Bloggers – You need to read this! Interview with a PR/Digital Marketing Manager
Bethanie is a PR/Digital Marketing Manager in a creative search agency. She’s also a blogger and she lives in Newcastle.
Interview
What is your ideal blogger and what makes a blogger stand out and get noticed?
An ideal blogger for me is someone who has a combination of what I believe are ‘good’ qualities.
The first is an up to date blog with a good balance of natural and sponsored content (same goes with banner ads). The second is being friendly, and time-aware. Third is passion for it – if I send you an email offering something for review, I’d expect a ‘hello’ back, not just a list of products you’d like to receive (this is a rarity!)
My favourite bloggers are the ones that are updating me regularly and tell me when the post is live! I also love a good natter with a blogger and finding out a bit about them and their lives, good or bad. I have been known to send pictures of Ryan Reynolds when someone is having a tough time.
Do you mind bloggers contacting you directly looking for work?
Not at all, a good pitch is always welcome. We like to know what features are coming up and some of your ideas. Sometimes I feel bad because I can’t reply to them all but it’s purely a case of not having enough time! A little tip is to not email us on a night time! Sounds strange but it just gets lost in the pile of emails we come into on a morning.
What’s the best pitch you’ve ever received?
What’s the best pitch you’ve ever received?
I can’t pick one out from the top of my head, but the good ones are always clear, concise and quite snappy. I know it’s tricky as bloggers don’t know all of the clients I have, but it’s good to have a few ideas rather than ‘have you got anything I can work on?’
What makes you pick one blogger over another?
What makes you pick one blogger over another?
We try to pick sites that don’t have too much advertising on the sides, and blog because they are driven by their interest in the subject and not money. We can easily tell if it’s just sponsored post after sponsored post that the site is just churning out anything! Especially if you’re a parenting site writing about soldering irons (I kid you not I have seen this before).
How do you find bloggers to work with? (Twitter, Facebook, direct contact etc)
How do you find bloggers to work with? (Twitter, Facebook, direct contact etc)
We use a lot of different things, Twitter and Follower wonk is good to search twitter profiles with a good social following. We also use simple searches and recommendations round the office, along with the database of sites we’ve already worked with.
Why are the majority of PR’s London centric?
Why are the majority of PR’s London centric?
I don’t know! A lot of people think that there’s not much up here above Manchester, but we have a load of local clients who host really exciting events and parties!
From a PR point of view is blog content as important as blog statistics or is the assumption that because stats are good, content is good?
From a PR point of view is blog content as important as blog statistics or is the assumption that because stats are good, content is good?
I think both come hand in hand. If a blog has amazing stats but hasn’t posted since December its a bit of a turn-off. Similar for the other way round – if you’ve loads of great original content, we can see that the blog is growing, and our brand will hit a lot of eyes as it grows.
Why do lots of PR’s assume bloggers will work for free?
Why do lots of PR’s assume bloggers will work for free?
This is a tricky one for me as I’m on both ‘sides’! I think us PRs know that bloggers must have a passion for the niche they are blogging about. If ourselves or one of our clients think we have produced something really exciting we will share it with bloggers, in the hope they will want to share it too.
What would you advise a blogger to include in a pitch?
Ideas, a few stats and maybe an example post. I suppose all PRs are different but I don’t like people smacking me in the face with their media pack straight away!
Do you feel some bloggers have a sense of entitlement? That they feel they should be given products to review or paid content because they’re seen as ‘big bloggers’?
Do you feel some bloggers have a sense of entitlement? That they feel they should be given products to review or paid content because they’re seen as ‘big bloggers’?
I can’t tar all bloggers with the same brush, but some definitely do! On a lighter note, some are very humble in what they do!
Do you have any do’s and dont’s for bloggers when it comes to working with PR’s and brands?
Cor blimey, where do I start! Do: Let us know if there’s anything wrong, i.e. product isn’t right, the post won’t be up on time. A big ‘don’t’ for me is to discuss us/our opps in forums/Facebook groups! I get a bit shirty with this as I’ve seen some of the things that have been said directly about me! It’s also easy to tell when my opps have been shared as I get an influx of emails around the same time too.
Do some bloggers get ‘blacklisted’ if they fail to deliver a post on time?
I’m quite lenient with posts being late, I rarely set deadlines. Obviously we have our own targets and deadlines but I understand people have lives too! However, if I send products and they don’t get reviewed, or a blogger is particularly rude to me or one of my team I have no problem blacklisting them.
Do you feel bloggers get paid fairly for their time?
Do you feel bloggers get paid fairly for their time?
Personally I do. Blogging is something I love – I don’t do it for the money, and I would still blog if I didn’t get involved with money or brands. To me it’s a way or developing my own style and finding brands/designer I love. I know others run their blog as purely business, but sometimes the heart of it gets lost.
What advice would you give to others working in blogger outreach about working with bloggers?
I think if you’re nice and friendly to people and have a bit of a chat, then that makes a great working relationship. Bloggers don’t want to work with robots, they want to work with people!
