You Gotta Give Bloggers What They Want (And Need)!

I was culling through my email inbox on Monday morning, frustrated that I was once again finding it peppered with news releases. Don’t get me wrong: I use press releases to help tell my readers a story and sometimes that news gives me a leg up on my much larger competition. There is something immensely satisfying when you’re the one breaking the news!

Admittedly, I don't always jump for joy when unsolicited news releases come my way, especially when delivered by someone I don't know.

Alas, most news releases these days are wanting, not in detailed information but in relevant information. And there is a significant difference between the two.

What Kind Of News Do You Have?

For example, you may have a new product that is just right for the car, but if I have to dig through a lot of information to find out what you’re saying (and selling) I may not be so patient. Unlike desk journalists who may write a handful of articles each week, I write that many and more on any given day. Cutting to the chase, if I have to really work hard to get the job done I may simply move on to something easier to handle.

At the risk of sounding impatient, I’m just sharing with you the plight facing a lot of people whose online work trumps everything else. The nature of blogging means that whatever news you get is fresh and when one article is done bloggers are often off chasing the next story (or we don’t get paid). At least that is the case with meta bloggers who update one blog several times a day (similarly, I update several blogs once daily along with articles and web content for my clients).

Keeping It Real (And Simple)

Lately, some people have been pitching their story ideas to me in different ways, beyond my inbox and phone number. Though I appreciate the news and the new contact, leaving a message with me through Twitter, Facebook or elsewhere can be difficult. Right there you are asking us both to take several additional steps involving back and forth tweets which I’m loathe to do. Instead, keep your news coming the best way you know how: via email.

But perhaps the most important aspect of getting your news republished is spending the time to get to know who will be writing something on your behalf. Though the blogosphere can be terribly impersonal (admit it, how many of us will we ever get to meet in person?) there is something to be said about people who take the time to get to know someone at least on a basic level.

If your news is good I may read it. If your news is wonderfully written and what I need, I may publish it. But if your news is great and you took the time to reach out to me on a personal level, then you’ve also won a friend.

I really like the “social” part of social media!

See Also — Where Has All Of My Blog Traffic Gone?