A list bloggers: keeping the little guy down?

by on November 3, 2006

I was just reading Mike Arrington’s note about dealing with PR agencies and such. If you aren’t a journalist or a blogger with an audience you have no idea what Mike is talking about. I get hundreds of emails every day, many of which are from people, companies, and PR firms asking me to blog stuff.

I absolutely hate dealing with this stuff. For the most part I just simply don’t. I don’t respond. I learned that answering email causes even more email and I simply don’t have time. All I did yesterday was dig through email and I barely made a dent. That’s why I’m up at 2:40 a.m. editing videos.

Anyway, it’s a real problem for a small company (or even a big one) to get noticed in today’s world. I don’t know what to do about it. I’ve given up.

One thing, though. If you have a product or a blog or something else you want my readers to try out (or for me to try out) leave a comment here, do NOT send email! That way everyone can get pitched and my readers can help me sort out what’s important to dig more into with my video camera.

  • Good idea. People sometimes give commenters flak for pitching their companies in the comments, but I've always found its makes the post better. I often miss stuff.
  • I dont have the problem, however, I have a comment. What if all the PR guys stopped sending you email and only wrote comments wouldn't that give you the same problem?

    I mean then it would just be your comments you wouldnt have the time to read.

    My point is. I dont think its about the medium... Be it email, comments, phonecalls or something else. You also make your phone no public. Do you get tons of calls from PR people. If not, I'm actually a bit suprised.

    I gues it just comes with beeing a public figure. Maybe you shold get an assistant to manage all that stuff. As I see it only other solution would be not to have a public email or phone... or maybe have one public and one private of both email and phone.
  • Robert,

    If someone set up a site where these small companies could pitch themselves to people to you, Mike Arrington, and some of the other "A-list" bloggers, would you subscribe to its RSS feed?

    Perhaps if people knew that you were watching something like this, they might use it to get noticed rather than email you.
  • Kasper: >>What if all the PR guys stopped sending you email and only wrote comments wouldn’t that give you the same problem?

    No. Because then my readers could see all the pitches and I wouldn't need to get involved at all.

    The fewer intermediaries there are between you and the people who build products the better.

    The thing is, PR folks don't like a disintermediated world. They don't get paid if you only need to leave a comment on a blog post.
  • Kasper: I don't get that many phone calls. But I don't always accept phone calls either.

    Assitants cost money. Only worth doing if there's a chance of getting that recouped. I might be able to, but at the expense of other things in my life. I'd rather go and do more photowalking shows than try to compete with CNET or TechCrunch.
  • I see the paradox, you are one person with only so many minutes in a day. Then the flood opens up. Some smart filtering sematic web application may work in the future. I helped fund some things at Nervana (ex MSFT research) that would work on the inbox flood. Not that I like the CEO much, but the idea was there...

    The video editing is also a time killer. Its like you need to have a small army to help. Interns. Interns. Interns. But some pro-interns. Or a big fat upload pipe to the Bollywood cut and chop house.

    Mmmm, TEK.
  • Tim: yeah, eventually we're going to need more video editors. For now, though, I'd rather learn Final Cut Pro just so I can tell you how badly it sucks as an editing environment. But mostly cause I want to do certain things with my shows, particularly the photowalking segment I was working on tonight. Damn, is it 4:21 a.m.? Off to bed I go.
  • Comparatively few people read comments. And one problem with making comments is that it's an invitation for bad press as being a spammer (one can get that sort of bad press from email too - but with comments, there's many more people who might decide to try to score a little attention for themselves by calling out a supposed spammer).
  • "If you have a product or a blog or something else you want my readers to try out (or for me to try out) leave a comment here..."

    OK then. Here it is: http://www.consensusbest.com and http://consensusbest.com/blog.php?cid=0

    No press releases or other spam to follow. Thanks!
  • So you want me to pitch www.blinklist.com here? Come on, you know as well as I do that this is not a way to promote any website.

    However, I have to agree with you that companies should also not try to flood your inbox. I guess this is one of the curses of being a blogger on the A list. You will get pitched all the time. Worse then flooding an inbox is to start bitching and moaning. I just wish people would focus more on delivering a quality product than to worry about who ends up writing about them or not.

