Comments on: Maybe Some Authors Should Do Their Own PR

By: Beach Betty PR

Beach Betty PR — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:20:07 +0000

Hi Danny, I'm so glad you brought that up. I've been a reporter for 19 years and in addition to my journalism career I do public relations and social media consulting. Everyday I filter through sucky PR pitches. I hate to bag on PR pros because not all fit into this category but it seems they should spend some time on the journalism side of things so they know how to pitch. You can learn how to write a press release and string sentences together in a certain format but there are also other elements that are needed to make a good pitch. Knowing the basics of how to address someone and appeal to their curiosity is one. Answering the question, "Why should I care?" is another. Frankly the majority of pitches I get I just toss. I'm launching a webinar called Ask a Reporter: How to Create a Press Kit www.beachbettypr.com in which I address these issues from a reporter's perspective. It just gets really frustrating to get the poorly written pitches and it's sad because often it's a newsworthy product or service, yet the bad pitch does it a disservice.

By: CTK1

CTK1 — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 02:52:52 +0000

Good one Dannster!

Big difference, indeed. Obviously the first example is much more appealing [grin].
Seriously though, absolutely, I think authors should handle the writing of it if they can, but in many cases when it comes to self promotion an author stymies up. Although I wouldn't imagine such a thing from a business/marketing writer? I imagine that more from a Lit writer or one of those peculiar poet types. Long Live the Letter #2 approach.

By: TJ Dietderich

TJ Dietderich — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:13:37 +0000

You got it. It's all explained here: http://tj.dietderich.com/?p=65

The newsletters are short and sweet. Ten books every month from across all genres, one paragraph explaining each book and a link to its Amazon page if the reviewer wants to learn more. Nifty. This program is my baby, so I'm biased.

By: kmskala

kmskala — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:46:45 +0000

Absolutely. Unfortunately, that's the mindset of a lot of uneducated PR pros. It's a big problem in the PR industry. I like to think I'm in the minority and one that does take time to ensure a proper pitch.

I think bloggers will do the PR industry well. As more and more try to pitch bloggers, the industry will need to shape up. Those that are already doing it the proper way and understand how to pitch will be the survivors.

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:22:10 +0000

Do you think this could see the self-promotion model become more popular, if lazy pitches continue to be called out? There seems to be more examples now of authors using their own resources and contacts as opposed to the traditional methods (which are obviously still popular and effective, when done well).

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:20:01 +0000

Reverse pitching sounds an interesting concept – look forward to finding out more about that from you soon.

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:18:57 +0000

Here's the thing though, Kasey (and with a PR background I can see where you're coming from). That little bit of extra time can make all the difference – think how better received it'll be for being done properly, as opposed to being called out for a lazier and quicker approach. Which more bloggers seem to be doing now – it's almost as if the tipping point for crappy pitches has been reached?

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:16:42 +0000

Thanks for bringing an author's viewpoint to the table, Jed. What's the overall view from writers – are you hearing more/less horror stories about pitches? Do you have final approval before the pitch goes out, or is it up to the PR agency or person? I'm just curious how much input author's have, and if they're aware of how they're being viewed (incorrectly) via association with a bad pitch?

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:14:36 +0000

No, that was a separate follow-up email from a previous blog post I had written. That was quite comical too, though…

By: Danny Brown

Danny Brown — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:13:29 +0000

Oh yes – they're marked in a special folder called “B for Bin”