PR/Blogger Relations Manifesto

PR Blogger Manifest

Today’s Post is a re-print of a terrific article I found that I believe every travel blogger should read.

The author, Lisa Gerber of Big Leap Creative, graciously agreed to let me re-publish her wonderful advice to bloggers, which was inspired by her trip to TBEX10 last month.

So without further ado, here is Lisa’s article – be sure to read more about Lisa and check out more from her blog linked below:


Author: Lisa Gerber

I just returned from the Travel Bloggers Exchange Conference (TBEX) in NYC. I learned a lot of things and met a lot of great people in both travel writing and PR. At the “Working with PR” panel, it was eye-opening to discover that many bloggers don’ understand the role of PR. I was dismayed, however, to discover that many are loathe to work with PR. I would venture to say that they, too, don’t understand the role of PR. Or let me rephrase: they don’t understand what the role of PR should be.

The relationship between a blogger and PR pro can be a beautiful and mutually productive one. Travel bloggers/writers, please don’t feel like you have to go wash after you’ve worked with us.

Our relationship should be one of collaboration; an understanding of each others goals, and how we can help each other to achieve them. You want to travel and tell stories of the places and people. We want to encourage that. We have destinations and products that can help create experiences. You have a dysfunctional business model. If you are trying to generate revenue, you can’t possibly afford to experience everything you write about it if you had to cover all your expenses. We can help bridge that gap.

The truth of the matter is, there are good writers/bloggers and there are bad writers/ bloggers. There are good PR reps, and there are lame PR reps. Our jobs are to scope each other out and make sure we are each dealing with the “good” and not the “bad”.

I’ve created this Good PR/Good Blogger Manifesto aka The Eight Step Program to a loving PR/blogger relationship:

  1. Understand Each Others Goals Part 1: (understanding travel writers’ goals) In the Saturday morning TBEX10 panel, Travel Writing: Upping Your Game, travel, writers Don George and Alison Stein Wellner said that good travel writing is not about recounting the situation, it’s about telling the story. Your goal is to weave a story, a lesson. My role as PR is to facilitate that, and get out of the way. We’ll establish that in our initial communication. How can I help you find your story? I’ll point you in the right direction, or set up an introduction, and then I’ll get lost.
  2. Understand Each Others Goals Part 2: (understanding PR’s goals) I have to show my clients the value. This will never go away. I’m guessing this is why some of you hate us; because you are an artiste and are opposed to defending your worth. I understand that. But you are also a business, and my clients are a business. So we have to “sink to this level” and make sure we’re a fit. If you are contacting me, I need help understanding who you are and who your audience is. Just like I do my research before I pitch you, please do yours and let me know that this indeed can be mutually beneficial.
  3. Research before Reach-out: If I’m contacting you, it’s because I’ve been following you and I’ve done the research. I enjoy your stories and I think my client might have something interesting to offer you and your readers. Rene Mack with Weber Shandwick said it. “We are not trying to reach an audience of a million people.” We are trying to reach an audience of 10 who will take action based on your stories, then tell their stories to ten others, and so on and so on. (wait, isn’t that a shampoo commercial?)
  4. Just say no to Group Fams: I know you hate them. I do too. If I wouldn’t want to go on the trip, why would you? Where’s the story in THAT? the reader doesn’t want to hear about how the OTHER journalist on the bus spilled his coffee all over your lap ruining the day and all the museum tours for you.
  5. Spam sucks: A good PR person promises to never spam and mass email lame press releases. I do send pitches out, and news updates. It’s a great way to keep in touch, and I do my best to make sure they fit. I won’t send you, the sustainable travel blogger a pitch on an ATV tour. I might, however, send you something about refillable wine bottles. I don’t expect you to act on every one of my updates/pitches. HIT THE FREAKING DELETE BUTTON AND MOVE ON. sheesh.
  6. PR does not control the story: I never require visiting writers to write about something specific. I know, and my client knows, we don’t control the story. We trust you won’t take advantage of us because we’ve had lots of communication prior to your arrival. Of course you wouldn’t accept our offerings if you knew it wasn’t a fit for your audience. If you have a negative experience, we know you will write about it. That’s the risk we take.
  7. We Love What We Do: the good writers and the good PR people just love what we do. I am passionate about my clients, you are passionate about your outlet (blog, podcast, etc). I swear, I am not a cheeseball talking head. I am a normal, fun person to work with. I get to make new friends, and share with them destinations and products that I truly believe in. I get to meet you for wine, coffee, a bike ride, or a ski day. I introduce you to people you might find interesting. I listen to your needs and plan appropriately.
  8. You; appreciate it by being a friend back (ok, well, we’re not ALL going to be friends), and sharing your stories with your audience (the good and the bad). You don’t ask me to be your babysitter or your concierge. I know you can look up the weather yourself. I also know you know how to use google maps.

