Blogger relations, like media relations, can be a vital part of digital public relations programs. While some (notice I qualify this statement) public relations professionals understand the fine art of media relations, they struggle with developing meaningful working relations with blogger.
Who’s This Post For, Anyway
If you’re one of those people struggling to find your groove with bloggers, this post ain’t for you. This post is for savvy, smart-ass, hot shot PR pros that are looking to decimate any type of a relationship with bloggers. This post is for corporate big egos, and others who have a general disregard toward building relationships online. This one is for the pompous.
Following this advice will get you a vile reaction from bloggers. Imagine sticking you arm in a hornet’s nest and shaking it violently. That’s a dumb ass thing to do. What you would get from a hornet’s, my advice here will get you the same reaction from blogger — plus some damning press to boot.
Four Ways To Piss Off Bloggers
- Disregard the blogger’s guidelines. These guidelines can take a number of different forms, which can include statements about review policies, how you should pitch the blogger, how they advertise, etc, etc. Bloggers typically write guidelines because they live recluse lives and have nothing better to do with their time than play Super Mario Brothers.
- Send an impersonal introductory letter. This is a great way to reinforce a lack of respect and demonstrate you totally ignored the guidelines. Don’t address the blogger by name, either. In fact, using a wrong name might be better. Beginning a letter with “Dear Blogger …” is especially endearing. Don’t believe me? Read Alexa’s take on it.
- Send the blogger stuff without their permission. Alexa got her panties in a wad when a publicists sent her an unsolicited book. Here’s what she had to write, “Assuming I will be interested in a book and will just accept it, even if it is in a genre I love is the fastest way to get me to reach for the Delete button.” See. Relationship ruined. It’s not hard, people.
- Believe your product, service, pitch — whatever — is beyond divine. This one is especially important to those with big egos. Or think highly of their widget. Make sure that the point is clear — shove your product and idea down the throat of a blogger. They’ll show you more than love, baby!
Fortunately this is just a start. There’s more stupid shit you can do. Finding the bloggers phone number and call them at 2 a.m. in the morning. That might piss off a few of them. Offer them money when they clearly want to remain impartial. Yeah, great bonehead move.
Below, perhaps, you can offer other dumb ass stunts that have been pulled to get the attention of bloggers, but royally backfired.
About Rodger Johnson
