Blog Publicist
I wanted to get your thoughts on a subject that I’ve been thinking of for a while, since my professional blogger for hire post a few weeks ago. That post was exasperation at my unpredictable employment situation. I hear people ask how I find time to blog. How do you know what to blog about? What’s the big deal about blogs? Those are questions I haven’t asked.
I never tire of blogging. One time I thought I did for about a week, but it passed. The happier I am, the more I blog. I need it. I can’t imagine not blogging. So I thought, why not get paid to do something I love doing?
So I was brainstorming with a friend who also got laid off and we were a little down. Not ones to be passive, we started to think of our own company. I wanted to be a blog publicist (or bloglicist). We will write your company’s PR blog. It wouldn’t be an in-depth community blog written by an insider. Instead, it would chronicle the stories of a company. The inside scoop, the less formal voice and personality.
Today I got an email asking for advice about hiring someone to promote their product on blogs and forums. I gave it my best shot, which is it’s a fine line and you’ve got be careful. Transparency is best. If you aren’t completely open about what you are or aren’t, you’ll get found out and you’ll get peanut butter in your face (since that Yahoo manifesto, it’s not mud in your face, it’s sticky peanut butter).
I tried to reach a blog strategist who just moved to Utah but I haven’t gotten a response and the comments aren’t working for me on his blog. So I thought I’d turn it to you. What are your thoughts on companies getting bloggers to promote their products? Who is doing it well? Would you hire a blog publicist? How much would you pay for one?
I guess I wonder if this is a viable idea with enough demand. I know what I could offer and what I couldn’t offer. I see several people list blog ghostwriting as a service they offer along with others. I’d just want to be the blog publicist, nothing else.
I appreciate your feedback, as always.
4 Responses to “Blog Publicist”
Leave a Reply
November 30th, 2006 at 5:13 pm
Drop me a line I would be happy to chat with you. I have been doing what you speak of since about 2004. It’s not quite as easy as you might think.
Jim
November 30th, 2006 at 8:20 pm
There is a very good article this month on Inc. Magazine about how the company Bzzagent used a guy to write their blog and what they are doing now with Banto blog
November 30th, 2006 at 8:52 pm
Jim, thank you! It will be good to talk to you.
Sharhar, I’ll look for that article. I will blog about your new game when I get a chance – it’s in my mind to do!
Janet
December 3rd, 2006 at 10:34 pm
I don’t know much about this field but it is something I would be interested in doing as well. I currently maintain two blogs fairly regularly and, like you, really enjoy it.
I know someone else here that maintains third-party blogs for pay. This reminded me to make some time and ask him how he gets those leads. I’ve love to be able to do that.