360PR Blog

As a follow-up a blogger relations session we had a few weeks back with Susan Getgood, which Elicia posted about, we were lucky to have a top locally based mom blogger come to our office and talk to 360ers about what works – and what doesn’t – when working with bloggers.  Christine Koh is the brain behind BostonMamas.com.  And when I say brain, I mean brain.  Among her many other accomplishments, Christine Koh has a Ph.D. in music and brain science!  Christine had some great tips when it comes to planning events for bloggers.  At 360, we typically call them “blunches!”  Her tips include:

• First and foremost, don’t request (or require for that matter) that if a blogger come to an event that they post about it.  Not only is it an immediate turnoff, but PR people and marketers should think of events as a way to build relationships with bloggers.  And hey, if it is a good, meaningful event, then chances are bloggers will have something to post about anyway, which leads me to Christine’s second point…

• The best events are multifaceted and can appeal to a wide range of bloggers and subject matters.  For example, Christine went to a blogger event that was put together by a family vacation destination where there were speakers and sessions on multiple subject matters.  For instance, the chef of the resort offered recipes for the whole family while someone else spoke about economical travel tips so virtually everyone that attended the event had something they wanted to write about coming out of the event. 

Speaking of blogger relations and events – I hope that everyone caught Susan Getgood’s post on Monday about another blogger relations campaign gone bad that spreading like wildfire on Twitter.  Just search #fishfulthinking and you will see what I mean!

Filed under: 360 Public Relations, Blogger Relations, Boston, Pitch tips |