Comments on: Blogging just got easier (from the inbox)

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:57:56 +0000

I think Carl’s point is well taken, but I respectfully suggest that he missed the real concern (at least in his initial comment). I took this as an offer to allow the blogger to serve as a platform for the other guy’s spam links. (Or, as Josh says, in a phrase I’m going to steal I’m sorry to say, ‘increase their Google juice.’ Love it.)

Or, to put it another way, there still is no such thing as a free lunch.

By: Leopold Stotch

Leopold Stotch — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 22:58:16 +0000

Pfff. I get these for my blog all the time, mostly from music company who don’t bother looking at the content, nor sometimes remembering to swap out the name of the OTHER blog they sent it to, before they send their pitch.
And, I’m not sure if the guy above offered, but they always want you to do this for them, gratis.

OT but, nice job kicking ass in the rink last night!

By: Josh Highland

Josh Highland — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 19:51:11 +0000

Wait, what? They just wanted you to help increase their google juice but they wernt even going to pay you? gtfo

By: Carl

Carl — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:35:56 +0000

You speak the truth. I’m re-reading the email you got and I think I slightly misunderstood what they were offering when I first posted. I spend so much effort encouraging my clients to come up with more content for their sites (only a few of them listen) that I first read it with a different mindset.

For something like this I totally see why you called them out now.

By: mickikrimmel

mickikrimmel — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:34:36 +0000

@Carl: A good blog whether written by an individual or by a group must have a clear, consistent voice. It takes time to build trust with readers. Readers must be able to trust that the content is actually provided by the person or group behind a blog.

Copywriting for companies is a very different animal than copywriting for someone’s personal blog. If you want a blogger to post about your product or service, the best way to approach him/her is to ask. Provide an early look at whatever you’re working on and ask for the blogger’s honest opinion.

@Jackson: There is a clear distinction between making political commentary or calling people out on statements they’ve made publicly and posting the personal information of someone who sent me a private email.

By: Jackson

Jackson — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 19:59:21 +0000

great post Micki but really — you’re trying to tell me you’re not using your blog to point fingers at people… you love to bash palin, mccain and bush. of course i don’t think that’s wrong… just misguided at times

By: Carl

Carl — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 18:59:07 +0000

I’m a little confused here… Is the outrage over the fact that it’s an automated and unsolicited message, or is it what they were offering?

It sounds like they’re offering site content in exchange for advertising instead of money. That’s not a new idea at all and isn’t much different from providing copywriting services (which I see you offer on your Consulting page)

For people who are having trouble making good site content but don’t have the budget for a writer… it seems like a fair enough offer.

And if it’s the unsolicited and automated nature that’s pissing people off then yeah, that’s kind of lame. But it’s really not the kind of spam I see as a problem.

Micki, since you offer similar services to what this guy was trying to do, could you elaborate your take on this?

By: mickikrimmel

mickikrimmel — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:16:42 +0000

I’m not interested in using my blog to point fingers at anyone. However, I thought this post could be valuable as an example of what not to do when reaching out to bloggers.

By: Mike Maddaloni - The Hot Iron

Mike Maddaloni - The Hot Iron — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:01:50 +0000

… and the next thing you know they will want to buy your domain name.

I guess this is called HTM – hand to mouth – rather than word of mouth. Nothing surprises me today, as people will try anything to get onto a blog. Good you did not mention their name.

mp/m

By: the daniel

the daniel — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 18:52:24 +0000

I wish you hadn’t redacted the personal information. This person obviously stands behind their communication strongly enough to send it out to random bloggers, and deserves the public stinkeye for this idea.