Useful - But Blecch...

Hi, Maisie.

When nature calls, women don’t have it easy at public restrooms, campsites, hiking trails and rest stops! I think your readers will love this new tool for those uncomfortable situations.

Whiz freedom is a new device for women who are tired of stripping, squatting, bending, or wetting when trying to go to the bathroom with less than adequate facilities. The award-winning, world leading invention has been found to be the most comfortable female urine director. Hygienic, medical grade, convenient, comfortable, and easy to use; learn more at www.whizfreedomusa.com.

You know - in theory, this isn't a bad idea, especially for women who like to hike and camp (which doesn't describe ME). And you have to admire the way they described the product's benefits - before they tell you that the product is a "female urine director."

It’s the perfect solution for travelers, back packers, mountain climbers, skiers, golfers, cyclists, campers, etc.

And crazy ex-astronauts who need to drive through several states non-stop to carry out a vendetta against their boyfriends' wives? Imagine how much less press coverage she would have gotten had she been using a "female urine director" instead of "adult diapers."

I'm happy to send you a sample or further information about this quirky device!

I think I'll continue to put up with the inconvenience of peeing the old-fashioned way.

I Got Nuthin'...

Hi Maisie,

We all know not everything that comes out of our babies is as sweet as them. Introducing Poo-Pourri Jr., a diaper spray made of all-natural anti-bacterial essential oils such as bergamot, lemongrass and grapefruit.

Poo-Pourri Jr., from the makers of the popular Poo-Pourri adult spray, eliminates the source of odor causing bacteria and uses a secret formula that safely and effectively traps and diffuses odors in cloth and plastic diapers, leaving your home fresh and clean.

Simply spray Poo-Pourri Jr. on dirty diapers before disposal and there will be no reminder that your little angel was once a stinker. This convenient spray is also perfect to take with you on the go in your diaper bag – the formula contains a revolutionary odor counteractant to neutralize odors at the source and refresh air. The all-natural essential oils in Poo-Pourri Jr. trap odors and won’t leave any behind.

Poo-Pourri Jr. is available in a 4 oz. bottle for $12.96 and an 8 oz. bottle for $19.95. It is available for purchase at www.poopourri.com as well as through retailers nationwide.

For more information, local retailers, a high-res image or a sample, do not hesitate to contact me.

Yeah, That's Cool... BUT...

Hi Maisie,

While you're tucking your kids in bed, photos from today's adventures are being uploaded to the Web for your friends and family to see. The Eye-Fi Share Video lets you send photo and video memories straight from your camera, to your home computer or the Web, wirelessly. You don't even have to turn on your computer for the magic to happen.

This is a nice start. Yes, this sounds like a product my readers and I would be interested in. But then:

Goodyblog is giving away Eye-Fi cards to 2 lucky moms – a $79 value! After you snap photos of your kids' birthday or video from their soccer game, simply turn on your camera when you come home and photos – and videos - will automatically upload to your computer and to your Facebook, Kodak Gallery, Shutterfly, or Snapfish page. Eye-Fi has 25+ Web sites that you can choose from.

I thought I would send you the link in case your readers want to enter or tweet about it, http://www.goodyblog.com/. Let me know if I can send you more information.

Um, yeah - it's a contest with an intriguing prize. But both my time and blog real estate are limited. Tell me again why I'm being asked to give another website free publicity?

I understand that this pitch was not about giving me a product to review - I'm OK with that. But tell me again - what's in it for me? Not even an offer of a reciprocal link.

#PRFAIL

And You Think I'd Be Interested, WHY?

Dear Maisie:

I thought you'd be interested in this. Please contact me for high res image of the Phillip Stein watch.

First Lady Michelle Obama sits with fellow honoree Oprah Winfrey, who exudes elegance and style with her Signature Philip Stein watch, at last night’s TIME 100 gala celebrating TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. Winfrey is a big supporter of Philip Stein timepieces, whose wearers attest to feeling less stressed and more relaxed, enhancing their sense of focus and concentration.

You know, I am a big fan of our First Lady, and I wouldn't dare say a mean word about Oprah. But perhaps the wearers of Philip Stein watches feel less stressed and more relaxed because they're not living from paycheck to paycheck (or worried about the end of those paychecks?) like the rest of us. Those watches are not cheap!

