Each year the big names from the blogosphere get together and host conferences. Or if you go by some bloggers descriptions conference is code for all-nighters where both restraint and underwear are optional.
Just goin’ by what I’ve been told folks.
Maybe you’ve heard of these:
When THESE Mommy Bloggers get their conference on you can bet the Big Boys from the Big Companies take notice.
The Big Boys even sponsor some of these Mommies (pay for them to attend) these conferences in return for some product pimping. Also known as cheap advertising sure to reach the blogging masses and their wallets.
Companies such as:
Disney, Sony Music, Crocs, Little Debbie Snack Cakes and Wal-Mart. Which represents just a teen tiny tip of the cheap advertising via conference sponsoring that goes on in the blogosphere.
Yet, these same companies tend to ignore requests of sponsorships for special needs bloggers to attend special needs conferences.
Such as the National Down Syndrome Congress.
Imagine the bridges that could be built. The information shared. The lives changed if Big Name Companies were as willing to suck up cater to special needs parents the way they are to typical parents.
Especially in the wake the 1 trillion dollars worth of spending the special needs niche represents.
Are you listening Big Boys?
While a typical parent may purchase an item strictly for it’s fun value, a special needs parent sees the therapy value as well. And is thus willing to shell out even more cash in hopes of capturing the interest of their child.
Many special needs parents purchase Disney videos because they are one of the few things their non-mobile, non verbal child has to fill the hours with.
Wal-Mart, how much of your gross income comes via families of children with special needs? I’d bet we keep your pharmacies alone in the green.
Crocs, we aren’t simply looking for a free pair of shoes. We’re looking for you to recognize the advocacy power you weld as you stand beside the special needs community and we champion each other.
Sony, do you understand the value of music in the life of a child with special needs? S
The charity giveaways are wonderful. And they are appreciated. But let’s face it, your company looks good as it’s philanthropy rating sky rockets.  And I suspect these events help out in the form of tax breaks too.
But how about some respect? Some recognition of our support in your growth and success. Include us in the main fold instead of segregating us to that ‘those poor kids‘ bubble.
* Will there be Mommy Bloggers at NDSC? Yup. By the hundreds.
* Will there be lovers of Big Brand Names at NDSC? Absolutely.
* Will there be those who have spent their hard earned money on Big Name Brands? Hell, yes.
*Will news and commentary be provided? Why, yes it will.
And I can promise that the information blogged from the National Down Syndrome Conference will last much longer and do more good than the hangovers or free hamburgers being blogged about any place else.
AGH! They are horrible!!! Good post. I don’t know what it takes to get these morons to notice!!!
Twitter: therextras
says:
You Go Girl! (Sorry if that was trite – it’s what came into my head first.) You are so correct and accurate in this post – wishing you weren’t. Big name companies ignore a niche consumer instead of exploiting it do so at their own risk.
Perhaps we all need to find other ways to get their products (reuse/recycle) ? I’ll be thinking more on this and I challenge everyone who reads here to add suggestions for effectively amplifying Tammy’s message in this post.
Great post — really hits the nail on the head.
Just a reminder for Mommy (and Daddy) DS Bloggers going to the NDSC convention to stop by our DS Bloggers site http://www.dsbloggers.blogspot.com to sign up for their blog ID badge. It would be great if you could mention this fun way for us bloggers to recognize each other in person. Check it out
As I tried to message you during a recent Twitter party, people are watching and listening.
Companies both large and small are interested.
I’m not sure to whom you’ve reached out or in what context–or if you know for sure if your e-mail even reached the right people.
But what I will say is that the best way to get companies to take notice is to focus on your passion, your advocacy, and your blogging, and to continue to build your contacts and network. The more people you know, the more likely it is that one of them knows the contact information for the person who can get you that notice, that sponsorship, and more importantly will sit down and really listen to your perspective.