Mommy Crackeds last blog post..I Just Love A (Little) Man In Uniform

As for myself, ditto what the others said, and I’d like to add that I do like to not only give a review, but be able to add my creative flair to the review; to do “that thing I do” and do it with the review.

Otherwise, my readership is going to tune out pretty quickly.

I want to be honest, I want to be fair, but I also need to be entertaining; that’s what my blog is. If that’s not working for the the PR people, then best move on, nothing to see here.

Jozet at Halushkis last blog post..Bloggy Love!

We need to continue our discussion about CO one of these days…

`Arianne

P.S. Steph tells me we share the same political opinions…

On the outreach front, don’t lie to me and pretend to be a long time fan. I know my stats, I know you’re bulshitting me. Insulting my intelligence will not get you far. Also, don’t just link to a site and ask for a review; we’re all looking for personal gain – what would I gain from writing about your website? (There is no such thing as a free lunch.)

As for contests and the like, I don’t have the readership to warrant such a thing. I’d be open to it if the client was, but mostly I’ve done reviews.

Finally, as for the PR encounters, I don’t know what I’d expect. Free stuff is free stuff; I wouldn’t turn it down, but it isn’t a necessity. I would not pay my own way to something unless I was going to see a return on the investment, so if the encounter is out of town for me, they would have to foot the bill. As for what I’d bring to the table, if they’re looking for me, then I’d guess they want my opinion, which I would give without reservation. That’s one of the hardest things I find about reviews: if something isn’t worth the price, or isn’t that great, I have a hard time convincing myself that it’s OK to say only good things. So instead I mix the good and the bad, trying to be balanced.

I get at least 5 or 6 pitches a week. Most of them go right into the trash without me even reading them because I know I’m not going to be reviewing fake food or baby products. I mean, look at my blog. Do I have a baby? No, I don’t. So why, for heavens sake, would I want to review baby products?

My expectations aren’t high, I don’t think I’m so special that the PR folks should bow down to me and kiss my tootsies, but I would like them to 1) read my blog and send me appropriate pitches 2) learn my name and 3) make me offers that will excite me about their product.

For example, when Ford offered me their Driving Safe program they had my name, that I had teenagers, and that I was interested in my teens learning how to drive safely, all gleaned from my blogging. It wasn’t hard, and I was thrilled to attend their program.

margalits last blog post..Variety is the spice of life?

Lady Ms last blog post..Woven by Fairies

Do you promote contests, events, product releases – or do you stick to product reviews and promotion of issues you care about personally?
i think i tend to lean towards things that strike a chord with me- as i think most bloggers do. i don’t blog about what i think everyone wants to hear, if i don’t have an opinion on it.

What do you expect to get out of a PR encounter – blog fodder, product samples, an all-expenses paid junket, an ongoing relationship? What do you expect to provide in return – that is, what value should businesses realize in reaching out to you?
i’m just excited to have ANY encounter. my expectations are not high, but of course if you want me to use a product, you’ve got to send it to me. lol as far as establishing a relationship with a specific PR company- i’m not opposed to it. it’s pretty much a business relationship. mutual back scratching. we all know that what we write on our blogs affects those who read it- i think we prove that with every product review we are a part- i know everyone i have ever done has influenced my readers.

jennsters last blog post..i could have peed from excitement

But I’ll take whatever free shit people want to send my way.

I work in marketing, so I have no scruples…

manager moms last blog post..Of Breasts And Bacteria

Yes, I would promote contests etc in fact I was very recently approached to promote a contest. I myself couldn’t participate (children are of wrong age), but if I could I definitely would have (so it does interest me) and I was also offered some swag for promoting it. So if it’s something I think people reading my review blog would be interested in, mostly if *I* would be interested, then yes.

I expect a little of everything. Blog fodder for sure, but also samples perhaps some other sort of compensation and perhaps an ongoing relationship that could lead to junkets and opportunities in the future. As for me, I give them inexpensive but lasting promotion. First hand experience that people want to see before they purchase. Real life situations with the product and, of course, positive PR.

Marilyns last blog post..The Blahs