Welcome to our monthly feature The PR Desk! Written by PR professional Heather Travis, it guides food bloggers on the ins and outs of navigating the world of PR agencies and brands. This month, Heather shares her top 5 tips for bloggers to up their PR game in the coming year.
Yes, it’s that time of year. The time when we all start to make lists of goals like going to the gym more, travelling more, eating more fruits and veggies, calling our friends more, or simply starting something new. Well, just in case your list isn’t getting big enough I thought I'd add to it with some ideas for upping your PR game in the new year.
1. Update Your Media Kit
A media kit is a valuable tool if used correctly. Don’t just update your numbers; be strategic about the words you use to present yourself. Tell a story and be purposeful about it. For more tips on putting together a media kit read our articles on Putting Together a Media Kit For Your Blog and Media Kits and Pitching Your Blog.
2. Think Big and Get Your Pitch On
If you could think of one big awesome project or collaboration for your blog, what would it be? No matter how big the project, make a list of all the brands and partners you need to accomplish it, write down all the things you’ll do to make it happen and then … make it happen! Do your research, start forming meaningful relationships, do smaller projects that build into bigger ones, and get pitching. The answer is always no until you ask. (Don’t forget to check out the entire PR Desk series on the perfect pitch.)
3. Forget the Numbers and Focus On Quality Content
I think this one kind of speaks for itself. If you focus on great content the numbers will follow; it doesn’t work the other way around.
4. Forget the Numbers and Focus On Quality Engagement
Forget about how many follows/unfollows you got this week. Focus instead on how many comments you got and GAVE. Focus on rewarding others and spreading the love, and it will come back to you.
5. Pick Up the Phone
This might seem like an odd goal, but hear me out. Nothing is ever as valuable for relationship building as a phone call. No text, tweet, or amount of heart shaped emojis can make up for a shared laugh (or cry). The PR people emailing you include their phone number in their signature. Use it. Call them, open up the lines of communication. This one goal will help you achieve all your others, I promise.
More Reading
- Desk: Setting Boundaries for Your Brand
- PR Desk: Working with Brands — Don’t #PRFail, Educate!
- PR Desk: Social Media — What Story Do YOU Want to Tell?
- PR Desk: Be Your Brand — Staying Consistent in Your Messaging
- PR Desk: Five Things To Do Before You Pitch
Heather Travis is a PR professional and lover of all things creative. She has extensive experience developing and implementing integrated public relations and marketing programs for agricultural brands, producers and processors, as well as high end sporting goods. She’s a DIY junkie with a mean power tool addiction, and can often be found painting, refinishing, and scouring both junk yards and antique markets for her next fix … err, piece of content for her blog heatherinheels.com. Find Heather on Twitter @heathertravis and Instagram @heathertravis.
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Loved this timely post! It really solidified the direction I want to take this year when pitching . Thanks Heather and FBC!
Thank you so much Selena for the feedback:) Good luck with your relationship building & pitches!:)
Great post, Heather! We completely agree with you on taking advantage of speaking and communication over the telephone. We look forward to reading your previous PR articles. Thanks again.
Happy to help!:)