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You want me to write about your stupid company, Greg? Okay, here you go. (Let this be a lesson to the rest of you!)
From: gregs@[mystupidcompany].com
To: Rick Bruner
Date: 30 Mar 2006 15:02:28 -0500
Subject: [mystupidcompany].COM = Restaurant Finder
Well here is my question………I need to get my name out there…I read your Blog it is about websites which is what [mystupidcompany].COM is. I need people that are internet savy to look at my site.
Do your readers eat out? If the answer is yes then why not right a small blurb about [mystupidcompany].com
Let me know how to aproach guys like you in the future…….so that I can better prepare myself.
Thank you for the guidence, also let me know what to put in the title.
Have a great day
Greg
—–Original Message—–
From: Rick Bruner
Sent: Thu, 30 March 2006 19:12:01
To: gregs@[mystupidcompany].com
Subject: Re: *****PLEASE READ****Not that I want to get into a big thing over this, but you don’t know me, your business has nothing to do with anything I write about, and your subject line is obnoxious. I realize you’re not harvesting addresses and sending out a million emails in a batch, but anyway it’s not what I would call best-practice PR.
On 30 Mar 2006 12:26:57 -0500, gregs@[mystupidcompany].com wrote:
>
> I was not spaming I was asking………….thank you for your time.
>
> Have a great day
>
> Greg S********
>
> By the way I thought it was cool how you give people your email
>
> Rickbruner at gmail dot com
>
> Genious if it is okay with you I will strat doing thesame thing.
>
> Again sory to bother you have a great day
>
> greg
>
> —–Original Message—–
> From: Rick Bruner
> Sent: Thu, 30 March 2006 16:48:01
> To: gregs@[mystupidcompany].com
> Subject: Re: *****PLEASE READ****
>
> No, I won’t, as this has nothing to do with anything I write about,
> and you should have more creative ways of getting PR than spam.
>
> On 30 Mar 2006 11:43:35 -0500, gregs@[mystupidcompany].com wrote:
>
> > Hello Rick my name is Greg S******** was wondering if you would be able to write about [MYSTUPIDCOMPANY].COM
> >
> > http://www.[redacted-url].com/subscribe/
> > http://www.[another-redacted-url].com/article.php?id_articol=134
> >
> > We are going through first round of funding starting June 15.
> >
> > Thank you so much
> > Have a great day
> >
> > Greg S*****
> > 847 – ### – ####
> >
>
You have a great day, too! And do me a favor and lose my email address.
UPDATE:
I just couldn’t leave well enough alone and had to check my email trash folder (I had set up a filter on Greg’s email to auto delete any further emails, but something told me he was going to write again…)
See that the problem with guys like you………you spend time writing something what you wrote……….if you would of wrote something nice I would of given you 100,000 shares of my company.
But you waste your time………doing what you did………………
—–Original Message—–
From: Rick Bruner
Sent: Thu, 30 March 2006 20:11:21
To: gregs@[mystupidcompany].com
Subject: Re: [MYSTUPIDCOMPANY].COM = Restaurant Finderhttp://www.businessblogconsulting.com/2006/03/pr-case-study-how-not-to-email-a-blogger.html
I’ll be blocking your email address now, so please just move on with your life.
All the best,
Rick
I swear I’m not making this shit up!
PS: If anyone wants to take Greg up on his offer for 100,000 shares of his stupid company for a blog post, paypal me $1 at rickbruner at gmail dot com and I’ll send you the name of his firm.
PPS: I think I accidentally saved this post to draft form last night (still getting the hang of WordPress), so sorry it disappeared for 10 hours.
Most of the pitches I get from PR firm interns are bad enough, but this is pretty bad.
Comment by Lee Odden — March 30, 2006 @ 4:30 pm
No way.
“why not right a small blurb about [mystupidcompany].com”
Um. Because I don’t know you and you don’t know me and you used all cap and asteriks in a subject line?
Comment by Andy Wibbels — March 30, 2006 @ 6:58 pm
Not to mention, that you can’t spell your way out of a paper bag, and your grammar sucks (your grampar)!
Comment by Rick E. Bruner — March 30, 2006 @ 7:52 pm
[…] How Not to Email a Blogger Not only do I find this post funny, something (somewhat) similar happened to me recently. I really want to go into a tirade on rude PR people asking favors of bloggers but without boring everyone to death, I would like to say that at least be decent and learn to take a no for an answer. Really, no means no. […]
Pingback by Weblog Tools Collection » How Not to Email a Blogger — March 30, 2006 @ 8:02 pm
Cross that off my list of things to do…
Comment by New Business Blog — March 30, 2006 @ 8:31 pm
Hilarious!
I thought PR people were supposed to know how to spell and use English properly.
Kids these days.
Comment by Smoove D — March 30, 2006 @ 9:00 pm
This guy gives me hope for my own failings.
Comment by Jim Turner — March 30, 2006 @ 9:11 pm
I am offically embarassed to share the same area code as people like this. I am constantly talkind to local business folks about blogging and websites and why your brother should not design yours. Maybe I should dial it back a notch to simple email etiquette.
Comment by Dave Kaufman — March 30, 2006 @ 10:05 pm
I had someone RING me the other day from a company with pretty much the same approach. When I explained I didn’t have any blogs on a topic that related to his product he insisted that it didn’t matter and I should write about it anyway because my readers had TV’s and his product related to TVs….
