I told myself I would never do this. I would never turn into one of those snarky bloggers that rails on PR people. I'm a PR person -- have been for 17 years. I get what it entails. I get that as a discipline, blogger outreach is still new and no one's really figured it out yet. With the kadrillion blogs out there, it's not always possible for pitches to be perfectly targeted and tailored. I get how mistakes can be made, misunderstanding can happen.
But this one was different.
It was from a guy and here's how it started:
"Howdy,
Sorry to take your mind off White House party crashers or the infidelities of Tiger Woods.....but.....this might interest your readers as it’s targeted towards women 30 and older."
Huh??? It went on to pitch me and my women readers over 30 (which he helpfully clarified as MOMS) on a video game put out by a band-who-shall-remain nameless who seems to ultimately be hawking an upcoming Christmas album.
Maybe it was the frustration of getting the 10,000th holiday pitch that had nothing to do with my blog. Or maybe it was the Oprah episode I watched yesterday about sexism around the world and atrocities against women. But this one just sent me over the edge.
I don't know what happened. The response just seemed to write itself:
Well, actually my mind's been on health care reform and the war in Afghanistan, but I can see how you would be confused. Us "MOMS" are usually consumed with celebrity affairs and reality star scandals which is what we think about while we're baking cupcakes and watching laundry detergent commercials.
If you had read my blog, you'd know that while yes, some of my readers are women and might like games, I would have zero interest in writing about a video game because that's not what I write about (unless maybe it was about women waging war on the injustices of the world and taking out all of the stupid people.) My blog is about moms speaking up for themselves and that's what I'm doing right now. "MOMS," and women 30 and older in general, don't appreciate being stereotyped and condescended to (seriously? tabloid stories?). While I know that's not what you intended to do with your note, you did it all the same. And by the way, the only thing worse than listening to [nameless lame-ass 80's band] music is listening to [nameless lame-ass 80's band] CHRISTMAS music. Did I mention I was Jewish?
So while we're playing inconsiderate and annoying stereotypes, let me return the favor by lumping you in with all of the clueless PR people who have no idea how to reach out to bloggers -- especially us "MOMS." Please read this article http://www.globalprblogweek.com/archives/the_pr_lessons_of_a_.php. It might help you be better at your job.
P.S. I never wanted to become one of those snarky, rude bloggers that eat PR people for lunch, particularly since I'm a PR person in real life myself. But you pissed me off. So congratulations. You pushed me over to the dark side.
Yes, I sent it. Too much?
4 comments:
Hee hee.
Speaking out and speaking up indeed.
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to my cupcak-- I mean my work for NASA.
My fave are the pitches that start "Mr." then just leave the name blank. Lazy bastards.
OMG. I'm rolling. Seriously, now please excuse me, I need to get back to my Entertainment Weekly.
Tricky...tricky. Good for you. I try not to get roped into such PR schemes. I work from home and have seen many "get rich quick promises" it’s scary. I’m so glad I am able to work from home for a reputable company.
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