    Mike
  • If you have a product or a blog or something else you want my readers to try out (or for me to try out) leave a comment here, do NOT send email!

    You don't want PR firms to impose on your space (your inbox), you want them to impose on your reader's space (the comments section)?

    Hmmm, strange.

    MS
  • You may want to check out the Social Media Press Release initiative. Its early days but think about structured press releases with metadata running through a smart front end that manages the whole discovery, contact, informing process.

    More here: http://www.socialmediarelease.org/2006/11/02/el...
  • It has been an adjustment for most PR people to figure out how to "pitch" bloggers. Particularly, the mental adjustment to pitching via comments: Do I feel like I cheapen a client such as Podcast Ready with a naked pitch that everyone can see vs. a private email in hopes of a "neutral" blog post (ok that link was gratuitous-- it's in my blood)?

    Changing from one-to-one communications to many-to-many is a big deal for traditional PR people. But it's a conversation, and the new era of disclosure means we're all out in the open-- or should be, and we have to get used to it. If we're not, we'll be found out (hello Edelman) and hung out to dry in public.

    Robert, this is a nice discussion (as is the Arrington one) that we all need to be having-- all over the place.
  • Robert,

    As I commented to Mike Arrington, the fact that you are overwhelmed is a monster of your own creation. To an extent, you just have to deal with it.

    However, as you point out, you are not trying to compete with CNET and TC, so we (PR folks) should recognize that and not put you on the dreaded 'target list'.

    Now, I imagine what you get overwhelmed with is not only PR pitches. In those cases, the basic rules of blog engagement - listen, think, find common interests, respond thoughtfully - should apply. (Actually, aren't those the basic rules of HUMAN engagement??) Getting back to you "dealing with it"...you shouldn't have to deal with garbage.
  • blogger@wordpress
    Leaving a comment in the regular entries could be a problem. What if 5 more entries are posted after the one with the comment?

    Each blog should have a separate 'Inbox/Suggestions/Notes for the blogger' section. People can leave their notes and details for the blogger& the readers attention there. If the blog host itself doesnt provide such a feature - you should post an entry that reads - "Leave your suggestions, new product notifications and links you would like me to check out". This could be your 'blog inbox'. From here its a matter of subscribing to this blog entry.

    If the host provides such a feature it should also have the option where readers can mark it as spam.
  • Wouldn't it be called spamming if I were to put up a link to my website? Unless it's relevant, I delete those comments. Please don't encourage spamming comments... that just makes it harder for the rest of us to keep our comments clean.
  • Sorting through comments is really a problem...Most people don't take the time to go through them because they vary so much in quality and content..Its almost like boiling ocean...This makes the conversation typically one sided (blogger to readers)...Now readers really want to hear from other readers in similar situation as them (case in point is the poularity of the Amazon.com product reviews http://karmaweb.wordpress.com/2006/10/31/amazon...)

    What is needed is a way to sort out the mess and to rank the comments in a community ordered order of usefulness.
  • "Robert,

    As I commented to Mike Arrington, the fact that you are overwhelmed is a monster of your own creation. To an extent, you just have to deal with it."

    He does deal with it, Jesse. By ignoring people. That's how I deal with it, too.
  • thatdeguy: it's not spam if I ask for it. On the other hand, maybe we should only do it once a week and only allow pitches in that one post.
  • Scoble: That’s why I’m up at 2:40 a.m. editing videos.

    Arrington: I stay up at nights thinking about how to do the right thing. (and judging by the time on his comment here, that's true)

    OK, just an observation, but maybe people need to get more sleep.

    I'm serious, are A-listers getting enough zzzs in their bid to feed the monster of daily postings to keep up interest in their properties.

    Big Media journalists are getting 10 hours a night, I bet.

    So A-listers really aren't A-listers. They're like Big Media's lackeys. Doing all the work for a tiny piece of the audience and none of the sleep.
  • This is like the pot calling the kettle black, but taking this sleep deprivation theme further...

    Exercise. How much are A-listers getting? Sorry, Robert, but you're not sporting a Tour-de-France physique. Neither, from what I can tell, is Arrington.

