Yes, I write about my pets. Yes, I share health and nutrition information. Yes, I might be a consumer who purchases your products... but, when you treat me like just another blogger... just a name in a long list... just a non-descript person with the word "pet" in her blog title or posts... you make me feel... insignificant. <sigh>
Clearly, I am not important to you. Clearly, you are hoping...the way spammers who spam millions of people with their garbage day after day...that I'll bite. You're hoping I'll click the link in your email, or reply with an enthusiastic, "Oh my yes, send me your product right away!" I would advise you that... hope is not a plan.?
Because you address me by name, I am tempted to take you seriously. "Hi Yvonne," you say... and then you launch into your pitch. Hardly ever do you refer to my blog or to a particular post you liked. You are so focused on sharing your information with me, you neglect to figure out who I am. And, whether I'm at all interested in your content.
When I'm pitched by name, and my blog is referenced, and the content is relevant (you write, "I noticed that you've written more than one post about <topic> and I was wondering if you would be interested in our new <product/service> that is all about <topic>), I sit up and take notice. If you actually mention my pets, Oh My! I'm sold! And, I respond. I may not offer to write about you or your client, but at least I'll tell you why.?
Secondary to this, but not as bad, is a pitch that is clearly... PR-speak. They're creeping into my inbox more and more. The content is your press release, which I am sure you slaved over. The problem is... it's clear to me that you did not go to writing school. Whatever they taught you in PR school, or marketing class, or business school, was wrong. You do not approach a possible media contact (yes, bloggers are media contacts) by citing a press release written in PR-speak. If you'd taken some creative writing courses you'd know how to entice people; how to attract them; how to write with that personal focus that makes the person feel special.
Why am I writing this today? Because I was recently pitched by a big PR agency about a new product. The introduction was... missing. No introduction in the note. Flat out into the pitch... meant to be funny... but not funny. I will say there was a *hint* of funny. But, only a hint. Because the writer acted as if he knew me and was finishing a previously started conversation. The hook was interesting, the reality was less so. IMBO.
And so, I conclude - don't pitch me as if we're old friends, if we're not. Don't pitch me as if I'm just one of many (maybe I am, but you shouldn't make me feel that way). Don't pitch me with your funny content until you find out what I think is funny.
Get to know me...first. Or, work with a reputable media c?ompany that knows me well enough to introduce us.?
hayden panettiere china gdp looper dont trust the b in apartment 23 johnny damon kirk cameron friday the 13th
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.