Fatal Flaw

I thought this press release was kind of interesting:

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS OFFERS ONE LUCKY COUPLE A WEDDING OF A LIFETIME IN LAS VEGAS

March 9, 2009 (Culver City, CA) – THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, television’s #1 daytime drama series produced by Sony Pictures Television for CBS, is awarding one lucky couple a wedding, vow renewal or commitment ceremony in one of the most exciting destinations in the world, Las Vegas! The wedding will be witnessed by THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS’ Christian LeBlanc (“Michael Baldwin”) and Tracey E. Bregman (“Lauren Baldwin”) with Grand Prize packaging provided by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Authority and MGM Grand Las Vegas.

From March 9th- April 13th eligible couples can log on to www.theyoungandtherestless.com/lasvegaswedding to enter the contest by submitting a photograph and answering a question about their relationship. Twenty-five semi-finalists will then be selected by a third party judge, notified on April 17th and announced on...April 20th. Those semi-finalists will then be asked to film.

This email was sent out to me on April 16.

Oops.

I guess they only cared about my readers finding out who the semi-finalists were - not actually entering the competition (which I think of as the really FUN part of the story).

Worst Practices: Ginormous Attachments

I had just one email to pull in and it was taking a really long time. Sure enough, I saw that it included a 17.5 MB file.

"Sounds like your aunt is emailing us a bunch more photos," I groused to my husband.

But no - he didn't have a similar email coming.

Instead, it was a pitch - with a full press kit Word 11-page attachment that included several embedded photos.

People: This is why God created WEBSITES. Put it up, include a link in your pitch and send it off.

The ONLY reason I opened that attachment was so I could find out why it was so huge and then report about it here. Normally, receiving a pitch with an attachment that's more than 1 MB will go straight into my trash folder, because obviously - the person who sent it to me is an amateur.

#PRFAIL.

Either some PR professionals are listening, or they are just uber talented

I admit when I opened this PR pitch I was already rolling my eyes. The subject was less than enticing, "Does Maisie have THE CUTEST KID?" Also I had just read through a string of annoying pitches, including one that wanted me to run a completely inappropriate "news" article about their little event. So when I tell you this was a well-done pitch, you should know that I had to make a total mind turnaround and that it was really a really good pitch.

What made it good?

#1: TARGETING APPROPRIATELY

I don't know if I can emphasize that enough!

If you blanket a pitch to every address for a blogger that you have, you've failed. Go back to postcards in the mail.

#2: PERSONALIZATION

Send the right pitch to the right blogger, and they will in turn reach out to the right audience for you.

That's how you use social media marketing.

#3: ALL INCLUSIVE INFORMATION with the BIG SELL to me and all info I need

As bad as this might sound, don't make me think. Brevity is the soul of wit and good pitches, but too brief and you don't sell this to me or make it easy for me to pass it along. I need the who, what, where, when why and how, as this pitch includes.

So let's dissect this pitch (this time my comments are italics):

Dear Maisie,

I have been in contact with you before about Parents Magazine 'Cutest Daddy Contest', and now we have something else in the works. By the way I love your latest post, [insert sincere comment here that references my actual last post and details within it, proving this person at least honestly scanned my most recent post. That, for the record, is a PASS!] :)

Anyways getting back to my point here......

You and your readers can upload up to six photos for the Parents magazine cover contest. This year Parents has two age categories for entries: Parents Magazine Cover Contest (3 mos - 2 yrs) and Parents Magazine Cover Contest (2 - 6 yrs). The two cutest kid winners will appear on the dual cover of the November 2009 issue.

[This is SUBJECT MATTER APPROPRIATE for my mommy blog. Me and my readers are moms, we all take photos and some of us are avid photography hobbyists. Plus, in general, we like Parents Magazine. This sounds like fun. Also sounds like something my readers will be interested in.]

