Pitching bloggers
I started to write a post about pitching bloggers, but then I found an excellent piece by Darren Rowse at ProBlogger.net. Why reinvent the wheel? Although this was written in 2007, the advice is still 100% sound. I’ve included the first paragraph and a link to the rest of the article. Read the comments too – they’re a treasure trove of information as well!
[stextbox id="alert" bgcolor="f5fd9a"]
How to Pitch to Bloggers – 21 Tips
One of the challenges that many bloggers face once they become established and grow a profile in their niche is that they become the target of ‘pitches’ – or people emailing to ask them to do ’stuff’.
These ‘pitches’ can be on any number of fronts including:
- announcing new products/services in the hope of being linked to or reviewed
- link exchanges
- asking for permission to use content
- exploring potential partnerships
- suggesting links to posts on other blogs
- story ideas
- asking for guest posts
- asking questions
- request for an interview
The list goes on. Some bloggers get ‘pitched to’ hundreds of times each week (some get hundreds per day!) and so if you’re looking to approach a blogger with some kind of pitch it is worth thinking carefully about how you do it.
Read the full article at Problogger.net
[/stextbox]
Tags: how to pitch bloggers, pitching, PR 2.0, problogger, professional blogging, Public Relations, worst pr pitches
May 13th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
I’m glad that this withstood the test of time unlike so many other methods related to the internet. Respect always seems to be the key with these kinds of things. I know I appreciate it when someone is thoughtful of my position and understands exactly what they are requesting of me.
May 13th, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I think the rules for bloggers are probably the same for most journalists. Be clear, be nice, don’t send spam and don’t be too pushy!
May 14th, 2010 at 2:50 am
It’s not often you see sound advice that’s still pertinent three years later in this field. I guess it’s just an indication that Blogging has grown up and developed a sort of code of conduct.
May 14th, 2010 at 4:49 am
Bonnie’s right. Bloggers and journalists operate in a very similar niche. So it makes sense that the rules of engagement are very similar. Being relevant and polite will win the day.
May 15th, 2010 at 3:58 am
I think the rules for bloggers are probably the same for most journalists.
May 15th, 2010 at 6:54 am
I read the article and I notice that guest blogging has developed to the point that there is now a site that links bloggers who want to guest blog with those who accept guest blogs.
The site is at http://myblogguest.com/
MyBlogGuest was started by Ann Smarty, and it describes itself like this:
“MyBlogGuest is a unique community that is based on one simple principle: if you provide quality, you don’t need to pay to be heard. It unites bloggers who are interested in connecting to other bloggers, journalists and other content creators in any niche and publish their high-quality articles on their blogs.”
I joined with my blog at Photograph Works
May 16th, 2010 at 8:06 am
I love to write guest posts and I seem to get the opportunity quite often.
For link exchanges my overall success rate is horrible.
Reciprocal links seem to have a bad taste for most bloggers although Google confirmed that they boost rankings as long as you don’t overdo it.
The ProBlogger post is really amazing just ordered their book!
May 16th, 2010 at 8:37 am
I have not had luck requesting links either. But since I upped my posts, got more consistent and started using guest bloggers my inbound links have increased from 8 to 98 in a few months.
May 17th, 2010 at 4:14 am
I tend to be wary of link exchanges, asou have to be very careful, google will peanalise you otherswise
May 18th, 2010 at 1:36 am
Very useful article, and props on not trying to reinvent the wheel when it certainly doesnt need to be!
May 18th, 2010 at 5:07 am
Bloggers are just like people, butter them up a bit and then go in for the pitch. It usually works at the 3rd or 4th attempt!
May 18th, 2010 at 5:34 am
bloggers should share information much like journalists