54 Comments
Izzie Anderton
April 14, 2015 at 7:31 am
Thanks for sharing the interview with Bethanie – it's all great advice x
Zena’s Suitcase
April 14, 2015 at 7:46 am
This is so helpful Bethanie, thanks for sharing the interview. Great post Emily and thanks for linking up with #MyFavouritePost! I hope I try and get the balance right in my blog, sometimes I don't and that's about juggling the family. I love what I do, the opportunities it gives me and the people I've met so and I wouldn't look back now
Mummy in Training
April 14, 2015 at 8:53 am
Soooo useful!! Something to work from and it all makes perfect sense really! Thanks for sharing. #MyFavouritePost x
Bethan Sian
April 14, 2015 at 9:10 am
Great post! Thanks for sharing.
Great tips I've learnt.
#TwinklyTuesdays
Beth
http://www.life-as-mum.co.uk
Spidermummy
April 14, 2015 at 9:13 am
Ooh that's a great insight, thanks so much for sharing this! x #twinklytuesdays
LittleOandme
April 14, 2015 at 10:07 am
Great post, it's nice to see it from the 'other side'. Fab tips
Popping over from #TwinklyTuesday
Becky xx
Christine Kenny
April 14, 2015 at 10:17 am
Thanks for sharing – great advice. #twinklytuesdays
Ickle Pickle
April 14, 2015 at 11:28 am
Great interview – great tips, thank you for sharing and linking up to #MyFavouritePost x
alifelikeours.com
April 14, 2015 at 12:28 pm
I live in Australia and am no where near monetising my blog, but I found this article really handy – thanks for sharing. Do people really not even say hello and then request a list of things to review??? That's actually a little bit sad isn't it. #twinklytuesday
Ashley Beolens
April 14, 2015 at 1:44 pm
Thank you for sharing this interview (and Bethanie for sharing your thoughts), this is really useful for a small but growing blogger like myself.
Blogger Mummy Lauren
April 14, 2015 at 2:39 pm
Great interview, it is good to hear what a PR is looking for in a blogger. I like that Bethanie has experience on both sides as she is a blogger too. Thanks for sharing this interview, it's very helpful x
#MyFavouritePost
Penny Pincher (Dawn)
April 14, 2015 at 3:03 pm
This such a good post and full of great advice that I myself as a new blogger will take on board; thank you!
Morgan Prince
April 14, 2015 at 3:31 pm
What a great interview, it's lovely to hear the opposite side. Thanks for sharing Bethanie. xx
Vicki Montague
April 14, 2015 at 3:35 pm
A really useful post. Thank you so much for sharing!
Elaine Livingstone
April 14, 2015 at 4:38 pm
Like the other people I think this is a nice post to share, so thank you.
I think manners and two way communication are important for both bloggers and PR so nice to read other aspects.
I have to say I like to send a "thanks but no thanks" type e-mail back if somebody has taken the time to contact me but the opportunity does not fit with me or my blog.
Useful info on not sending in an evening as it gets lost in the next days e-mails.
Sarah Howe – Run Jump Scrap
April 14, 2015 at 8:01 pm
Really interesting post to read. Thanks very much! xx #myfavouritepost
Mary @ Over 40 and a Mum to One
April 14, 2015 at 8:24 pm
Very interesting
Ali @ Mum in a nutshell
April 14, 2015 at 8:42 pm
That's so interesting seeing it from the other side. I've had some lovely email conversations with PR companies. Great to know about the media pack thing, I though that was all they wanted to see and didn't have the time for the little 'chats'. Thanks for sharing this, really helpful. Ali @ Mum in a nutshell
Nickie O’Hara
April 14, 2015 at 9:10 pm
Interesting responses. Thanks to you both for taking the time to pull this together.
Mrs Tubbs
April 14, 2015 at 9:15 pm
Thank you. Useful to know what PRs are looking for as that saves everyone time and stress! #myfavouriteposts
Laura Powell-Corbett
April 15, 2015 at 4:43 am
This is a fantastic post, I haven't worked with any PRs yet just directly with companies so good to know that the sorts of contact I'm making are the right ones! X
Mummy Tries
April 15, 2015 at 9:14 am
What a fantastic interview Bethine, thanks so much for giving us an insight into your world. You've given me plenty of food for thought too, when approaching PRs in the future 🙂 #myfavouritepost
Caroline
April 15, 2015 at 10:47 am
A fantastic post-one I'm sure to refer back to over and over again.
Entertaining Elliot
April 15, 2015 at 1:50 pm
This is a great post and really helpful, thank you!
Emma T
April 15, 2015 at 1:57 pm
Great reference and nice to hear from a pr and blogger.
Amber
April 15, 2015 at 3:11 pm
This is such a useful post! I'd love to make contact with PRs but it's hard to know where to start and I don't want to inadvertently annoy them. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
The Life & Loves of Lolly
April 15, 2015 at 6:23 pm
Such a useful post. Thanks for sharing.
