This is a great guest post from Laura who writes over at London lifestyle blog six out of ten. She has worked in marketing and PR for the past five years so gives a great insight, having both points of view. She lives in a house with a bright blue door, and has a cat called Manbearpig.
I’ll admit, I don’t work with bloggers as much as I used to. Working in a London boutique PR agency early 2011, though, the situation couldn’t have been further from where I am now. Back then, bloggers were easy wins for me and my client. But we had a few guidelines.
They had to be active bloggers. They had to be good photographers. They had to have an engaged audience, and for real high value comped reviews or products, they had to have a following of over 20,000 real people on twitter.
So what do PRs look for on your blog, before they’ll even consider working with you?
A Media Pack
A media pack, press kit, or media kit (whatever you like to call is) is a simple page on your blog or PDF which allows PRs access to your most current stats and metrics. Your page views, unique visits, top posts, etc. I created a handy guide here of what to include. And note the word ‘current’. I don’t care what your stats looked like 3 months ago. Lots can change. You might have more followers and fans, you might have less. Make sure stats are updated every 3-4 weeks.
A Name
Your blog might be named Kittens and Cuddles, but I’m not going to email you without a name and risk getting called out for being a bad PR. Many bloggers get tetchy about receiving emails starting Dear Blogger, or Dear Writer – I’ve seen the ranting tweets. Come on guys, what the heck am I meant to call you if your identity is as watertight as a superhero’s? Use a faux name if needed, but include something.
An Email Address
Have this on your about page. Make it a part of your media kit. And ideally have it in text, not an image, so I can scrape your site for it. There are a few tools PRs use – one will scan your site for contact details and add it to a spreadsheet automatically. Makes my job easier, makes you visible.
A Location
Six out of ten doesn’t immediately say what I’m about, where I’m from or even what the heck it means. So I have to pay real attention to explaining my focus. Stating I’m a London blogger helps PRs who might be based up north or abroad to narrow down the likelihood of me getting to their venue or hotel – so ensure you add your general location. Even SW or NE helps.
Good Style and Design
This is a subjective one, and to be honest, site design is much of a muchness. Just ensure it’s easy to use, is aesthetically pleasing and well thought out. Even better if you have categories so visitors can search for posts easily – better to have a slightly cluttered sidebar which is navigable than a pretty blog where I can’t find a thing.
Learn ‘Tog’ Basics
I won’t not work with you if your photographs are less than amazing – but they really are important. This doesn’t mean whizzing out to buy whatever SLR camera kit is over at least £700. It means spending time getting to know whatever camera you have, regardless if it’s an iPhone or a point and shoot. Learn about focus, exposure and depth of field and that gets you on the right path.
These are the main things most PRs look for when considering bloggers for their client’s campaigns. Follow these simple tips, and it’ll really help a PR out. Who knows, you may be number one on their list the next time they have a must-buy product that needs a review…
Editor
six out of ten magazine
Great post, and thank you for the tips. One day i might understand how to put together a media pack!!! 🙂 x #MMWBH
This is a brilliant post, I recently updated my ‘work with me’ page but this made me go and change my ‘about’ as well. Do you think it’s better to keep media packs (work with me stats) more minimal when you’ve not been blogging too long. They certainly wouldn’t be the pull to my blog just yet. xxx
What a useful post for bloggers looking at working with PR’s i don;t have a media pack i really must make a one xx #sharewithme
These are really useful tips, thanks for sharing.
Very handy tips – lots to add to my to-do-list!
Good tips, really useful. I don’t have my name specifically in my about me section, usually only in comments. Because most people know me as my blog name due to it being the same as my Twitter name, I’ve never considered it being important. I realise now why it could be I’ve seen bloggers complaining about emails that start “Dear Blogger” as well just never really put the two together until reading this! #MMWBH
Debbie
http://www.myrandommusings.blogspot.com
A great post. I’ve recently updated my About Me & Work With Me pages but I do need to create a media kit too #MMWBH
Very helpful! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Very interesting piece this. I have also worked in the PR industry and find it quite surprising how many bloggers publicly give PRs a kicking. It’s not good practice! Having read this, I am wondering if I should make my location a little more precise on my blog. #MMWBH
I dont have lots of this! I need to up my game. Thanks for this informative post. #sharewithme
I always find these posts really useful, I love getting insight into how PRs work. I would never rant about PRs or anything like that on social media, I don’t think it’s professional. #sharewithme
A really useful list! Thanks for sharing, we’re in the process of a redesign, so this will come in handy x #TheList
Really informative list, I will remember this for the future, thank you xx
#TheList
So useful!
Thanks for sharing… off to plan my media kit!
Thanks
Natalie x
Such a useful post. I really need to do a media pack for the blog but keep putting it off for some reason.
Popping over from #TheList
Becky xx
A great post with fab tips. I really need to work on a media pack but don’t even know where to start. Going to take a look at the linked post. #thelist
Some really useful tips there, good to know and a media kit is top on my list when I get back from holiday. Thanks for sharing #thelist
So please I tick a few of these boxes. Getting a media pack done took me a while but now that is done. Until it needs updating of course!
Thanks for sharing!
#TheList
Really great tips thank you! I’m guilty of having outdated stats…off to update now!
Great list, and very helpful! #thelist
Thank you for this advice. I am about to implement some of the tips you have very kindly handed out. #TheList
Always great to know what prs are looking for and think. I often wonder where I stand with my blog in their eyes. Fab post. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
Great tips. #thelist
This is a really helpful post thank you. I need more followers……..off to write a really amazing post! #TheList
Interesting post hun, although not all PRs ask for a media pack, I certainly don’t get asked more than I get asked for one. Great tips though. Thanks so much for linking up to #TheList x
Great post – thank you for sharing your insight. I have a media pack but like Aby I also find that not all PRs ask for one. #TheList