    And diet? What are you guys eating in front of your monitors?

    Here's the equation: too many hours in front of screens + lack of sleep + high-calorie diet = serious health issues.

    This is ably illustrated by the photo on this page Hint: "Little guys" and Big Media journalists are on the left, A-listers on the right.

    A-listers keeping little guy down? Only until the A-listers keel over.
  • Dominic: I don't get enough exercise. Diet is actually pretty good, but could get better. I generally don't eat in front of my monitor.

    I've actually been losing weight lately cause I've been running all over the valley interviewing people.
  • Seems like any company that wants a blogger to write a post about them, might do better having their own corporate blog, or better yet, hiring a blogger on their payroll. The amount of time they waste sending these emails could be better spent just learning how to do it themselves. I mean, if I can figure it out, anybody can.
  • According to BusinessWeek, you're off the hook! :-)

    http://www.scripting.com/2006/11/03.html#When:1...

    Cheers...
  • Robert,

    I worked as a reporter and editor in newsrooms for 20 years before taking my writing online. Several of the newspapers I worked for were obsessed with answering phone calls from "the public." Sometimes I get great tips from answering an unexpected phone inquiry. More often than not, it was PR people who could offer no good reason why I would write about their company or client. And there lots of calls from nuts and/or nice people with too much time on their hands.

    When it comes to links and publicity, there's nothing wrong with a meritocracy. But few people have the time and resources to run one well. That's why newspapers wind up with lots of staff, which they now have to trim.
  • Robert,

    Good to hear that! Now let me take your blood pressure...

    Regards,

    Dr. Blog
  • Dominic: my blood pressure is very low. My cholesterol is high, though. I'm working on that. Eating very little red meat and trying to cut down on other fats too.
  • Robert: As I said, pot calling the kettle black. You'll likely outlive me by 20 years. Cholesterol is mostly a genetic thing, or at least that's what I tell myself as I pop the lipitor. :-)
  • Well, you A-list blogger, you, I'm sure as heck glad you answered my email! Check out my glowing blog post about you, Scoble.
  • "He does deal with it, Jesse. By ignoring people. That’s how I deal with it, too."

    Hugh,

    Aren't blogs about conversations? What you are describing sounds more like soliloquy.

    (BTW - You'll note that my original comment acknowledged that responsibility is bi-directional.)
  • Would you consider checking out a screenplay blog? I am running a blog for a screenplay called Return to Everlong. The synopsis is on the site, and it is really great! This screenplay has something other movies do not have, originality.
    The premise? Imagine being convicted of a crime you did not commit because of something horrible you committed in your past.....your past life!
    I encourage everyone to come to the blog, and check out the synopsis, and if you are interested you will be able to request a copy of the screenplay from the writer.

    Thank you for your consideration and review
  • LayZ
    By a show of hands, how many people REALLY think Scoble hates all the PR attention he is getting?
  • “If you have a product or a blog or something else you want my readers to try out (or for me to try out) leave a comment here…”

    http://www.pricemarks.com

    The basic idea is to provide price transparency and discovery for local services. Any feedback appreciated.
  • “If you have a product or a blog or something else you want my readers to try out (or for me to try out) leave a comment here…”

    Hi, I appreciate what you're trying to do here, link's below

    http://www.profy.com/author/2cworth

    Writings on Social Networking and Web 2.0

    Roll your own Web 2.0" - the most popular so far, on free / cheap scripts for setting up social networking sites like Digg / Myspace.
  • Jesse: thanks for noticing that my email is NOT my blog. I can ignore email without ignoring my blog.
  • Robert - sorry to repeat my question but if this is such a problem for you I'd be really interested in your answer (since leaving my comment I have also asked this in an open letter to a-list bloggers on my blog:

    If someone set up a site where these small companies could pitch themselves to people to you, Mike Arrington, and some of the other “A-list” bloggers, would you subscribe to its RSS feed?

    If companies knew you were listening to one source, they might be inclined to use it.
  • Bess
    Best solution is wiki. You add categories as main page. Have PR firms and companies add sub pages to list their request.

