Social Capital and Turning Tables

It brings me back to a point I think @Dannybrown made perfectly in a recent post. Think before you speak. Which goes for writing as well. What would you say to someone in person to try and get them to work with you? Would you read that "pitch" or not? Sure conversational tone and written pieces definitely have their differences but what I'm referring to is more the points your making and your approach.

I wouldn't walk up to someone I didn't know anything about and give them a sales pitch on why they should help me with my business..that makes no sense. So while we're all busy I think it's worth taking the time to think before you speak or in this case press send on that email.

Great points Lisa!

Nice share. Its worth reading. Also with the opinions of those people commented here.

Thanks a lot.

I'm one of those journalist turned PR pros. I think it's entirely possible that the reasons converted journalists sometimes make the same pitching mistakes that they so very much were annoyed by is the pressure of internal deadlines. Clients and upper management want what they want when they want it and that can lead to PR pros making mistakes.

I had an instance just yesterday where my boss wanted me to pitch a news conference that had a big impact on the consumers we serve but all I could do was be vague and non-committal about the actual substance of the news conference. Because of this, I know I definitely missed out on reaching some consumers since I really couldn't properly prepare the pitch to give reporters the incentive to hear the news reported at the conference.

But at the same time, I've got to use the resources I have to get the job done. I guess what I am really trying to say is when you're in that other role you begin to understand the difficulties/annoyances each other have to get our respective jobs done.

Walk a mile.. or if you're ginidietrich maybe ride a bike for 10. It's about being on the other side of the table, the role of the client when you're usually a vendor; it's being the pitchee blogger when usually, you're the one writing the pitches. If we let ourselves pigeon hole others (and I'm just as guilty as anyone) by their value, Klout and so-called influence, all WIIFM.. we only limit ourselves. Agree the tables can and WILL turn and I do what I can to be flexible, adapt when they do, share what value I can. FWIW.

Great point about everyone in our networks being a potential client or employer. The world gets smaller as the opportunities can become larger!

As for guest bloggers, I hear you. You can tell when someone does something self-serving online versus openly and candidly sharing. It's quite evident.

And in this world of everyday Joe's being content producers, you're so right. Everyone, and anyone, can bring value.

Lisa, this is such a good post! As a former journalist turned PR/marketing person, I know that we all need to be sensitive to the deadlines, time and needs of others or we won't get very far in relationships, networking or partnerships. Everyone really does provide value, and everyone should be treated as valuable. What's fascinating about social media is how much it can teach you about giving to others and providing value. It's taught me a lot about that, and I hope I never stop learning about it!

You know how much this drives me crazy, especially when it comes to blogger relations. I really believe you can't pitch a blogger effectively until you've sat in their shoes. But it's really bothersome when someone has sat in the shoes of a journalist and is now pitching in a way that would have annoyed the crap out of him/her. Grrrrr!

Gini and I were just having a conversation on Skype that, well...People are stupid. A lot of them anyway. I like your thinking here, Lisa. Thanks

There's a lot to think about here Lisa, but if I picked one thought it would be that a good guest post ought to be beneficial for all parties - the writer, the publisher and most importantly, the audience.