Comments on: Politely Declining PR Pitches

By: Lori @ Just Pure Lovely

Lori @ Just Pure Lovely — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 14:51:02 +0000

Thank you for the idea of a form letter! I’m absolutely going to use this! I love what Angela said, and think the same. I’ve been deleting the pitches I receive for my bigger blog, FreelyEducate.com, because I haven’t had luck getting them to be willing to pay. The standard response is, “We don’t have a budget for marketing. We were just trying to make you aware of a great opportunity. We hope you’ll still let your readers know about it!” I have other things to blog about, I don’t need to be a free billboard for you!

But you’re right — you don’t know where opportunities will go. I won’t work for free for them, but I should respond back to each and every one of them. Some of the advertising I’ve been offered, or paid trips, have been after a relationship was established with a media group.

Thanks again!

By: Kat

Kat — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 00:07:29 +0000

Great examples of declining but keeping the “doors” open. I got an email recently that was rather vague, saying that she had found my blog, and asked if I was interested in putting links from reputable retailers on my blog. I wrote back saying I might be interested IF it was something that would be a fit (I really didn’t give too much detail) for my blog and if I had control over what was to be placed – no smut – before I agreed.

I just did this post http://katsdailyinspiration.blogspot.com/2010/07/special-moment-recognition.html after a few emails back and forth.

After I had posted it, I emailed her back with the link and said that I hope to be able to do more for them.

You just never know where your opportunities will come from.

By: Mellisa

Mellisa — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:40:58 +0000

I wish that I had seen this just a few short days ago – I got a pitch that was deleted immediately – I will remember this in the future though – politeness always pays off!

By: Ellen Christian

Ellen Christian — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 10:50:37 +0000

I totally agree. Just a few short sentences declining politely is so much better than ignorning a response. It really does only take a few seconds. I’d also urge companies who receive a pitch from a blogger to respond with a polite denial rather than ignore a request. Bloggers are not only media professionals but potential customers.

By: Saving and Giving

Saving and Giving — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:38:34 +0000

Great advice! I seem to be getting some strange requests that make me wonder whether or not they’ve even looked at my site. I may need to get working on a form letter of my own.

By: Kristi @ Spend Less and Save More

Kristi @ Spend Less and Save More — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:05:41 +0000

This post comes at a great time for me! Thanks so much!

By: Crystal & Co

Crystal & Co — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 22:07:17 +0000

Great post.

I too would love to see tips on what to include in your review/giveaway policy as well as tips for preparing a media kit.

Crystal

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:40:28 +0000

I am glad to see this topic was addressed.

What bothers me most about PR pitches and press releases is that I feel a lot of these companies are trying to take bloggers for a ride. In other words, they are trying to obtain free advertising for their clients. So a lot of times I struggle in responding to pitches. I feel that IF they are a reasonable fit they should offer to pay! After all, I’ve worked hard to build a community on my site…why should I become a free billboard for these companies?

I recently responded to a PR company that wanted me to post about their event saying that I would do a sponsored post for them or sell them a button on my blog. Guess what? They wrote me back saying they didn’t have any money for advertising. BINGO! So their marketing strategy was obviously to target bloggers for free advertising. This trend bothers me. A lot.

I hope SavvyBlogging will continue to discuss these sort of topics. I think more can be said about relationships bloggers have with PR firms. And I’d love to see folks from PR agencies weigh in too.

Thanks.

By: Mrs. Little

Mrs. Little — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:50:16 +0000

This is such a timley post for me!

Great suggestions!

By: Erin

Erin — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:42:20 +0000

Great idea! Thanks! I was wondering what the standard review/giveaway policy is, as well.