PR Peeps I Recommend
November 3, 2009 by
Filed under PR Talk
I received a lot of great feedback about the post I did on getting mom bloggers started with product reviews. So, what is the step after you have signed up with those companies? Getting your name out and creating personal relationships with PR people.
So, yeah, that can be kind of scary to just ‘cold call’ on a pr rep. Guess what? A lot of times they are just as nervous to reach out to you. Sometimes, they are actually afraid YOU will reject THEM. But, not to worry, I work with some really great reps and I asked a few how they would feel about having you reach out to them. The ones I listed below would be thrilled to get an introduction from you. They are listed in no particular order at all. Just send them a note introducing yourself and what your blog is about. Tell them a little about “your average reader” and what types of projects you see being a good fit for you. You really don’t need to send them stats. They can look that up really easily when they get to know you and on that note, don’t ever, ever ’stretch the truth’ on your numbers. It takes 2 seconds for them to use the very basic level of compete.com to check you out and from my experience, getting pitched for certain things is not always about your stats. Most of the time, they are looking for people who are genuine, authentic, and can reach the target audience. In other words, are you a good fit?
My sample intro for this blog would probably go like this *edit note: lots of pr peeps are telling me that they are getting a copy and paste of the below from bloggers. Please be original. This is only a sample:
“Hi, my name is Barb and I was reading on Elementary Spirits that you are looking to connect with some new bloggers. I typically write about my family, homeschooling, and blogging. I would say that most of my readers are moms, and some are bloggers themselves. I would love to work on any family friendly pr campaigns you have coming up. I really enjoy writing about science, reading and charitable events. If you could keep me in mind for any future projects, I would really appreciate it!”
I have purposely left out what brands these reps work with. They are more than invited to leave a comment with more specifics on their clients if they would like. Some, it will be pretty darn obvious 
I think it is more important to connect with them on a personal level first. Some of these reps work with many different clients or work in offices that cover 100’s or 1000’s. Just like with us, they tend to pass on the names of good bloggers to each other.
- Nora Sarrawi: nsarrawi AT webershandwick DOT com
- Josslynne Welch: jwelch AT litzkypr DOT com
- Elizabeth Cron: ECron AT webershandwick DOT com
- Susan Wells: susan AT stevespangler DOT com
- Jeff Esposito: jesposito AT vistaprint DOT com
- Melissa Garcia: @fastfixin on twitter
- Marie Baker: mb AT childsplaypr DOT com
- Erin Connolly: Erin.Connolly AT adventure DOT com
Above are some of my favorites that said it was OK to share their information. Toni-Lynn has a full list of brands on twitter on her site. Once your name gets out into the blogoshere as someone looking to work with brands, you will need to start setting your guidelines. I will talk about that in a future post. For now, enjoy getting to know some new people!
The comments are open to any PR rep who would like to leave their contact info for bloggers to reach out to them. Also, bloggers, feel free to do a little self-pitchin’ in the comments too!
Thanks for stopping by! I am Barb, an ex-public school teacher turned professional blogger and forum owner. Read all about our family antics as we muddle through the chaos that occurs daily when you mix a work-at-home-mom with homeschooling tween and teen boys. Hey, at least I am giving my kids something to talk about in therapy when they get older...
Thanks so much for including me in your post, Barb! I would love to hear from any of your readers who are interested in working with JumpStart. For anyone who doesn’t know us already, JumpStart makes learning games for kids – both online at http://www.JumpStart.com and on CD. My email is above or, if you prefer Twitter, come see me at @JumpStart_Erin. Hope to hear from you soon!
Hi Barb,
Thank you so much for including me on your list. If anyone reading this would like to work with me on anything feel free to use my email above or on Twitter @jeffespo. I am easy to work with and respect your schedule.
Jeff Esposito´s last blog ..What happens to bad holiday cards?
Barb! Thanks for all those kind words. What a great post! I think it’s true that the nervousness can go both ways.I think it’s important to remember that we are all just people at the end of the day
So whether it’s about a project I am working on or just to connect and say “hi,” I always enjoy hearing from bloggers. As Barb pointed out in the post you can e-mail me or you can find me on Twitter @TeamMomMedia . Thanks again Barb!!
Great list Barb! I recognize a few of the interesting peeps there.. I’ll be sure to connect with the rest!
cheers,
Carissa
Hey Barb- thanks for including Nora and I on your list. It’s been a true pleasure working with you as well! Long live the blogtourage!
