix

Wish I was there in Houston at the Mom2.0 Summit with all those Fab Moms but glad I'm here...There's so much work to get done for our upcoming launch of MomTV - that I just can't go away and keep up. That's the trouble with being a WAHM I guess.

One really exciting thing to see that on Day 1 - Lisa Stone of Blogher said that Mom Bloggers needed to be adding video with their blogging - vlogging.

We already knew that at NewBaby.com, we've been helping take moms who blog to moms who vlog for a few years now. We have over 100 moms contributing to our site already and hope to have 150 more added by June.

The best reason for this is your community- those who follow you and see your blog will get to really see you and connect. Just like those marketing companies who want to connect with bloggers for product reviews and promotions, your personality shines on video and they stick - we call it being "sticky" in marketing terms.

NewBaby.com gives you the ability to create special playlists for your personal video, your product reviews, your general vlogs and have that player on your site (multiple ones) so visitors and pick a "channel" and watch all videos in one place by having it in your sidebar.

The GoToMom, Kimberley Blaine, is an awesome example of how to share the video blogs you create: http://thegotomom.com/videos.htm. Customize the widget and place it on your page. It doesn't have to have it's own page - you can put it whereever you want.

Here is another example of one of our new vloggers - Sandy from OrganizewithSandy - this is her first vlog - she was a bit nervous but look at the comments, her visitors were very supportive and encouraging. Once you get past the first one... the rest are easy.

We'll be having a how-to webinar series for moms who want to vlog in a few weeks... stay tuned! or email me (stephanie at newbaby.com) if you would like more info.

Have a great Saturday!!

Mom Hairstyles Vlog Carnival / Contest from NewBaby.com Vlogger Alyssa @ LifeFromMyLaptop.com

Go to Alyssa's Blog to Participate:

Simply record your vlog and upload it to your blog and then come back here,
Leave a comment with a link below and let me know about it.
I will be giving away the following prizes to a few lucky winners who I will draw at random.

• A a SendOutCards account, valued at $25 from Cynthia Powell
• A free 1 year 125×125 ad spot on MomFuse.com Worth $120 donated by Jessica of MomFuse.
• A photo collage, design only no printing, donated by Barbara Ryan of Cherish Collages.

Also, for you mom bloggers who aren’t lucky enough to own a FLIP camera. I have great news. New Baby.com is sponsoring a part of this Carnival/Contest JUST for you.

Here is how YOU can enter:

• Simply post a picture of your mom haircut / hairstyle on your blog,
• Have an active blog,
• Join Newbaby.com
• Be willing to commit to VLOGGING for Newbaby.com (if you win), you can win a Flip Camera.

Please leave me a comment pointing to your blog post with your picture and sign Mr. Linky to be entered. 1 Winner will be drawn at random from these entries! (at Alyssa's blog)

Contest will run through Friday, January 26. Winner to be announced Friday evening, January 26. Entries taken through 5 pm on Friday.

http://www.lifefrommylaptop.com