Once photos are uploaded, you can use a template to create your own Parents magazine cover featuring your own cute child, and you and your readers will automatically be entered into a cash sweepstakes that will award a $10,000 cash prize to a lucky winner. The deadline for entries is June 24. To thank you for helping us spread the word about the Parents cover contest, Parents.com’s Goody Blog will link back to your site at the end of the contest.

[Okay that's cool. We can create a little cover, so even if we don't win, we get to do something fun. Ooh and link love. That adds value for me. Plus, little to no work because this pitch clearly explains where to go, what to do, and why you want to do it.]

I’m attaching some photos of last year’s contest winner, if you want to include them in your blog post. Please let me know if you would like anything else.

[Includes visuals with permission to use, plus HA we see what they like, which helps when we choose. Good!]

Best regards,

Sergei Fyodorov
for Parents.com

[Well done, Sergei. Well done. You should teach a class...or let us in on the secret of the class you attended.]

Conservative/Religious PR People: Harrassing the Non-Believers? Or Just TOO LAZY to target their pitch?

I'm in the middle of Passover prep, so of course, I am delighted to receive more pitches of a conservative/Christian religious bent:

News for your blog: An Important April 9th Deadline could put your OB/Gyn's job at risk

On April 9, 2009, the government will close the debate on an issue that could be important to many of your friends, family and local physician’s careers. This past month, the new administration officially began the process to overturn a Health and Human Service regulation that provides protection for healthcare workers from pressure or intimidation to perform medical procedures that go against one’s conscience. This regulation is also known as the conscience clause and protects all healthcare workers, not just doctors.

OK. If the person who sent me this pitch had ever read my blog, she would KNOW that I am pro-choice and very much in favor of birth control, and I do not support policies that make it harder for women to obtain these services. I APPLAUD the end of this crappy Bush-era policy and I won't lift a finger to help this woman's organization gather signatures for their petition.

Of course, they have a right to advocate their point of view. But people: TARGET YOUR AUDIENCE. MAJOR PR FAIL.

The next pitch in my inbox sounded sort of interesting at first:

Good Morning,

Battlefield of the Mind DVD is helping parents, singles and teens overcome negative thought patterns and live a life and thought life filled with joy! A great resource for your readers.

OK. I am not usually one for self-help material - but that doesn't mean I don't need a little assistance in that area. The DVD is from a "best selling author" named Joyce Meyer, and because I don't pay attention to that part of the bookstore, she could be number one on the New York Times list for all I know. So I'll read on:

SUMMARY: The book that has helped millions is now an essential DVD! Derived from the popular book, Battlefield of the Mind, New York Times bestselling author and speaker, Joyce Meyer, will teach you how to overcome negative thoughts and become responsible for your own joy. The Battlefield of the Mind DVD helps transform your thinking with four life changing sessions: What's Been On Your Mind Lately?, Think About What You Are Thinking About, What Would Jesus Think? and Thinking Your Way Out of Bondage.

HELLO. What Would Jesus Think?

I'll tell you what I think: I think these people don't even CARE that I already have a religious faith of my own (and one that Jesus thought was good enough for him, by the way). I appreciate that evangelicals feel it is their duty to save as many poor souls as possible by spreading their word. I just wish they would appreciate the fact that it irritates the hell out of all of the rest of us.

Yes, I should ask to be taken off their lists -- but if my conspiracy theory is correct, that will just spur them on to send more more of this stuff. Better to ignore... and vent my ire here.

PR Pass: Group SJR scores a three-pointer (from a reader)

Reader Julie sent me this one:

Hi Maisie,
I love it! I used to get so annoyed by bad pitches, but it's gotten much better for me since I posted a policy on my blog about PR. Now, for the most part, I get pretty good pitches, such as this one I'm sending in. I wanted to send it to show an example of a good pitch. I think it's a good one because it's clearly a good fit for me and my blog---it shows that Nina from Group SJR did her homework: she highlighted the section of the Better World Books Web site that fits my kids' ages (versus teen or adult books) and she knows that this product (green) will appeal to me. Most importantly, she sells the concept to me in her opening. I can't tell you how many PR people think all you need is a product name and statement of opportunity---and forget the most important thing: they have to sell to me FIRST, if I'm going to sell the idea to my readers! So here's what a good pitch looks like, and I added in my comments (but you'll have to format them your way, and I put the links alongside the text):