Any of your readers interested in Oscar Mayer brands like Lunchables, Hot Dogs, Deli Creations ect can feel free to email me. We also represent a lot of other mom-centered brands such as Milk, Suave, Campbell’s ect. Weber Shandwick has a boatload of awesome clients, so there should be something for everyone.
Thanks again!
Barb, your post seemed to have read my mind! Thank you for helping to support other bloggers like myself!
Rachel´s last blog ..Using Binders to Organize Your Life/Learning
What a great list! I, too, have worked with a few of those great PR peeps, and I’m sure the rest of them are fabulous as well!
This is great! Thanks so much! I have been wanting to do some reviews etc. for awhile and didn’t know where to start.
Thanks again!
~Liz
Liz@HoosierHomemade´s last blog ..Maple Walnut Cupcakes
Barb, thanks so much for including me on your list. I’m honored and look forward to connecting with your readers! You can email me or find me on Twitter @Josslynne
Litzky PR is a boutique agency that specializes in childrens toys and family entertainment. Women owned and run, we’re super friendly and enjoy working with bloggers
Don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Thanks for this!
Thanks so much for including us in your list! I am so glad that you posted that nervousness goes both ways!Fast Fixin’ is very new to Social Media or advertising of any kind. I want to say kudos to all the wonderful bloggers out there! You patience and guidance is what is helping to shape us our Social Media dept. for 2010!
Melissa
Late to the party, but thanks for putting together this list Barb! I’m forwarding it to other bloggers I know who might be interested.
Thank you for this post Miss Barb, it is very helpful and appreciated!
God bless,
Crystal
Crystal Martin´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Holy COW!
Thanks for the great list! I recognized some of the names as I’ve worked with them and they are great to work with! That was also awesome of the PR to let you list them, kudos to you and them!
Thank you for this informative post! I am super shy one-on-one but I will definately try working up my courage to contact some of these PR reps.
Thank you!
Mirage´s last blog ..Chicklet cut her own hair.
Barb,
Thank you for offering such valuable information here. I’m glad for two reasons – one, for myself and Imagination Soup and two, for a new social media client, Ripple Reader. Ripple Reader gives family the opportunity to record themselves reading a picture book and send it to a special child. If anyone you know, or you, is interested, I can offer the product to review and giveaway. (www.ripplereader.com)
You’re a rock star. I love this blog!
Melissa Taylor
meltay at comcast.net
@melissataylor
@imaginationsoup
Barb,
Thank you so much for this post and list. I am new to the whole PR aspect of blogging and was desperately trying to figure out how to go about getting reviews. I have a great readership for my free sample site, and have started a blog section where I would like to start reviewing there exclusively. Your post has given me a direction to go in and I think you are wonderful for doing this
I loof foraward to creating new relationships with PR reps and making new friendships as well.
My recent post Received Samples – December 2009
Just now stumbling across your blog, but I am a fast fan! Thank you so much for your advice (with this column, and your more recent PR posts); they are incredibly helpful. I’m definitely going to reach out and touch– I mean, contact– some of these folks!
~Elizabeth
My recent post New Year, New You!
Glad that you made your way here! Love your sense of humor already!
What a great article, I have subscribed to your site. I glad I found it.
My recent post Select Tag Books 4.99 At Target
Thank you for this info. I have been looking for a good post on this topic!
God Bless!
My recent post El Pollo Loco Coupon
Thanks so much for all the information you offer!
I have a bilingual site directed to mommies, especially the growing Latino segment. If any of you need publicity for you products in this segment I could help you by doing a review and giveaway and also direct you to other Latina mommy bloggers.
Thanks!
My recent post I got a FREE half-gallon of Chocolate Milk!/Me dieron medio gal�n de Leche con Chocolate!
Wonderful information! I know I would love to break into doing reviews and writing about different products. I know I have been through it all, I held back ,writers block (you don't know how many hours I sat and stared at my blog),thinking what am I to do this this blog and what did I get myself into! It took some time but I feel ready to expose myself (in a nice way LOL) ,take the bull by the horns and jump in.
Thanks for the PR information ,I will be writing to them.
My recent post I Heart Skin MD Natural Lotion Giveaway
Thank you for the information! I signed up as a subscriber!
Thank you so much for sharing. I was looking for a list of PR reps but had trouble finding one. This is such a great help!
My recent post Wordless Wednesday: Love Sculpture
Thanks for this info. I am a newcomer to the Blogsphere but very excited about doing product reviews, testing and giveaways.