I've Pissed Off Some Publicists

Hi BL,

Apologies if we clogged up your email

I admire your thoughts in that communications should be channeled via RSS,blogs, phone, skype, face to face.

Look forwarding to speaking with you soon

regards
Fergus

Whilst at the NewComm Forum, I have had some very good conversations with PR people and PR bloggers. One brought up a good point - as an industry, should we be taking potshots at other PR firms (as is the nature of PR firms), or supporting them? Yes, I have brought up issues that I think are asinine on my blog, but the person made me see her side - at times, we need to get together and circle the wagons instead of just taking potshots.

When I have been pitched, though, I might mention the corporation, but I redact the PR person and agency - to me, that's professional courtesy.

Capulet sent out a press release about an RSS feed because, well, how else are people going to find out about an RSS feed? That, to me, is the biggest flaw in Gillmor's request for no emails, but RSS feeds. Well, to me that means he'll never learn about new companies (because you can't call him, and well, now you can't email him?) unless he catches something in a blog that he reads about.

As I understand it - I just went to the next table at the conference to ask Nooked about RSS feeds, they are now available. If you can let me know, though, how you would have found out about this beyond the personal email, or the request for cash (I mean advertising), that would be great. I, personally, pulled down ads bc it added no value to my blog.

One last point - publicist or public relations? They are quite different.

Fergus: Thank you for responding to my post.

I wasn't complaining about getting an email, I was saying that under the circumstance, there would be better ways to have handled the communication.

I got an email today, containing a press release, about a new ad service, and I wrote back to thank the publicist.

The difference was the context. I would welcome the opportunity to interview you about why/how you started Nooked.

BL

Like I said, I know these publicists through the blogosphere. We have exchanged emails in the past. They could have emailed me personally or called me. Instead, I got a link to a hyped up press release with a ridiculous headline.

It was the content as well as the context that bothered me.

As for circling the wagons: I consider this blog to be a forum for straightforward information. And sometimes that involves naming names.

I said I was a little harsh, and for that I apologize. But my point stands.

Again, how people would find out about an RSS feed besides a press release: 1) a personalized campaign to bloggers and trade press editors, 2) advertising on relevant blogs.

You don't accept advertising, that's your choice. A lot of other people do. Including me.

Well, I guess the full irony is that I would not have known about this post ... if you hadn't emailed it to me. I would have caught it likely in my RSS reader, but I'm behind in my RSS reading.

it is somewhat ironic. But remember, I am not objecting to email or press releases. It was the content, as well as the context, to which I objected.

Emails works when it comes from a trusted source.

And blogging works, as this situation proves, yet again.

Jeremy said ... "Whilst at the NewComm Forum, I have had some very good conversations with PR people and PR bloggers."

Which is why those of us who practice on the East Coast need to organize our own forums and gatherings.

"One brought up a good point - as an industry, should we be taking potshots at other PR firms (as is the nature of PR firms), or supporting them?"

We should be supporting, teaching, cajoling and pushing as hard as we can.

I tell my colleagues that pitching (yes, I hate that word as well) bloggers is like pitching reporters - learn what they are interested in / covering and how they like to be approached and engage them in a conversation, not a lecture.

Just so we're clear, here's what we sent to B.L. in its entirety. It's a cogent, hype-free and personal introduction, and more than just a link to the press release. The emphasis is obviously on introducing the service:

Hi BL,

As an advocate for using blogs and RSS as PR and marketing tools, I thought you might be interested in Nooked, an online RSS service designed for PR and marketing professionals. The idea behind Nooked is to make publishing RSS feeds as easy as sending email, which removes any technical barriers that might discourage marketing folks from using RSS. The official launch announcement is available at http://www.nooked.com/news/pressrelease.do

Cheers,
Julie

Yet again, (and this has to be the 6th or 7th time today that I pointed this out) it's not receiving email that i took issue with. The email pointed to a release with a ridiculous headline of pure hype. the headline: Nooked Rescues Corporate Communications With Online RSS Service. My BS alarm went off immediately.

The website invites visitors to download a presentation about the product in which Dan Gillmor is quoted and his name misspelled. Louder BS alarm.

That said, it sounds like a great service and I plan to use it. I also would like to interview Mr. Burns about his company and its plans.

David... thanks for your suggestion that East Coast PR and communications practitioners also need a conference on blogging. We've received many requests for this as well, and are strongly considering bringing NewComm Forum to NY later this year. Stay tuned for an update shortly. For now we're taking a deep breath after the inaugural NewComm Forum event in Napa and getting ready to hit Paris in April. (It's a tough life but someone's got to do it.)

Glad to hear that NewComm will come to New York. I'll be there with bells on. :>)

It's really hard for those of us who don't have employers to pay our way to go to conferences that involve travel.