Hi Julie,

If you're researching ways parents can easily green up their lifestyle or gear up for baby's arrival in an eco-friendly way, I hope you'll consider telling your readers about green online book reseller Better World Books. Moms and Dads can stock their kid’s room or nursery's bookshelf with "Where the Wild Things Are," Paddington, etc. while at the same time:

- Diverting books from landfills (buying used is the best kind of recycling - and so far BWB has spared over 6,000 TONS from 'fills.)
- Offsetting shipping environmental costs with carbon offsets from CarbonFund.org
- Avoiding an SUV ride to the local Barnes & Noble for a "virgin pulp" new hardback

(Nina has really sold this idea to me. It's green, it's good, it's appealing to me, probably of interest to my readers, and includes top selling points.)

And as if that wasn't enough, here are some other bonuses:

- BWB books are up to 80% cheaper than new ones
- Shipping is free!
- Better World shares its revenues with important literacy groups like Books for Africa

(Now Nina has answered my potential practical questions and shared another nugget about charitable donations. More appealing.)

So by shopping on BetterWorldBooks.com, a mom will be doing something good for the environment, teaching her children to reuse resources when possible, and helping another child somewhere in the world learn to read to boot. A ripple of effect of good—all because she decided to ‘green’-up a bit!

(There's the angle, tone and quotable text. All very useful.)

Let me know if I can provide you with any more details about Better World Books. Looking forward to hearing from you!

(I sent questions and she followed up promptly and professionally. Instead of just doing a blurb, I did a full out interview and promotion.)

All the best,

Nina Stricker

Group SJR

(This was probably one of the best PR pitches I've ever gotten.)

PR Fail: When PR folks target the wrong side of the fence

It's a true Maisieism to say social media only works when PR people target the right people. There's no sense asking a dad who blogs to write about breast pumps, is there? So, did David know my religious beliefs and political leaning before sending out this email to me? The answer is no, because Jews don't usually promote Christian products, and liberals don't usually support conservative agendas. Both of these pieces of information are in my bio.

Let's start with the plus: David got my name right!

Hi Maisie,

In her latest post, “Bad Mom” Caron Guillo explores the plethora of websites popping up, dedicated to what has been dubbed “Momshells.”

(I'm all for positive images of a variety of women...but I read on to see what this self-dubbed "Bad Mom" had to say about the issue...)

“On behalf of moms everywhere,” Caron says, “I’d like to suggest we overthrow the traditional definition of ‘sexy,’ staging a vocabulary coup, if you will. Is it not bad enough that the term ‘Desperate Housewives’ has been hijacked by Hollywood?”

(Honestly, I don't have a problem with that. I'm happy for Hollywood to co-op the term because the show is amusing and it sucks all substance from the term, which, actually, I hate.)

Caron gets things started by throwing out a few suggestions, in hopes that others will follow suit.

“Bad Mom” Redefining ‘Sexy’

A Sexy Mom:

1. Laughs. A lot.
2. Is smart.
3. Can run a vacuum with a baby on her hip.
4. Plans awesome vacations on a tight budget.
5. Is brave.
6. Puts makeup on three days out of seven.
7. Teaches her kids pretend languages.
8. Takes her children out in the middle of the night to watch meteor showers. And packs hot chocolate.
9. Works to support the family.
10. Stays home to raise the kids.

(Not too bad. If you don't take it too literally, or think too hard about #s 9 and 10.)

You can find the article in its entirety at http://www.newchristianvoices.com/column/bad-mom-redefining-sexy. Please feel free to link to the post.

(Ah ha. New Christian Voices. I've heard from them before. This is one of those "make it hip and appealing and sucker in people to getting on board the conservative bandwagon while pretending to be mainstream and fun." Butter me up as victimized by that radical set in Hollywood and "empower" me to take back the term sexy, after stripping all the sex out of it, of course.)

If you’d like more information, please contact me at 646.452.6418 or dteicher@5wpr.com

Thanks and best,

David

(No thanks, David. You hit the wrong target here. As I said above, Jewish, and liberal. I like to read Vogue, and not necessarily just at the hairdresser's. It's not in my interest or in my interests to promote this. Hint to other PR folk: Get a list of bloggers from a known conservative or Christian site. Make sure you know to whom you are writing.)

