Working with bloggers & good PR practices

[Paula Krapf]

It's amazing how Twitter leads to so many discussions. Today began with a Tweet about a PR letter that has to be read to be believed, and I later wrote a blog post about working with bloggers from a PR perspective. I hope it provides some useful information! http://amarketingexpert.com/ameblog/?p=783

Update Friday April 10: I have been in touch with the PR person who wrote the letter, who is now dealing with fallout she never could have imagined. Although she wanted to be firm, she never meant the letter to be taken so negatively. I do feel for her and the challenges she faced with this book, but it should go without saying: err on the side of caution. And honey always works better than vinegar when it comes to asking for favors. :)

[Norm Goldman]

Hi Paula: I read the PR's email you have linked to and frankly here is one PR bookpleasures' will certainly avoid.
This is the first time I encountered a PR rep who dictates the terms of having the "privilege" of reviewing a book for them.
All I can say, "to the garbage can!"

Norm, Bookpleasures.com

[Paula Krapf]

I agree - I could never imagine as a PR person sending out a letter like that (or email or any form of communication). And none of the excuses I have seen work for me - that they were overwhelmed by the success of this campaign, they have legitimate concerns about unauthorized use of the book and so on.

I do think it's great to see an online conversation between PR people and bloggers about what does work, though!

[Luanne]

Whoa - I just went and read the letter Paula. Sorry even with the last line put in she/he does come across as a bully - as a blogger, I would not want to have a relationship with this PR person at all, let alone working with them in the future.

[Paula Krapf]

I can't blame you. Unfortunately, once something like this gets out, it's very hard to undo the damage. And that's too bad!

[Melissa]

I saw this discussion on Twitter the other day, and think the letter is very condescending. That isn't a publicist I would want to work with.

[Paula Krapf]

Many, many bloggers agree with you! I think it's very difficult to have everyone interpret intent when they don't know you - to me, that means err on the side of caution so people I contact can focus on what I'm asking them and that way there are no misunderstandings.

[MariReads]

I read about this on Trish's blog since I don't Twitter. I probably would have sent the book back had I gotten that letter.

[Paula Krapf]

That letter created a bad perception of Quirk and now they have to try to undo the damage. Since my original post, I've exchanged a couple of emails with the PR person who is now dealing with the fallout and so upset that what she meant as a flippant tone in the letter came off so poorly. I do sympathize with her, but I did say it's awfully hard to have irreverence, humor, sarcasm, etc. translate well into a mass communication. Not everyone will get it, and if they are upset, in this day in age it will end up online.

[Laza]

Your post was really great. I had to put my two cents in as well: http://gimmemorebooks.blogspot.com/2009/04/escandalo-or-my-take-on-...

I kinda feel bad for the PR person too. I don't think she should lose her job, as some commenters have said. She just needs a lesson in business writing. Bloggers may write informally, but that doesn't we should be treated that way. I've never worked with Quirk before, but I still would, IF they could prove in subsequent letters that they've learned an important lesson from all of this.

[Paula Krapf]

Great post - I just left a comment on your blog. This incident really had me thinking about good PR practices in this Twitter era, when a reputation can be damaged in a tweet, and also about the changes in book reviewing with traditional outlets cutting back or eliminating review sections and the emergence of book reviewers online. Some of the traditional publishing world is not taking it so well, as evidenced by some Twitter conversations I saw last week, but I suspect that because their own jobs (and futures) are unstable, they feel threatened by and uncomfortable with the changes.

[Marie]

All I know is if I got that letter I would have been very upset. I have a thick skin. But I am a grown up. The PR person is ridiculously going out of her way to be a jerk. So if I managed to even pick up the book (besides to throw it in the trash or against the wall) writing my review on it would have a double bolded asterisk entry: DO NOT PURCHASE BECAUSE THEIR PR PERSON IS DISREPECTFUL AND RUDE AND I AM NOT CONTRIBUTING TO OR CONDONING THAT.

The one person that should NOT be getting FLACK about is the original blogger who posted about it. She has every right to post it, and I am happy to be able to know who to stay away from in the book world. This is done for fun (for me), and when that gets taken out of it there is just no point to it at all.

[Paula Krapf]

I agree that the blogger who wrote about this shouldn't be criticized. I think she raised great points and made a good case for what constitutes acceptable behavior. I didn't think she was overly sensitive (as some charged). There's nothing outlandish about wanting to be treated with respect!