Book bloggers: Why your contact information matters

[Paula Krapf]

A little discussion got going on Twitter a couple of days ago and it inspired me to write a blog post from my PR perspective on what we look for and like to know before pitching a blogger. I thought you might find it useful, and the post includes examples of reviewing policies. Feel free to add yours! http://amarketingexpert.com/ameblog/?p=702.

[sheistoofondofbooks]

Great info, Paula! Thanks for pointing us to your post.

[Lisa @ Books and Cooks]

I agree! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[Bermudaonion]

After I saw the discussion on Twitter, I changed my contact page - feel free to make further suggestions.

[Jo]

Thank you so much for the info! I have changed my profile to make things clearer. Thanks!

[The Book Faery]

The one I've recently added due to the number of requests I've had recently over the last couple of months is here: http://tbfreviews.wordpress.com/review-policy/. Prior to writing mine up I did research off of others blogs and pulled what worked for me personally. When I work directly with authors via e-mail I typically do a rundown on what's expected of them and of me but still having the review policy posted helps a lot since most of their questions are stated.

[Paula Krapf]

I'm so glad you are finding this useful. I've been posting the updated policies on my blog as I learn of them for further ideas.

Kathy, I like your updated contact page, and I'll add it to the post. It's very clear and concise!

Book Faery, I like your review policy page as well, it offers a great rundown of all you do!

Jo, I think your policy look good, too. Thanks for posting!

[Blaine Dixon]

One annoying thing is to research bloggers and find NO contact information whatsoever. I take that to mean that they are not open to annoying submissions and prefer to pick and choose in a picky matter? :)

[Paula Krapf]

I suppose you could just leave a comment on the site, but I do think if contact information is missing then it's intentional. People create and maintain blogs for different reasons. Some may not want to accept review copies, and that's OK.

[Blaine Dixon]

The ones Im talking about provide no contact information whatsoever. But then some through what can only be badly designed sites have the contact information either in microscopic text or buried in a page below the main page, so I and everybody would appreciate contact information in a prominent place on the entry page in large type bright colors and bells and whistles. This problem extends not only to book reviewers but to all kinds of web sites.

[Paula Krapf]

I've been there, seen that. I have to agree with you! Although I will say I've come across sites where I got the distinct feeling that the blogger was not too interested in being contacted - the blog was for his or her personal use. And that's OK. I think the key issue is that anyone with a blog or website (or some online presence) should decide whether or not they want to be pitched. If the answer is yes to pitches, then it's best to spell out how people should contact you and what your criteria are - in this case for reviews, guest blogging, interviews, giveaways, etc.

[Emily Veinglory]

A timely reminder.

[Wrighty]

Thank you so much Paula! This was very valuable information for me and I replied to your article. I haven't had a blog long and I didn't think I had a need for a policy yet. Now that I'm starting to be contacted by authors and publishers I've been looking at other bloggers' information to help me decide what I wanted to include. Your article gave me a great source to refer to. Thanks for your help!
~Debbie (Wrighty)