More insight into the BLOG. Everything you need to know

I would like to continue on the idea of the blog. What exactly is a blog and how can it help? As you can tell from my previous post, a blog did wonders for Robert Scoble, so how can you too receive those results? A blog is not a endeavor for a genius. It doesn't entail endless amounts of HTML code, but, instead, there are programs that are extremely straight forward and will help you through the whole process. So don't worried.

First, why are blogs so effective? Well, in a sense, a blog is just a person giving there two cents. It is personal opinions and thoughts, which causes controversy but also guidance. A blog represents power through truth. It is important to remember that not all blogs are reliable sources and may possibly not have correct information, but, even so, it is a tool that the public responds well to. It allows anyone in the public to have a voice and share their experience and thoughts giving the writer a breath of fresh air as well as providing insight on a subject to others. Steve Goldstein, CEO of Alacra, explains a blog when saying "Certainly AlacraBlog is valuable for us as a way to get our name out there...By blogging I am able to put a face on [our] company," (Scott, 2007).

How do you find blogs?
Blogs are all over the Internet. The easiest way to find a blog is to search through a search database under the subject you wish to find. Most likely a blog will show in the results. There are more ways to find specific blogs and these can be found on Lauren Vargas and Kami Huyse's blog where they share six tips on how to find journalist who blog.

Things to remember when pitching to a blogger
There are some things to remember when blogging, especially for a PR practitioner. It is not smart to just send a traditional press release to a blogger. They are bombarded by releases and really just don't care. Instead, show interest in their blog. What are they writing about and how does it relate to your client. How are you messages similar? It is key to never lie to a blogger. Do not say that you've been following their blog for weeks when really you just looked at it for the first time. They will see through you and not want to write about your pitch. Make comments on the the blog, show interest and form a relationship. It is more likely that a blogger will respond to someone who has showed a genuine interest in their blog and ideas. Below is a video that was created by a blogger that may help clarify any questions. It is a bit long, but try to listen to the whole thing. It's interesting. ENJOY :)



Find that interesting? Also check out Something Is Very Wrong in PR Land.

Scott, David Meerman. The New Rules of Marketing and PR : How to Use News Releases, Blogs, Podcasting, Viral Marketing, and Online Media to Reach Buyers Directly. New York: Wiley, 2007.