BlogOn Conference PR Firm, Porter Novelli, Has No Blog

get over yourself. it seems like you're bitter b/c you didn't get a free pass.

Hello again, BL.

I wanted to follow-up on our email discussion regarding the possibility of you becoming a BlogOn 2005 Social Media Summit "evangelist."

First, in response to your comments about Porter Novelli, I think it's important for you to know that we hired them specifically to help create relationships between the professional journalists that follow social media and BlogOn's sponsors, speakers and Social Media Innovators.

One of the most important things we learned from our inaugural BlogOn event is that bloggers have other ways to contribute to the conference's community.

That said, over the last few weeks, we've talked to a number of professional bloggers and blog experts whom we know about the fact that Guidewire Group is hosting BlogOn 2005 in NY this October to focus on the business side of social media. Not just blogs, but social media of all kinds - including syndication feeds, social networking services, podcasts, etc.

These bloggers are friends and colleagues who are supportive of the conference's goal, which is to help marketing and communications executives who aren't currently using social media in their businesses very extensively learn how to do so. And to do so well. So, internally, we've been referring to our supporters as "evangelists."

To thank them for their willingness to spread the word through their blogs and personal networks, we've offered them a complimentary pass to join us at the summit. We've also created a special BlogOn 2005 logo for their blogs, and have offered them a discounted rate (which you know about) of $695. That rate is good for the first 5 people each "evangelist" refers.

Now that you know more about what we've been doing, please let me know if you're interested in being part of this referral process. If so, I will send you the BlogOn logo and create a unique discount code so up to 5 of your blog readers can get the $695 rate too. And you will receive a complimentary pass for yourself.

Thanks,
Natalie

Conference Marketing Director,
BlogOn 2005 Social Media Summit

I don't think that turning down your press pass request had anything to do with what you have written about PR firms in the past.

I had commented on another blog post that stated that all tradeshows need to invite bloggers by asking 'where do you draw the line?' If you invite bloggers as press, and anyone can set up a blog, are you going to be left with any paying attendees?

Jeremy: Sure anyone can set up a blog. But not anyone can have a worldwide audience for their blog; thousands of other blogs linking to their blog; a record of covering new media conferences as press for the past 4 years; several dozen published articles in major media citing them as a blog expert; or several dozen articles they've written over the past many years about the impact and business of blogging.

Well, don't take it personally. I asked for a press pass at DEMO - it's literally down the street from my office in Scottsdale - and was turned down. I shrugged, set-up an interview with Chris Shipley for my blog, and moved on.