Adrian Baldwin
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Back to normal ... probably

5/18/2021

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Some months have passed since I really took my site seriously - that feels like the kind of thing a blogger might say in the internet equivalent of a confessional booth. I have been quiet for a while, but the approach from the Viking Group enthused me back into action and so I am back at the keyboard and ready to share a personal update.

Though things are starting to get back to something approaching normal, my life, like most of my readers I expect, has been a bit dull of late. Not much has been happening, things have been a bit “Groundhog Day”, and writing about them … largely pointless. 

Though it’s now May, this year has so far felt like an extension of 2020. Last year really didn’t get a thumbs up from me and I was damn glad to see the back of it.

After my post in June 2020 about furlough, I ultimately got made redundant at the end of October. Whilst not exactly a surprise, it was nonetheless a depressing blow. I didn’t join the ranks of the unemployed however - because I got myself a job at Tesco instead.

To quote Jon Bon Jovi, “when you can’t do what you do, you do what you can”.  Jon donated his time to a food kitchen, and I went to work for a supermarket.

The last time I worked for minimum wage, the formal structure didn’t exist. Going back to basics was an eye opener for me. Still, whilst the pay, hours and working environments (often outside, regardless of the weather) were grim, I cracked on. I made the most of it and tried to positively influence the other, less motivated, minimum-wagers around me to do a good job on behalf of the customers.

In January, when I turned 50, I was earning less money per month that I did when I was 18. Still that money was better than no money, and the job was better for my soul than no job.

The fact is that in 2020, I had never known so many good people be out of work at the same time.

I digress a moment to reflect. As I get older, I am conscious that I have stopped wanting more and more and have instead reverted to a state where I spend more time concerned about keeping what I have already – health, relationships, home, career etc. Is it just me? Do you dear reader ever have similar thoughts? I certainly don’t yearn for status symbols, or celebrity, or great wealth – though saying that, I do fancy upgrading my motorcycle ... again.

Perhaps it’s just that age is weighing heavier on me than usual right now? Normally it’s irrelevant, I mean I still behave like I am 30. But, in facing risk, I have felt more exposed than I did before. Maybe being 50 doesn’t present a roadblock to ambition, or career, or new experiences … but equally, it would be naïve to think that all the old doors can still be opened.

Anyway, introspective digression over. When facing redundancy, I had started applying for the kinds of roles that my skills and experiences would properly suit. The job market though was, and still is, brutal. For me, the outright rejections and complete silences had me genuinely worried about my career, each ‘hit’ another blow to roll with.
​
After 50 applications, for positions I was well qualified for, I only got interviewed twice. Fortunately, I made it through to second interviews on both occasions and got offered one of the roles.

I was beating myself up about my personal performance ratios, when someone, whose opinion I value, suggested that my 50:2:1 result wasn’t bad at all. I didn’t expect to get praised for failing so often that’s for sure.
 
In February, I was fortunate to secure myself a 15-month fixed term contract and get back to doing what I do - marketing management - and with a proper salary again. Normally I wouldn’t have been keen on a short-term role, but given the circumstances, I was delighted to take it.

I am currently working with good people, for a good business and am adding value and enjoying myself.

As we are finally easing out of coronavirus restrictions (and let’s hope there are no more reversals), my life feels like it has the balance back that it was missing for a year (again hoping for no reversals).

I guess that what I am getting at is - I am back. Normal service about to resume; you’ll be hearing from me more often. Probably.

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Motorcycle gear reviews coming … hopefully. Watch this space!

5/16/2021

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Picture
Every so often something interesting happens with my site, people get in touch and new connections are made.
​
The latest of these approaches came from a chap called James Wilson, a marketing associate for Viking Group - a California-based company serving bikers with products ranging from apparel to saddlebags. 

Here are some websites that you can visit and see for yourself.
www.vikingcycle.com
www.vikingbags.com

Here’s what he had to say “I visited your website randomly but I must say I like the content you are producing and the reason why I am outreaching you is that I am very interested in having a collaboration with your website.”

After I’d got over my surprise, and verified that the whole thing wasn’t a hoax, I was quite pleased that a cool, Californian, motorcyclist-serving business came across adrianbaldwin.com. .net .co.uk etc.

So, I replied to James with this:

“I am a rider and would have to express an interest in cool biker gear. My site does have a number of biking related posts, but my blog is wide ranging, and it's UK domiciled.

What would you like from me? A link is easy, but I'll do more depending upon how you respond. I'll write up a whole post about our engagement if I am inspired.”

And clearly, I was, because look what you are reading now.

He came back to me with a proposition, basically he’ll send me some products over from the U.S.A. at his expense, and that I’ll get to keep, in return for honest product reviews and some links from my website.

I’ll admit to being intrigued. Let’s be frank, getting free motorcycling gear in exchange for honest product reviews works for me. Given that motorbike riding and writing are two of my most favourite pastimes, what’s not to like? I get to try out some new stuff and get to write about it too. And I don’t have to lie about my experiences if they aren’t positive.

Being very British though, I didn’t bite James’ hand off; instead I went back and gave him a chance to change his mind. I pretty much apologised for my bike, my age, my site and my country. Here’s what I stated:

Hi James,
Okay, you’ve got my interest. Writing honest product reviews based upon user experience works for me.
​

I have visited both websites and can see that you stock the kinds of products I genuinely use all of the time.

I attach a photo of my bike, it’s a Yamaha adventure bike rather than a cruiser or a café racer, so not as much of a lifestyle statement as a Harley for example. You’ll note that I already use saddlebags too; these are slung over the bike and secured under the seat. I have a Givi rack that can accommodate hard panniers, and the bags are also attached to that frame. The bags aren’t dissimilar to items you stock.

​In terms of riding gear, I wear leather when the weather is good and fabric (because it’s waterproof) when it isn’t – and in the UK we have plenty of rain.

I ride about 5,000 miles per year. While I prefer the sunshine, I ride in all weathers.

I am 50 years old in case that is relevant to you in terms of your target market.

I have shared this insight so that you can determine if I am the right fit, or not, for the Viking brand.

If you are interested in moving forwards, please let me know what the next steps are. If you are not so sure anymore, that's fine, no hard feelings.

Kind regards,
Adrian


Being frank again (he’s like a alter ego), I expected that my honesty would have killed the deal stone dead. But, after a slight pause, James got back in touch, said “Thank you for the detailed reply” (seriously, that’s verbatim) and offered up some choices as to what I could test first.

So we’ll see what happens next. I’ll follow up this post regardless of whether or not anything actually arrives.

If some product arrives - and I am excited to think that it might - you’ll get to read a review; if it doesn’t, well it doesn’t matter because I have had some fun already just by being approached.

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www.vikingbags.com

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    Adrian Baldwin

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