Comments on: Don't Just Pitch, Form Partnerships

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:25:27 +0000

I enjoy outreach.

Not all of it of course. But most of the time I really enjoy the feeling of viewing a press hit and mention of a blogger that I informed about the product or campaign I was working on.

Especially if it feels like I'm just supplementing their content.

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:25:27 +0000

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:19:14 +0000

Absolutely Lisa, pitching the right person would seem simple… But far to many just don't make that extra effort.

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:13:39 +0000

It's so much easier to cut and paste a 1500 person list into a BCC though!

By: Stuart Foster

Stuart Foster — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 14:13:07 +0000

I think attempts have been made in the guise of email lists, HARO and other aggregation services but I just don't think many PR people would like the idea that someone could possibly do their job better then them.

Plus, I just don't think enough revenue is there right now…

By: Tressa Robbins

Tressa Robbins — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:50:47 +0000

Honestly, I don't get why this is so difficult to some people. Just as with journalists, to pitch bloggers, one MUST do their homework. If you don't know what that person has been writing about and what interests them, then you have no business even attempting a pitch! Good post, Stuart.

By: Lisa Atufunwa

Lisa Atufunwa — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:48:39 +0000

Very good post! These tips are the foundation to pitching to the media. It is important to remember to have done extensive research before pitching to a blogger/reporter. That way you are pitching to the correct person.

By: laurenfernandez

laurenfernandez — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:19:08 +0000

For some reason, some PR professionals are not researching into how to pitch bloggers or the media. They get so ingrained in the cycle of pitching, that they don't stop to think. They don't switch it up or try to make it fun. Sure, it's a tedious process, but those that excel at media relations know you can't just stop at the pitch. You have to cater to the specific outlet and person you are pitching. Be aware of their time restraints and communication. Make yourself a valuable partner and provider of information, rather than a spammer.

Some just can't grasp the concept - which is why some agencies get more business than others. That is why some PR professionals are better. It shouldn't be viewed as a necessary evil - but they do it because they find it tedious and boring. The foundation of media relations is pitching - thats how you get to the relationship and placement.

I think Len brings up a good point - Cision and services like it might try, but it doesn't have all the elements needed.

Good post.

LAF

By: Len Kendall

Len Kendall — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:10:51 +0000

I wonder why no one has built an effective middle man for pitching? A service that bloggers/journos could subscribe to and they prefer to receive pitches through that system (and they would make that fact known publicly). The service (or middleman) would be composed of a highly tuned filter + human elements. The middle man could charge a fee to those who pitch, and the benefit to the bloggers would be that they could share in some revenue, but more importantly, get quality pitches.

By: Tweets that mention Don't Just Pitch, Form Partnerships -- Topsy.com

Tweets that mention Don't Just Pitch, Form Partnerships -- Topsy.com — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:45:18 +0000

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