Freeing yourself of fear – how to successfully contact A-list bloggers
May 8th, 2008 | By Barbara | Category: Make Things Simple
Howdy!
You know, sometimes life just throws you a curveball that ends up delivering far more benefits than you ever could image. I had started by writing a blog post that focused on solely my ideas…and then received such useful insights from another blogger, I felt compelled to feature it in an article all by itself.
Earlier today, I had read the extremely masterful piece “PR Tips: How to Pitch Mommy Bloggers“. To say I was captivated was an understatement…as I was hooked by the following paragraph:
…After watching Hota Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford totally miss the boat with “air quotes,” backhanded compliments and asking Heather, “Is it all moms who are on your blogosphere,” it basically solidified for me, if the media doesn’t “get” mommy bloggers, how can PR expect to understand how to reach out to them either? Well, being a mom myself, I decided to do something no one else has seemed to do before–I asked them ….MORE….
Being an extremely shy (on the phone, that is) person myself, I wondered just how on earth the author, Shannon Nelson of Pierce Mattie Public Relations, was able to write such an thought-provoking post. And, well, me being me (since no phones were involved!)….I contacted her and asked.
The results were extremely insightful and, like I said earlier, deserving of a blog post by itself! Thus, pour yourself a fresh cup of coffee, lean back in your chair and begin to read…..
Barbara: How did you contact the mommybloggers? eMail, phone, Twitter, etc.?
Shannon: I follow all three on Twitter, but I know Elizabeth (Busy Mom) from b5media. I initially contacted Erin and Jenn via a direct message on Twitter and Elizabeth via email then all follow ups were done through emailing back and forth.
Barbara: Were you nervous talking to them? What would you recommend to help marketers overcome their fear of contacting A-list bloggers?
Shannon: Not at all.
I read their blogs, we chat through Twitter and besides having blogging in common, I am also a mom. I wasn’t really concerned about having my PR title attached to me because in the end we are all just people. If I overthink a pitch to someone, then it will definitely come across as formatted and impersonal and that’s not who I am.
Whether in PR or marketing, the only way to overcome your fear of contacting A-list bloggers is to read their blogs and become familiar with them–even if it just means lurking. Just because you read a blog doesn’t mean you have to comment on every post. Simply listen to what the blogger talks about, how they talk about it and who they are talking to. Once you really understand them, writing that pitch will become a lot easier because then you have a clear understanding of what they are looking for.
Barbara: What’s your most important tip regarding interviewing people for articles?
Shannon: Speak to who they are and what they are passionate about.
Whether I am interviewing bloggers or icons in the beauty and fashion industry, everyone is treated with the same respect and attention to detail. I spend a lot of time researching the person I am interviewing and try to not only come to understand their work, but who they are. Taking a well-rounded approach to understanding the person you are interviewing helps create depth to the conversation. In the end, that is what resonates with the reader.
Read the original article, “PR Tips: How to Pitch Mommy Bloggers“, HERE!
Oh, I love that last line!
“Resonate with the reader.”
So very very very VERY true. It’s the readers who subscribe to your blog (and if you’re a marketer online, who buy your products as well).
Resonate with the reader!
It’s one of the best ways you can build up not only your own blog readership….but your own future product sales as well.
Enjoy!
Barbara
#BEGIN highlights of this blog writing post:
Beginners blogging tips: Give yourself permission to contact A-list bloggers; they’re people like you and me.
Intermediate and/or Advanced blogging tips: Dare I say it….resonate with your readers. 
#END highlights of this blog writing post
Like this post? Please feel free to Digg It – I very much appreciate your time!
Related posts:
- 15 Reasons To Just Freakin’ Do It…Stop The Complaining and Take Command! Make the Pitch Your Friend
- Twelcome To My Twitter Page!
- You Make Money When You Catapult Yourself To Being The FIRST to Lead The Thundering Herd
- RANT – When bloggers are PAINFULLY clueless
- Breaking your boundaries, Twitter rants and more
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[...] Welcome! If you’re new to my site, click HERE to let me show you where the best benefits for yourself are located. Thanks for visiting!…Barbara’s note – I had written this on Friday and was planning to publish it then. But Shannon’s insights were so incredible I thought they deserved a blog post of their own! [...]
[...] Freeing yourself of fear – how to successfully contact A-list bloggers [...]
Barbara,
I’d say your blog was moving up the list smartly. I’d give it an “A” -
Lowell
Thanks Lowell for your kind words!
Barbara
Wow! Everyday I learn something new… being new to the blog world almost every post I read is an eye opener. I realize I need some coaching and these tips will come in handy when I’ve identified a party I’m interested in contacting.
Thanks again,
RPM Millionaire
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@RPM Millionaire,
Glad you’re enjoying the series! Thanks for commenting.
Barbara
Great post, I think your ideas can apply to many facets of life. I find myself intimidated talking to authorities in my field and really networking. However if you apply those ideas and some others you can slowly overcome those feelings. Thanks for the entry.
I use to check Darren Rowse for Pro Blogging tips but i think i can learn some trick here too thanx Barbara
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@BR
Thanks for your kind words! Darren is a great resource; we all have goodies to share. Like my mom says, nobody knows everything, but everyone knows a bit of something!! Put all those somethings together and you have a power worth reckoning.
Best wishes,
Barbara
Barbara,
a very encouraging post! I didn’t know who you are when I contacted you at twitter – so without knowing it I did what you wrote: contacted a "A"-list blogger!
Ulla’s last blog post..Bavaria – Countryside /Bayern – auf dem Land
@Ulla,
Thank you for your kind words – I very much appreciate them.
Best wishes, Barbara
Thanks for explaining this, I was wondering about this once.
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it.
Barbara
Enjoyed the post. Thanks
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My pleasure. Barbara
Be careful with such nice words
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Thanks for the ideas, i’ll contact one of them someday!
Hi Barbara, I have just begun reading you. And really enjoy your posts. My daughter and I have really grabbed these ideas by the horns. Thanks a lot and I will continue to read and forward
[...] Ling shares with us what it takes to free yourself of fear – how to successfully contact A-list bloggers when you need [...]
great going. you are an inspiration to all. many feel silly to express themselves, fearing ridicule but i think your views are a boost to those who hesitate in their life’s endaevour
nayna’s last blog post..Lord Ganesh’s Mantras
Thanks for the ideas, i’ll contact one of them someday!
Good luck!