"Pitching" bloggers, and other social media

To succeed in pitching social media you must be social! - and we hate the (anti-social) word "pitch" too.

The key to pitching social media is the "social" part. The contact needs to be personal. At least use their first name, and preferably make it clear you've read their blog/listened to their podcast/etc. at least once – don't expect success if you haven't. It also works MUCH better if you've left a couple of comments or trackbacks previously.

I'm pitched by a lot of people as are many other bloggers. I usually ignore most pitches that don't start with "Ted" and don't show any concept that they know me somewhat. I got two pitches recently from people that had obviously read at least one post on my blog and wanted me to comment on their similar competing product/service also. In both cases I'm going to, in one case after a free trial.

I got another pitch -- interesting in itself -- but it started with something like "hey check this out. I thought you might find it fascinating and want to blog about it." The product was interesting, the pitch poor, and my time limited - I ignored it.

Skip the press releases and other impersonal approaches – they won't work!

Comments

[Easton Ellsworth]

Exactly! I don't have much experience at receiving pitches, but I've sent a few out from time to time and the question for me is, Why am I doing this? Is it just for me, or it is to benefit this person to whom I'm writing and/or their readers?

[Kare Anderson]

Ted
Re pitching to other bloggers, there's another, perhaps obvious point that your writing style exemplifies: be pithy and to the point... yes, in the conversational, informative style that matches your kind of topic and community of people who sahre your interest.

I have been recommending your book to my audiences because you and Shel write in such a practical, easy-to-follow way.I look forward to learning more from you in your telebriefing for SpeakerNet.

[Ted Demopoulos]

Easton,

Absolutely right. If it benefits only you, then it's merely a "pitch." If it benefits you and the "pitchee" (or whatever the word should be), then it's not a mere "pitch" but an offer of something of value.

Kare,

Thanks very much for your kind words!

I'll also post something here later on my SpeakerNet teleseminar.

[nupur]

What you say makes perfect sense- i think we need to mind our p's and q's to avante garde lives:)