PR Reps: Do's and Don'ts When Reaching Out to a Blogger

Warning: I'd like to warn you before you start reading that this is a very opinionated post. You may want to turn back now. After a year and a half of blogging, I think it's quite overdue because some people just really don't get it.

Yes I am a blogger, but first and foremost I am a person.
I am a mother.
I am a wannabe wifey girlfriend
I am a sister.
I am a daughter.
I am a friend.

I am also a small business owner, so I understand both sides. If you don't have the budget, then you don't get to advertise. I live through it every day. But please...

• Do not reach out to bloggers and expect them to just post about your company.

It is rude to think that we just sit here and twiddle our thumbs all day. That is essentially what you are telling us when asking us to "introduce" your company or "spread the word" about a product or company. If I agreed to every request made of me, I wouldn't have time to take care of my house or my family. I already don't have enough time to balance blogging and jewelry making. Not to mention, would you work for free? I think not.

I know there is much controversy about "review bloggers" just getting "free stuff". This is so not true! We actually work writing the review and promoting a giveaway if applicable.

When reaching out to me {and even other bloggers because I know many feel this same exact way}

• Do be courteous and please address me and my blog
  
• Do not address me as someone else completely. That's a real turn off and I'll hit "delete".
• Do proposition me with something that is beneficial to us both. I'm sure you don't want to send me your product and not get a post about it just as we don't want to work for free.
• Do not constantly send over press releases and expect them to be published.
  
• Do not send a story idea or want us to post something and give the line "because I know how hard it is to find content for your blog". Most of us don't have a problem finding content for our sites and this line is actually quite insulting.
• Do not contact us asking to trade links. Ok, before you jump on me, hear me out. A blogger, I would be happy to trade links with. I have a special section on my blog just for that. But companies expect it too. Sorry, but that's advertising and that ad space isn't free!
  

That's all that I can think of for now. I will be doing another post soon on a similar subject.

I do have to add that I have worked with some very wonderful PR and companies alike. Your friendliness, helpfulness, professionalism and consideration is very appreciated. I just wish that the rest could learn by your example.

For more on this subject, check out "PR Gone Wild – and my attempt to tame the beast" at Eighty MPH Mom.