Celebrities + Green Consciousness = REALLY?

Mind you, I have NEVER written a post about a beauty product - yet, these keep on coming:

Eco-Friendly Beach Bag Essentials! (Because, you know, Green is trendy...)

Hey!

(Friendly and informal? Or just trying to avoid the all too inevitable "Dear {WRONG NAME}"?)

Looking for the perfect ‘do this summer? Take a cue from award-winning actress Kate Hudson who always rocks perfectly disheveled, beachy waves.

Now it’s her hair care line with partner and friend David Babaii that is winning awards. The eco-friendly, cruelty free line - David Babaii for WildAid - has got your reader covered with award-winning products that will help them achieve all the top summer looks, from beachy waves to an uber-bouncy curls, these beach bag essentials will have you looking hot all summer long!

(It's going to take a lot more than hair care to make ME look hot, especially in the summer.)

To get sizzling hot-weather locks follow these simple steps:

1. Wash with DBWA Amplifying Shampoo and Conditioner, which were named “Best Green Hair Care” in InStyle Magazine’s 2009 Best Beauty Buys.

2. Spray your whole head with the DBWA Bohemian Beach Spray, which is a finalist in the CEW 2009 Beauty Insiders Choice Awards (winners announced May 1, 2009).

(OK. I just HAD to find out wtf "Beach Spray" is. According to the website - which has one of the most annoying Flash interfaces I've ever seen - it's a "non-aerosol styling spray." I guess the thing that makes it "beach-y" is that it contains both Dead Sea salt and Pacific island volcanic ash. Not sure how that helps you style your hair. Also not sure how that relates to "eco-friendly" if that stuff has to be imported to wherever the hell it's manufactured.)

3. Scrunch or twist sections before drying or allowing to air dry.

4. To set it all in place, lightly spray your hair with DBWA Mise en Plis Extra Hold Styling Spray, which New Beauty magazine honored with a 2009 Reader’s Favorite.

(So they're not serious about calling this a "beach" look, right? Unless you don't plan to actually go in the water or get near the sand.)

Better yet – all of the award-winning products are under $12.99 (!!!) so both your beach bag and your wallet win!

(This may be my favorite part of this pitch, because of those three exclamation points. I guess the Beverly Hills-based publicist who sent this to me is used to spending $30 a bottle on hair care products - but I - and my readers - tend to shop at discount stores, $12.99 will buy you a whole liter.)

Major Marketing #FAIL

So every now and again (okay regularly), as we all do, I get these pitches from PR firms telling me it behooves me to promote their product---uncompensated--on my blog. I'm iffy enough about it 99.9% of the time, but won't do it unless I LOVE the product already or it pays/compensates and I love it. So that means 99.9% of the time I read the pitches & click delete.

So yesterday one of the PR flacks sends me a SHAME ON YOU---YOU NEVER REPLIED note to me.

She's asking me to promote fabric softener (when I strive for green products) and put up widgets on my blog and tell others to grab the widgets and write up the fabric softener for...a $2 off coupon---for the readers, not me! I don't even remember the original pitch---it was while I was out of town so I probably barely skimmed and deleted.

I'm reading through email the morning, trying to catch up, and I find this "I wrote to you last week and never heard back, so I wanted to remind you about your opportunity to write about blah blah blah..."

Excuse me?

She's CHASTISING me for IGNORING an unsolicited pitch about her product that benefits me NONE?

WTF...the nerve.

I wrote back politely and said, "I do sell ad space on my blog and I am for hire as a web content creator or copywriter. If you would like to buy space or discuss my freelance rates, I'd be very glad to talk about that.

As for not replying, please understand that I receive many requests to advertise products for free on my blog or do free/uncompensated reviews and promotions. Because this is how I earn my living---even if they are great products----I'm unable to reply to all requests of that nature."

GAH...these people, some never learn.

We need a wall of shame---by which I really mean a divided wall of "this is bad" and "this is good" for these people to refer to. And...i need to let this go LOL.