If you are, or plan on, receiving products from brands and PR firms for review or product placements on your blog, then you may want to consider renting a mailbox for your fashion blog.
What is a Rented Mailbox?
You can rent a mailbox from companies that provide mailbox services, which is essentially a personal address that can receive mail and packages for you. It is similar to a P.O. Box, but you can receive packages from all carriers as well as the Postal Service (with a P.O. Box, you can only receive packages from the postal service). Some common mailbox franchises include Mailboxes Etc. and The UPS store.
Why Would You Need To Rent a Mailbox For Your Blog?
- It’s generally not a good idea to send your personal address around in the first place.
- If you show personal possessions in blog posts, such as designer handbags, you should strive to keep your personal address private to prevent your home from becoming the target of thieves.
- When you send your address to brands, your personal information is not secure:
- it can be stored in email accounts that can be hacked.
- it can be stored on computers that can be hacked or stolen.
- a lot of blogger outreach is handled by interns, who may make less-than-professional choices regarding passing around your personal information, or using it for malicious purposes.
- even if you trust your PR contact, if she/he leaves for another position, your personal information may not end up in as safe hands with the next PR person.
How to Rent a MailBox For Your Blog:
- P.O. Boxes are generally not a good idea, because UPS, FEDEX, and other major carriers can not deliver to them.
- Search for mailbox services or centers in your city, and compare based on amenities, convenience, security, and price to find one that works for you.
- Make sure the mailbox center you’re looking into can receive packages from all carriers including the postal service.
