RE: The 10 things I have always wanted to say to PR folks

Some of my friends in the PR line seemed pretty riled up over this article on The Business Times titled “The The 10 things I have always wanted to say to PR folks”. 

To each his own, but here’s my viewpoint as a blogger/non-mainstream journalist/social influencer/whatever-you-want-call-online-content-publishers:

1.

Dear PR,

Have you considered working with bloggers instead if you find some journalists to be too demanding? Some of us have sites with over a million views a month. Mind you, that’s about as powerful as many of the mainstream publications. See this list. 

2.

If mainstream journalists do not want to reply you on when their story will be published or whether they can keep a copy for you, most bloggers will be happy to email you the links for sharing on your social channels. I make it a habit to do that because I know you won’t be visiting my site everyday.

3.

As a follow-up to point 2, most online sites and blogs are free. If you need to show it to your client, you don’t have to buy a copy, just email or message them the link. We are always happy to get more traffic.

4.

We are happy to share and discuss the angle of our story. However, bear in mind that usually, blogging is not our full-time job. If too much effort is required, it’s better if you do an advertorial with us. Generally, we are our own boss and there is no editor for us to report to. Rest assured that what we promise, we will deliver (I will). We do not need clearance from upstairs as there is no upstairs.

5.

We (or at least, I) believe in goodwill hunting. You scratch my back and I will scratch yours next time. Report on your company’s core values and avoid asking tough questions? Give and take. Answer one tough questions and I share one nice core value? At the end of the day, just give me a story that can go viral or get the most eyeballs and it will be a win-win for both.

6.

If you client says nothing, it’s okay. I can still post a photo of him doing nothing, saying nothing, but a nice photo to look at in the post.

7.

It’s okay to say ‘sorry for the confusion’. We get confused sometime too. Just don’t confuse us as second-rate substitutes for mainstream journalists. We have our pride.

8.

I have been to ‘exclusive’ events where I am lumped together with bloggers with zero or no traffic. It’s okay, I believe in humility. I have also been to ‘exclusive’ events where I may be the only blogger present among a bunch of mainstream journalists who mostly see us as eye sores. I am okay with it too because I do feel ‘exclusive’. I have also been invited to real exclusive events where I am the only media there. For that I am really grateful. Thank you. It’s up to you how you want to cultivate our relationship.

9.

I will arrive 15 minutes earlier out of courtesy if you ask me too, but I may also be 15 minutes late sometime. Give and take. You can’t really complain to my boss about me being late because I am my own boss. Hence respect my time and I will respect yours.

10

Your definition of what is important may not be the same as mine, but it’s okay. I respect that even though I may not cover it.

This post is obviously tongue-in-cheek.

Don’t take it too seriously. I meant no harm to anyone. As I said earlier, I believe in goodwill hunting.

Here’s a quote from Earl Hickey to end this post: “Do good things and good things happen. Do bad things and it’ll come back to haunt you.”

Karma is a bitch.