As an amateur blogger over at City Girl Gone Country, I was very pleased with the blogging information I received from the panel of bloggers. Dallas bloggers Oh So Cynthia, Living Locurto, June Cleaver Nirvana, Food Bitch, and Manchu-Media were very informative on several different topics, like how they determine which products they want to associate with and making sure to write quality posts versus quantity posts.
However, as a social media coordinator here at Atomic Design & Consulting, I felt that I left the event with a desire to have learned more about working with bloggers in regards to marketing. Granted, we could ask questions at any time and have them answered by the panel, but I would have ended up having eyes rolled at me and the mic torn out of my hands after 7+ questions, had I gone with that approach.
So, in honor of the Food Bitch’s Five Pros and Five Cons story she shared last night about her critique of a pizza chain, I’ve conjured up a list of a three pros and cons of last night’s event. Shall we?
The Pros
- Five differing opinions and various-styled bloggers. SMC Dallas did a wonderful job of selecting an eclectic group to inquire with and learn from last night. Everything from a homeschooling mother of three to a Crafts/Entertaining blog, and from a food critic to a media production company, there was a variety of differing opinions and experiences being blended together for wide-spread, thorough answers to questions last night.
- The skinny on subject lines and emails. As a social media coordinator, I’m very reluctant to send out emails to prospective clients and/or affiliates that sound too generic and lack genuine interest. Because of this, I understood why the five Texas bloggers would prefer to receive unique, witty subject lines and creative emails that show the person pitching them has taken a moment to really check out and read their blog. It was great to receive this unanimous reminder from all five ladies last night.
- Reminders to put your information out there. To really put it out there. Pelpina from Manchu Media mentioned her frustration with being unable to find email or other social media information from marketers that she was interested in working with in the past. She reminded the crowd that if we want bloggers to interact with us, we need to have our marketing contact information available easily. (Trip, 2012)
The Cons
- Not down for product reviews and/or giveaways. Holly had mentioned that she does not do press releases, product reviews, or giveaways. (Homer, 2012) From a blogging position I completely understand this. I did one product review on a delivery service I enjoyed, and didn’t receive mention, feedback, or even a simple “thanks” from that company… ever. However, on the social media coordinator’s side, I was curious as to what it would take to get a blogger interested in working together for a giveaway. It wasn’t very clear as to why giveaways were seen in a negative light, and I do wish I had more information on this, because I know I have personally enjoyed participating in giveaways and have learned about companies I never would have otherwise heard of because of them.
- Pet peeve: Asking to trade promotions on Facebook. Amy from Living Locurto and I Heart Faces mentioned how she dislikes when companies with only a few hundred “Likes” on Facebook pitches her by saying, “We’ll promote you on our Facebook page if you promote us on yours!” (Locurto, 2012) I can understand how that is not a fair trade at all, but I would have liked to know what would be a fair compensation in order to be promoted on a big blogger’s Facebook page. Would it take a freebie from that company? Ad space on their page for your blog?
- Going with products/brands you know or like. The Food Bitch mentioned how she enjoys pitches and events with products and services that she likes. (FoodBitch, 2012) This is helpful as a reminder that marketing companies need to read a blog and see what sort of things the blogger is interested in before contacting them, but I would have been curious to know what it would take to get a blogger to step out of their comfort zone and work with a brand or service they’re unfamiliar with. Smaller clients could benefit from working with bloggers, and the blogger may end up liking the product/service in the long run.
Overall, the event was an experience and valuable information was learned. If any blogger would like to take on the questions I’ve posed in my Cons list, please feel free to do so! I would love your feedback and am always eager to learn more about working with bloggers.
Sources:
FoodBitch, R. (2012, September 20). Interview by SMC Dallas
Homer, H. (2012, September 20). Interview by SMC Dallas [Personal Interview]. Bloggers: Truth, lies, and how to work with them., Retrieved from https://www.smcdallas.org
Locurto, A. (2012, September 20). Interview by SMC Dallas [Personal Interview]. Bloggers: Truth, lies, and how to work with them., Retrieved from https://www.smcdallas.org
Trip, P. (2012, September 20). Interview by SMC Dallas [Personal Interview]. Bloggers: Truth, lies, and how to work with them., Retrieved from https://www.smcdallas.org
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By Sarah Beacom
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| Sarah is theSocial Media Strategist atAtomic Design & Consulting.
Atomic’s offices are located just north of Dallas, Texas in Plano. Sarah is a blogger, foodie, and brand advocate.
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