The reason most people blog is because they have a passion for what they do. They want to share their posts with others who have similar interests. Bloggers have changed the face of media, so engage them. Believe me, they can get the word out that you’re hot stuff.
When you’re working to establish relationships with bloggers, remember that they’re not blogging for financial gain: it’s passion that drives them. It’s a different ballgame than traditional media, who look for stories or ideas.
Here are three important tips to get bloggers on board with you and your product:
LEARN
Before you reach out to a blogger, learn everything you can about them. Read their posts carefully and determine what makes them tick. Then participate in their blogs. Post your own responses, and make your own comments. Let your community know about your posts so they can also post comments on that blogger’s site. Let the bloggers get to know you. Then, after you feel comfortable enough participating in their blog; pitch yourself, your ideas and your company. It’s like an Internet courtship: you can’t just rush in and ask them out on a date immediately.
ENGAGE
Reach out to them and say, “I love your blog and what you’re doing. If you don’t mind I’d like to run some of my own ideas by you and see if they click for you.” A little flattery here will help. Let them know you’ve paid attention to what they’ve written and that you’re impressed. Then explain who you are. Tell them about yourself and what information you could provide them that would make a big difference to their readers. Asking “What can I do for you?” is a great way to get them on your side. Every blogger wants to make his or her readers come back for more, just as you want bloggers to come to you for more. This is just another way for you to build success in your PR campaign.
ACKNOWLEGE
Everyone likes attention and praise. Be generous. Don’t shy away from acknowledging them.
And, of course, thank them many times. Let them know you’re available if they want or need anything else. Make yourself useful to them and they’ll return to you for more. The more exposure you give them, the more likely they’ll want to work with you, giving you the exposure you want. Remember that you and that blogger share a common goal: to use the Internet to spread your passions. Make your ideas one of their passions, and you’ll have PR to boot.
So get to work pitching those bloggers. No IFs, ANDs or BUTs about it!
