Working with Bloggers
Some of the advice I offered:
1. Do your research. Make sure the blogger does reviews, and if they do, that your product or service is appropriate for their blog.
I have had people ask me to review princess movies, offer to send me newborn clothing and even once I was offered a hearing aid. If they’d just read my about section they’d have seen that I have two BOYS, ages 3 and 6 and I don’t have a hearing problem……
2. Don’t start your email, “Dear Mom Blogger.”
We all have names. Take a few moments and skim our blogs. My blog may be called Mommy Bits, but that’s not my name.
3. Skim through the blog and get a feel for what they write about, what they are open to. Read the ABOUT section.
I have been offered coupons for coffee houses in Chicago, invited to movie openings in NY, etc. Um… I live in Cincinnati. Unless you want to fly me to Chi-town or the big apple, please don’t send me that sort of thing. It just makes me feel like you didn’t even try to find out about me.
4. Don’t tell them that you are a “big fan”or a “long time reader.”
Be honest. Say – “I was looking through your blog and saw that you wrote about XYZ so I thought you would be interested” or “I noticed you were a mother of boys so I thought you’d like XYZ.”
5. Recognize that bloggers are busy. It’s not likely that they will be able to do what you are asking right away.
Be flexible in your timing request. Bloggers have families, they’ve got jobs, some have PTA or Soccer practice. Be flexible and understanding.
I am sure that there is a lot more I could have shared, but I only had 2-4 minutes of time.
If you had a room full of PR people what advice would you give them about working with us? What’s your number one pet peeve? What experiences have you had that were great?
I am not looking for us to name names, let’s keep it general.
Related posts:
Amen Shannan.
Whenever I get a ‘review request’ that starts with Dear Mom Blogger, or Dear A Southern Fairytale.. I have been a long time reader or other such blah.
I immediately delete. You’ve lost me right there.
Thanks for telling them this.
I can’t think of anything else right now.
Great tips! I specifically state on my contact page that I no longer do reviews unless it’s a product for tweens or teens. And yet PR people still send me emails to “Dear Mom Blogger. Please review these pacifiers” or some other non-teen item. It drives me mad. I even have some people say “I know you are only reviewing teen items, but…” That’s almost more irritating.
Rachel -
Doesn’t it crack you up? I mean I say my name in my ABOUT and you sign all your posts with yours! It’s not that hard.
Christine-
When I get those posts I try to respond and let them know the error. I like to think it was an accident….
Great tips!
And congratulations for having the opportunity to speak!
This was great!
Although I WISH I had more review requests…I get a lot of kids book review requests but I would like the freebies that come with beauty products and fun girlie stuff…how do I get on the list for those! LOL!