so nice of you to mention the events that have “transformed” you. so proud to work with you.

thanks:)

almas last blog post..My Pilipinas.org - Celebrate Independence

I’ve worked with some PR professionals in the Philippines — and the ones I know are nice enough to share with me the unwritten “rules” of their trade, which include territoriality of client accounts. In other words, I can’t just contact a national newspaper and pitch about my client. The newspaper would then contact the PR company on record (who handles my client in the Philippines) and ask them why someone else is pitching to them.

Which brings me to the next thing. YOUR CONTACTS. They are your lifeblood. You’ve earned the right to be the “gate keeper” of your contacts since they know you, like you, and trust you. When I do my homework to find out who the respected and reputable contacts are for a particular assignment, I never ask a networker outright for a list of their contacts. Instead, I give them my list (based on my research) and ask for their confidential opinions.

When companies ask bloggers such as yourself for recommendations of other bloggers, I would prefer that you do the accepted practice here in the US.

Have the company write a personal e-mail to you for recommendations, explaining what they are looking for. Then, you can forward this e-mail to your friends, who will then respond accordingly — directly to them, cc: you. Now, that’s respectful!

I really don’t like these PR companies asking you outright for your recommendations.

I’ve noticed something about Philippines-based corporations. Many of them have the gall and temerity to ask me for my list of contacts in the Filipino American community.

Another thing: These companies assume that I will blog about their products (sight unseen) here. When I ask these people if they have a media plan, they don’t reply. It means to me, then, that they are not willing to invest in a community-based publicist like myself to help them out in the Fil-Am market, especially when I have the contacts re: the marketing and PR people who can really help them.

Therefore, I make it a practice to promote only the people I’ve gotten to know well — and who are not “forced” on me — and whose life philosophy resonates with mine. Yes, if they walk their truth, that’s the kind of client I want to have.

So, for those PR people in the Philippines who are reading this comment and are guilty of taking advantage of overseas bloggers and PR practitioners (without a PR budget): Do your homework first. Before you decide which websites in the US are respected by Fil-Ams, ask someone like me first regarding who I’ve privately black-listed in the Fil-Am community as Fil-Am journalist pretenders who have been criminally implicated or whose articles clearly smack of being one-sided. Oh yes, I have my own private black list. These stupid opinion-editorialists are the ones who destroy our community’s reputation with their negative crabbing. You’ll know who they are. They boast about having a high Alexa ranking. What you don’t know is that they reprint your posting or article without your permission — and then e-mail you with “By the way, I’ve taken the liberty of posting your article in my website.” They require you to have a name and password to access their website. Sure, great for data mining — and claiming that all these registered people read them all the time. But if you read their content carefully, you will notice that they pretend to be avengers of what’s right and good — and will easily lambast community leaders.

Thank goodness, I’ve never claimed to be a journalist but a community publicist. The Filipino community is the celebrity that I represent — and it is not a paying position. I will fight for whatever is right and just for our communities. In a way, I’m dealing with political PR. I like handling cultural PR, though, such as these book launching events in the US or an ethnic festival.

This subject about PR companies is really quite a sensitive one. I hope this perspective provides some thoughts to discuss with your trusted group of PR people even if it’s about real estate, lifestyles, food, and the like.

I would ask them one question: Will your products and services impact the positive development of sustainable communities?

Enough said.

@lady cess- sometimes a story idea can lead to an entry but it must be something we believe in or endorse.

The thing is, these companies have to understand that bloggers are entitled to their own opinions. They are NOT their PR spokespersons, unless a mutual agreement is made. That said, bloggers can write negative reviews about them, and that is a risk the companies have to take. They shouldn’t hold those bad reviews against the bloggers. You win some, you lose some. That’s all part of the marketing game.

It’s great for bloggers, really. They get to do what they like — blogging. They get to expand their horizons by trying out different products and services offered. Good for them! Good for us! Some say it’s “cheap” and that when they write about the event, it’s because they’re just paid. I think that’s a little myopic. I am certain there’s more to it than that.

In the end, it all comes down to integrity. If bloggers who act as PR agents blog about events and stuff because they want to, why not? They shouldn’t be given any flack for that. And companies should respect bloggers’ opinions, which will definitely be a mix of the good and bad.

Just as it has always been with word of mouth, you win some, you lose some.

Wow that was long.

tonis last blog post..Because all men are little boys