Mrs Puddleducky
April 15, 2015 at 7:55 pm
Such a useful post, thanks for writing. Really interesting to hear from the other side and what they are looking for x
Amy Treasure
April 16, 2015 at 10:28 pm
This is fab, so nice to have some insight. I wish I’d thought about not pitching at night as my email might get lost-I do that a lot as I’m always up late beavering away! I’ve only had lovely experiences with PRs so far and some of them have given me such helpful tips on how I can make my blog more appealing which is nice.
Thanks for sharing x
Christine Kenny
April 17, 2015 at 8:27 am
Very Interesting. Thanks so much for sharing.
Carrie Landeryou
April 17, 2015 at 8:27 am
Such a brilliantly insightful interview – thanks so much for putting this together 🙂
Sophie P
April 17, 2015 at 12:00 pm
What a lovely & interesting post. Some great tips 🙂 #binkylinky
www.justmotherhood.com
April 17, 2015 at 1:22 pm
Great post really interesting to read thank you for sharing x
Mummy Fever
April 17, 2015 at 1:25 pm
Really interesting post thank you – especially about the time not to email 🙂 #BinkyLinky
Jenny Eaves
April 17, 2015 at 1:36 pm
Really interesting, I never really thought about when to email before. Lots of great tips, thanks for sharing! #Binkylinky
Lianne
April 17, 2015 at 1:52 pm
Very informative post. I couldn't agree more that the heart of it gets lost when running blogs purely for business, its easy to spot the blogs that are all sponsored and churn out the posts simply to earn money. I've learnt lots from this post for the future, thank you. #BinkyLinky
Becky Bunting
April 17, 2015 at 2:19 pm
Thanks so much for sharing this – very interesting, especially for newbie bloggers!
X Becca #binkylinky
RaisingMightyGirls
April 17, 2015 at 3:47 pm
Some good points here. As a newbie blogger, I struggle with the stats but feel like I've still something to offer brands. #binkylinky
Pennies Add Up
April 17, 2015 at 6:08 pm
I'm a new blogger and this is really useful information for me in the future, thank you!
Sarah H
April 17, 2015 at 8:46 pm
Very useful and interesting thanks #pocolo
Louise @ Birds and Lilies
April 17, 2015 at 9:02 pm
This is really interesting and helpful – thank you both! And Bethanie sometimes sends pictures of Ryan Reynolds to cheer people up?! I'm off to befriend her!;) xx #PoCoLo
Lukeosaurus And Me
April 18, 2015 at 5:59 pm
Bookmarked! This is such a great interview, thanks so much for posting and sharing. 🙂 Very useful and so great of Bethanie to agree to be interviewed. 🙂 Ray xx lukeosaurusandme.co.uk #binkylinky
schoolgatestyle
April 19, 2015 at 8:34 am
Great post – thank you for sharing. Really useful one for all bloggers to read – regardless how 'big' or established you are! x
Linda Hobbis
April 19, 2015 at 4:35 pm
Really helpful post. I guess PRs are often between a rock and a hard place trying to keep everybody happy.
Lianne Thebrunettesays
April 22, 2015 at 8:27 am
Love this, very interesting, thanks for sharing this! 🙂
Claire Hall – Tin Box Traveller
April 22, 2015 at 10:26 am
I loved reading this as a PR and a blogger myself. It's a really useful perspective to have. I've had some great approaches from PRs and some terrible ones (I want to take those people aside for a chat!). I think when PRs like to receive emails is a bit of a personal thing though. I prefer to look through my inbox first thing in the morning and deal with what's come in overnight. Once 10am comes around I can be away from my desk and in meetings. The emails that come in then often have to wait and might be lost. It's different for everyone x #Sharewithme
Jo of Jo’s Nursery
April 22, 2015 at 11:55 am
Very interesting. Thanks for sharing #sharewithme
Morna Piper
April 22, 2015 at 12:29 pm
Great post – thank you so much!
Claire @ life love and dirty dishes
April 24, 2015 at 10:36 am
Really useful post. Some great tips. Thank-you
Jenny Ripatti-Taylor
April 24, 2015 at 2:17 pm
It's so great to hear from the pr point of view and great to know you are a blogger as well so you understand both sides of it all. Thank you so much for linking up to Share With me. #sharewithme
newcastle familylife
April 24, 2015 at 9:23 pm
Brilliant interview Emily, it is a nice change hearing from a PR's point of view. xx
Emma Chanagasubbay
April 29, 2015 at 8:08 am
Great post with some great advice x
Sanna / Wave to Mummy blog
May 1, 2015 at 6:46 pm
Fab post! I haven't worked with loads of pr folk yet but I've always assumed the normal business rules apply – be nice and show them what you can offer and deliver 🙂 this sort of validates that I suppose 🙂
Great tip on emailing during the day – I can emphasise that as an office worker!
Becca
July 20, 2015 at 11:01 am
Thanks so much for this post I've only just come across – I've only just started up my blog and not working with PRs yet but this is a great set of "ground rules" to bookmark