Spread sunshine.
It seems like a little thing, but it can mean so much and change someone’s life in ways they never expect.
Back inside, I give Raffy a treat, and he promptly lies down, eyeing me because I told him to hurry and then spent several minutes talking to Myra. But I log in to my conference call just in time.
“Hi, Riley!” the woman says as the video connects.
And it’s back to work . . . making the world a better place.
Fifteen minutes later, Sharon wraps up her pitch.
“So, Riley, what do you say?”
I lean back in my chair, taking a moment to consider. “One hundred percent organic beeswax mood candles that are scented with real extracts sound interesting. What exactly are you hoping to achieve from this partnership?“
“Riley Sunshine is the sort of positive, uplifting energy that we’re targeting because we’re certain your audience and ours overlap enough to forge a new relationship,” Sharon says. She’s technically the company’s president, but I suspect they wear many hats at Positive Vibe Candles. “We’d expect three sponsored photos per month for six consecutive months, with the candle being the primary photo focus in at least one of those monthly shots. And you’d have a private link and code to share for your followers.”
Ah, there it is. This is a lesson I learned the hard way early on. Sponsorships aren’t always the easy money they’re cracked up to be, so I have to be smart about the pay structure and expectations, and that’s after extensively vetting the company. Too many businesses want to only send ‘free’ product and expect you to bend over backward for it like they own you, or they’ll pay well but want you to bring in such a ridiculous amount of traffic that you never see a penny of the promised revenue.
“And the private link and code . . . you’ll be tracking those, of course. If the placements are successful, we’re fine. But what’s the follow-through rate at which you’ll be concerned about the sponsorship?”
We talk business in a bit more detail, but I’m not hearing anything alarming. In fact, it all sounds really good as long as the candles are amazing. I won’t promote something I don’t truly believe in because I won’t risk my hard-earned reputation on shady companies or harmful products.
“I need a few samples to evaluate so I can personally see how they burn, their scents, things like that. But other than that, it sounds like we have a basic agreement?”
Sharon, who’s been looking nervous, sighs in happy relief. “Great! Of course. I already have a six-pack ready to ship to you, if you’d like. And I can email the contract today.”
We wrap up the rest of the call, and I sit back, pleased. Positive Vibe isn’t going to be a huge addition to my monthly income, but every bit adds up.
I make myself a note to follow up on the contract, samples, and dates for possible future posts. That bit done, I look at the clock.
“Oh! Gotta go, Raffy.” He doesn’t move from his place on the couch. Usually, he’s excited for his lunchtime walk, but today, he only opens one eye and it’s glaring at me like, ‘Really? We just came in.’ I guess our morning walk was late . . . and long.
“Fine, be a bag of lazy bones. I have lunch plans anyway, so it was going to have to be a short walk,” I tell Raffy, who’s already closed his one open eye again. Not even the words ‘bones’ or ‘walk’ get him to wake up, so he must really be tired.
I decide to head to my lunch date with Eli a little early and enjoy the beautiful day. I’ve already had three big wins as Riley Sunshine this morning, but a bit of actual sunshine would be nice for me, Riley Watson.
I roll the windows down in my Bug and turn the radio up, singing along as I drive toward Eli’s bank.
As I walk in, Eli gives me a wave. “Hey, Cuddle Fluff, you here to rescue me?” Eli asks, coming over to give me a kiss on the cheek.
“Cuddle Fluff? I think I like Honeychops better. Fluff makes me think of the giant marshmallow monster in Ghostbusters.”
Eli laughs. “You don’t choose the name. The name chooses you. And that was the Stay Puft marshmallow man. Cuddle Fluff is like a cozy pillow you want to curl up with for a Sunday nap while it rains outside.” He pulls his arms into his chest like he’s snuggling himself, or maybe an imaginary pillow, I guess. “Mmm, mmm, mmm.”
I lift one brow, not believing him for a second.
“Lunch?” he asks, wisely changing the subject.
“I’m buying. What’s your fancy today?”
“Hmm . . .” Eli muses before rubbing his flat belly. “Well, my naughty side says we go down to Sharkey’s for fried chicken-topped pizza. But the good boy in me says let’s get some subs at Malone’s. So . . .”