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).
Friday, April 17, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
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.
"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.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
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.]
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.]
Monday, April 6, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
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.)
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.)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
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.)
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.)
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