Freak out: Twitter infested by PR

(I am re-posting my comment here from your TheNumerati.net post)

Steve, Great post - thanks. I think Twitter actually helps us "flacks" to do what journalists are usually complaining about - keep up with what you like, what you don't like and what you are writing about. If Twitter helps us do that won't we ultimately do a better job at pitching/offering resources? I like to think so.

In addition, I like to get to know your side of the business better - it's interesting to me to follow journalists and see what their days are like, reading their personal viewpoints mixed in with their Tweets about their posts and articles. It makes us all just a bit more human.

I don't personally pitch reporters on Twitter unless it's in response to a question being asked. I am sure that, like any outlet (email, phone, fax, etc), different journalists will have different reactions - and they can add "DON'T EVER PITCH ME ON TWITTER" to their MediaMap profile or their bio - any smart PR person will heed each individual journalist's preference regardless.

Thanks again, Christine Perkett PerkettPR
http://www.twitter.com/missusP http://www.twitter.com/PerkettPR

Re: ethics, how does that relate to paid posts? My view is that if you're taking money to write about something, you're creating the appearance of an ethical issue that raises questions about how you will cover that company in the future. And in ethics, the appearance of unethical conduct is as bad as unethical conduct. Moreover, how can readers trust anything a blogger says if they take even one paid post? You never know if they're really sharing an honest opinion, because they will not want to offend (bite) the hand that feeds them. People who earn money by blogging and who don't establish separation between the publishing and editorial functions are, by definition, not ethical--even if they disclose the fact that they are writing a post for cash. That's why "real" journalists (and I include bloggers, not just MSM) don't write advertorials, ad copy, take junkets, etc.

Good post. I agree the mediums are new, and lines get blurry. But keeping to some tried and trues help -- know what a media person covers and make sure what you're pitching is relevant. Re Twitter, some reporters love to get pitches that way, some hate. Need to figure that one out case by case.

I agree with Christine Perkett. I like the fact that PR people are reading my tweets, at least if they are reading the substantive posts that most of the tweets link to. That way they'll follow what I'm writing and, I hope, only pitch me on stuff there's some chance I am interested in. As long as they don;t start pitching me on Twitter--Facebook pitches are bad enough.

I'm a former NYC PR exec and just moved out west. While interviewing for jobs...Facebook, MySpace and yes, Twitter, all came up as #1 targets for PR strategies. Believe me, I'd rather not spend 1 second of my life on these sites, but unfortunately, this is how the game is going to be played. Get used to it people. This nonsensical blogging and rambling words seems to have a large following of soon to be numb-brained humans. PR is always on the heels of the what was recently cool. Soon, Twitter will be on the backburner and replaced with more product placement in lame "my cat is crazy" YouTube videos. Ugh.

(reposting from TheNumerati.net)

Hello Stephen,

I would have never guessed anyone of your stature would have read my post, let alone link it in one of your entries. However, I'm glad some editors feel the same way I do about using Twitter for PR purposes. Since the popularity of Twitter has blow up, it has created massive amounts of potential for all of us to better efficiently do our jobs. I agree with comments made that we have to be transparent and use this as a tool to better understand who we're trying to pitch and not simply add to another mass media list. It adds value to our work since we can follow you and see what you are interested in instead of spamming you a pitch. As a newly graduate, utilizing this technology was never taught to us, but with the core values I learned about dealing with traditional media has transpired to interacting with editors online. The game has changed, but the fundamentals will always be the same.

I wish I knew you were linking to my post, I would have put up a better picture, but hey, it gives me character. If you like you can follow me on Twitter, I know I'll be following you now!

You may want to also check out Yonkly. It's the first "create your own" microblog to integrate with Twitter: http://yonkly.com

Net strangers I call them. While I too work to build big friends lists, in reality I personally know only a small percentage of those in my friends list. I started inviting people more as an experiment, would a total stranger accept my friend request on Facebook. answer, yes. Now in the microblogging world of Twitter, I find much the same. Strangers following one another, chit chatting between massive doses of click-here postings.

http://www.businessblogging.net

Yes, I too am guilty of posting a click-here comment.