    Say you want to do an interview on mobile video. Go to wiki and click on main page mobile. Just go thru the subpage to find an interesting company you can interview. It is like getting those PR firms and companies to build your own wikipedia that you can search

    Other solutions?

    1. Setup POP to outlook. Make those PR firms and companies use a specific email address or subject title. Setup a business rule on your outlook. Email request will automatically file to certain folder. You read them when you have time.

    2. Create a weekly post just for accepting request on your blog.

    I still think wiki is the best solution. I also think it is so much better to have your readers to rate and comments on those wiki pages. Then you don't even have to do much. You pick the product or company that has the most comments and/or ratings. Can wiki turn into your own version of digg.com by letting readers to rate rankings?

    I vaguely remember Wetpaint has some sort of rating. You better ask Ben Elowitz.

    Another thought. I haven't seen any blog allow readers to rate rankings on comments or posts. If it is technically possible, bloggers and readers can sort posts and comments by ranking. This will help finding the most wanted posts or comments.

    Let me brainstorm some more about this. We need a smarter blog than just reading the blog sorted by dates.
  • Ok Robert, I'll take you up on it....ahem, ahem.

    Want an insight to life on the road through the lens of an inexpensive compact camera? Then come over to "This Blog Title For Sale" where you will find my musings on life on the road, places you may have flown over, sprinkled with takes on food and a dash of politics. Plus whatever else might happen to amuse me. All that and much more at "This Blog Title For Sale".

    Thank you.

    http://thisblogtitleforsale.com
  • Niall: I love RSS and would subscribe to that kind of feed. It's a lot easier to put things on my link blog than take them out of email and put them here.
  • If it is ok, I see from my post of Nov 3rd that the link I thought I inserted for the screenplay "Return to Everlong" Blog was not inserted, may I repost the link?

    It is
    https://returntoeverlong.wordpress.com

    Many thanks ~ :-) ~
  • Bess
    Robert,

    I am trying to see what are the technical possibilites in organizing blog posts & comments to sort out request submitted by PR firms and companies.

    How do you setup your WordPress? Do you use your own web host to install WordPress? Or use domain mapping supported and hosted by WordPress?

    I kind of look thru all the widgets from WordPress but I didn't find anything that can be utilized for sorting.
  • We know how hard it is for the little guy to be seen or heard. We create TheGoodBlogs so that bloggers could promote their peers. It was our contribution to the blogosphere. It was interesting none of the A-listers would even give it the time of day. If you're not an A-lister go visit http://www.thegoodblogs.com.
  • I like the title of your blog post here as well. As a consultant I recommend to my clients to build relationships with the little guy, not just the A list bloggers. If you find a good writer that is blogging about a topic that relates to what you are trying to promote, help him help you. Give that blogger exclusives to write about - help him build an audience - build your audience together. Keep in mind there are a lot more good bloggers that are not being pitched to than those who are getting overwhelmed. By hitting the smaller guys, you may cover more territory and actually find a broader audience.
  • It seems to me that the online channel PR people have to you is limited to direct email and blog. This is the only way that the PR company believe they can reach out to you directly -since you obviously didn't respond to their press release!

    It has been my experience that the constraints of a network, like LinkedIN (no affiliation), keep contact regulated, relevant and transparent.

    When you tell them how you wish to be communicated with, they will, in the main, comply.
  • Chris: I find that's absolutely not true at all (that they'll comply). Dan Gillmor, for years, had a "how to pitch me" link on his blog (he was a journalist with the San Jose Mercury News) and the pitches he received were laughable.
  • I think its pretty much like many business ventures, or many projects, as simple as learning a skill. When you get started and your trying to get going or get your foot in the door, you welcome certain things, cause they do indeed help you out. I would completely welcome email from PR people if they are going to give me some useful information to talk about on my blog.

    But like with most things. After your set..you've got your system of getting things done down, those random inquiries aren't needed as much anymore, because you've built up your list of "things you do" to get what you need. If you need something or need some information, you know where to get it, you know where to look, you have your "go to" people. The things that at one time was very helpful becomes a hassle.
  • actually,it depends.even small company can make it big but the most important of all is the mass appeal.
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