3 simple steps to not be a public relations jerk!

I often receive emails from public relations people. Usually they are promoting an event, an artist, a book, and so on. Generally, they are good about replying to our inquiries and getting back to us. Most are very professional. However, once in a while you will encounter some that are jerks. Following is a very basic, simple list of things you can do if you want to build a good relationship with a blogger.

Know who we are!

1. Most of the time, it is you that reaches out to us. That being said, why the heck would you ask us who we are, or what outlet we represent? Personally, I assume that if you reach out to me, you know who I am. If you don’t, why not look up the domain, and pretend to know who I am before responding? If you are asking me to promote your crap, the very least you can do is know who the hell I am representing! These piss me off, and I usually ignore them after that question. I don’t care that you emailed 100 people, do your homework! Laziness will get you nowhere!

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Reply!

2. Even if you are not interested in the person’s outlet, remember that you reached out to them! The least you can do is respond and be cordial about what you are looking for. Ignoring us because our outlet is not what you want is rude. If you do that to me, I’ll toy with you.

As a matter of fact, I had one outlet that completely ignored me once I identified myself. They reached out to me, they violated rule number one, and then to add insult to injury, they violated rule number two! They asked who I was, and then they ignored me! A double whammy! This transgression cannot go unpunished!

I decided to wait a few days, then I wrote back to them stating that I was disappointed that I had not heard back from them. I then stated that my editors at Big Network Site wanted to go with someone else on this project. The minute I mentioned Big Network Site, not 30 seconds passed that I heard back from them! I kid you not, they ignored me for several days, and not 30 seconds passed from the moment I mentioned Big Network Site.

This section was inspired by those people, and I really do feel like putting their brand on blast, but I’ll think about that for a while before deciding whether or not to release who they were. I am known for being hard hitting, and not pulling punches, but I’m trying to be a bit more professional. Though truth be told, I’m not sure that they deserve that from me.

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In any case, for several weeks now I have been stringing them along. I have them going on the fictitious belief that they would have their client on Big Network Site. In an effort to possibly humble them, I asked questions that I know the answer to. “How many belts does your fighter have, cause the editors want a champion, not an average joe fighter.” I know that this fighter doesn’t have a belt right now, I know quite well who he is. I’m just toying with them, due to the disrespect they showed for my brand and my work.

Come on guys, you write to me. Then you ask me who I represent. Fine, I tell you, then you totally ignore my request for the interview? As a test of your integrity, I then tell you I am writing for Big Network Site, and you immediately respond saying “Hey, we were about to write you!” Give me a freaking break! Own the fact that you ignored me because you thought I was beneath your fighter, and don’t try to play yourselves like that!

Stay connected!

3. If you are pleased with the blogger’s work, then keep in touch. It is important to establish good working relationships. I don’t write for Big Network Site today, but I may tomorrow. In fact, my own site may grow to be as big as Big Network Site! Not to mention that I have written for sites that rank as high or higher than Big Network Site, and I have often appeared on radio and network tv. I’m working hard, and if you don’t have my back now, don’t expect me to have yours as I grow! Don’t burn bridges! If  you are pleased, keep the connection, let the blogger know, and please share their work.

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We bloggers are a great bunch of people, we are loyal and very helpful. So please, don’t be a pr jerk to your bloggers! Remember, you are only one viral post away from being infamousz!

2 Comments

  1. Seriously! You tell people not to be jerks but you typed like one? A true anti-jerk doesn’t use offensive language and pictures like what you did.

    • I was really irritated that day, and I also have a pretty nutty sense of humor. A lot of that was meant to come off as tongue in cheek. Think of it like the monologues show hosts do. Something like that. I considered editing it and making it softer, but then I’d be lying about how I truly felt. I really do my best to stay true to feelings. I don’t like that they do that, and clearly it comes across.

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