What's with bloggers and the Tile Shop?

[hesitantbride]

So, the Tile Shop has been featured on YHL, Bower Power, HouseTweaking, etc, and now it seems like HouseTweaking will be featured in a Tile Shop ad campaign.

Is this just a case of smart marketing on the Tile Shop's part? I've never been there or purchased from them. I find it interesting that so many of the home blogs I read have used things from there or been sponsored by them.

[wawa]

smart marketing on their part I think.

And on the blog's part - the thing with tile is that unless we're talking HD or Lowes, The Tile Shop is pretty much the only chain in the game. So if a blogger wants to recommend a source that people can relate to - the tile shop is a smart choice.

they do also have a pretty wide selection and decent prices. They kinda hit the right price-point and quality niche for the vast majority of suburban D&R bloggers. Like the Target of tile.

[peach]

At least its' not Lisa Leanord. OMG every blogger in the universe was doing regular giveaways of her necklaces. Her stuff is great, but it was so silly how many blogs she was pimping herself out on...turned me off to her.

[ssmjlm]

I think they're just the next round of sponsors. It seems to go in waves. I wish companies paid a bit more attention to timing. I don't mind the sponsored posts, but it would make more sense from an editorial standpoint to spread out the sponsorship since so many blogs overlap with readers. I'm pretty sure any professional in branding would agree.

It's like when Oreck was giving things away, EVERY blog seemed to be talking about it at the same time.

[pitterwoo]

Totally agree ssm, Oreck, Ace, Scotch tape/Frog tape, there have been so many things that went like that and blanketed so many of the blogs.

[wawa]

I haven't noticed the tile shop bombarding the blogging world. They've popped up on several big blogs, but it's been over a fair amount of time. YHL used them a while ago for the kitchen backsplash. House*Tweaking used them for their bathroom tile - which I think was after YHL? I don't read BP, so I don't know when they did their tile project - but regardless I think it's just a function of when these bloggers were getting around to a tile related project.

It's not like frog tape where every blogger can come up with a quicky project using the product and post it within a week of being approached.

I am kinda tired of the true value squad though. Or whatever it's called.