If we have a deal, sign on the dotted line, and let me help you create great content.

~Lisa

Editor’s Note: Lisa wrote a follow-up blog post titled “The Value of Bloggers to your Business” that I also think should be read by every travel blogger!

About Trisha Miller 116 Articles
Trisha Miller Editor-in-Chief, TravelWritersExchange.com - Trisha joined the Travel Industry in 1996 with a background in telecommunications and helped to build (and later sell) one of the industry's top inbound call centers specializing in air travel. Her career in Travel Writing began with creating destination-specific content for a corporate travel intranet, and continued as she contributed content to a large number of travel-related companies that were establishing an online presence throughout the late '90's and early '00's. Currently she is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, and a former Board Member of the International Food, Wine, and Travel Writers Association (2009-2015).  Still a frequent world traveler, and occasional guest-blogger on a number of other Travel Blogs, Trisha writes about travel and technology, sometimes both at the same time. You can follow Trisha on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/TravelWriting

6 Comments

  1. Thanks for the honest info, Lisa. I agree with all of it! The relationship between the PR rep and the travel blogger/writer is important. It’s important for both to be honest with what they need and follow through. I have been on those press trips with the writer who doesn’t really want to be there. I could never understand why. What a waste for everyone!

    • I can’t even imagine why someone would go on a press trip if they had no interest or article opportunities….you’re right, what a waste, particularly for the trip host….sad.

  2. Excellent post.
    I have a couple of questions. Are there pr people out there that work as a team with the Travel Blogger? Should a travel blogger actively seek out a PR representative and collaborate? ie. They can help promote an idea for the Blogger? Or does a PR representative normally seek out a writer or blogger for a one off pr trip?
    We would love to work with a PR person regularly. It is an idea that we hadn’t thought of before. Any tips on how one can go about doing that?
    Thanks for another informative article!
    .-= Dave and Deb´s last blog post: Ulitmate Travel Playlist – The Song are Coming in! =-.

    • Thanks! And the answer to both of your questions is yes!

      There are some PR people out there who really understand the value of a good PR/Blogger relationship, and who work to ensure that it’s mutually beneficial.

      For example, I got very lucky in finding Lisa Gerber – she’s very smart and savvy, and loves to work with bloggers (and has started to blog herself). A savvy PR person can help with ideas for travel bloggers, because they know what their clients are looking for in terms of ‘buzz’, and can help a good blogger find the right story angle to create that buzz….

      And yes you should actively seek out a few PR contacts who specialize in the hospitality industry (like Lisa does) and work on creating that solid relationship. It certainly can lead to more press trip invitations, as well as many other opportunities.

      Networking is a great way to connect with PR folks – you’ll often meet them at conferences, but don’t limit yourselves to just writer/blogger conferences, there are a number of travel industry conferences you could attend as well. And don’t be afraid to ask other bloggers who DO already work with PR firms to put you in touch with those firms. Start by working with just one or two and branch out from there.

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