I came very very close to writing about his company – but I can guarantee it wouldn’t have been the kind of post he was looking for.
Comment by Darren — March 30, 2006 @ 10:07 pm
Quite a few people thought the post was pulled, glad to see it was a fluke LOL.
I already made my speculative comments over at Weblog Tools Collection, but thought I’d comment directly here as well.
Your pain, Rick, is felt all around the world.
This e-mail exchange is asinine at best, and Greg really should learn how to deal with people before making such demands.
(It also wouldn’t hurt if he used his spell checker…don’t know what he’d do about the grammar though.)
Not to defend him, because I would have been annoyed too, but it shows just how green Greg is. It also seems like he’s very young – thinking early twenties, maybe.
I can only hope that others will learn from his example and think twice about that first e-mail they send to someone they happen across online.
~ Teli
Comment by Telian Adlam — March 31, 2006 @ 10:27 am
[…] Here is an excellent example of how you should not email a blogger and ask him to plug your company/product/service. You will not believe how many similar emails I get like this on a regular basis. Look, if whatever it is that you’re seeking to promote is excellent, then I will require a taste or experience to touch it with a foot-long pole. […]
Pingback by A Gonzo Journal » How Not To Email A Blogger — March 31, 2006 @ 10:30 am
HOLY CRAP!!! I was curious enough about all this that I Googled Greg S., and it turns out, he’s the CEO and Founder of [MyStupidCompany].com (not a flunky PR intern) and graduated from university with a degree in marketing!!! And his email subject line was “*****PLEASE READ*****”. WTF do they teach at college these days. Granted, his picture does make it look like he’s 22.
Comment by Rick Bruner — March 31, 2006 @ 10:59 am
Bloggers will write about nice things, nice people, nice places, nice products/services if we are genuinely impressed. Perhaps a degree in Courtesy will help Greg S. go further in life.
Comment by Janice — March 31, 2006 @ 11:07 pm
“I would of given”
Reminds me of those nigerian scams…
Comment by João Craveiro — April 2, 2006 @ 1:00 pm
Looks like you’re right Rick (I got curious and decided to do a little sleuthing with the clues you’ve left in your post).
While I don’t know him or his skill set, it makes me wonder how far he’ll get with his 2007 goal if the letter you presented us with is commonplace for him.
~ Teli
P.S. That picture does make him look pretty young.
Comment by Telian Adlam — April 2, 2006 @ 6:23 pm
On another note – the picture makes him look pretty young because he is still fairly young (early to mid twenties).
~ Teli
Comment by Telian Adlam — April 2, 2006 @ 6:32 pm
I am 24………..I am young hugry and VERY hard working……….trying to let people know about my company………So you got a guy trying to suceed…..and all you people do is put him down…….Glad that makes you happy….by the way have any of you ever goten any publicity:
http://www.ylunch.com/press.html
Comment by Greg Sirochinsky — April 2, 2006 @ 7:16 pm
Dude, seriously, how did you graduate from college with your spelling and grammar skills? Every time you write a note, you just compound the damage.
Anyway, you have a lot to learn about PR and the blogosphere. That’s the whole point of this thread, and what is really conspicuous is no one has come to your defense and thought I was being harsh on you. Everyone pretty much got what it was that I objected to in your ham-fisted style.
Aside from your spelling problems and spam-ish headline, the basic point is I don’t write about Chicago, I don’t write about food, and just because I write about web sites in a very specific context doesn’t mean I write about *every* web site I come across or get spammed about.
If you want PR, read a goddamn book on how to do PR, as you were obviously out the day that taught that for your marketing degree. You’ll notice in the left margin of this web site half a dozen books on using blogs for marketing. I’d recommend you buy them all.
Comment by Rick Bruner — April 3, 2006 @ 10:14 am
Spamish subject line………I just wanted to make sure you read the email…….. Spelling sorry came to the states when I was 8……. went straight to work, doing everything possible to help parents make ends meet……. did not have time to learn how to spell……. as I said don’t want to write…….that’s fine, but be normal about it…….you never know what the future will bring……..why make enemies, I reached out to you for HELP because you seemed like a NORMAL, PROFESIONAL PERSON, I did not realize that it is SO hard to get a person to write something descent about another person (or there company) (which will be national with in 1 year if I get funded).
By the way I work at GE capital FULL TIME, grow a business after work, and work 7 days a week minimum 12 hour days….. Trying to make something out of myself…….I DONT have time to read books on “proper PR etiquette” That is why I ask professionals like YOU for help……. some are nice and say “hey this Greg kid, seems like a stand up hardworking guy I will help him out.” Then I get mean people like you……who try to make fun of what I am trying to accomplish….I just move on try to defend my company and my name…..
Anyways I want to thank everyone for their criticism……and suggestions
Have a great day
Greg Sirochinsky
CEO – YLunch.com
Gregs@ylunch.com
Comment by Greg Sirochinsky — April 3, 2006 @ 10:55 am
[…] Business Blog Consulting: PR Case Study: How Not to Email a Blogger While I think Rick is a little heavy-handed in his dealings with the emailer, this is a great example of how not to engage a blogger, and then dig the hole deeper by coming by and posting comments. Sometimes, the battle is lost and the war is lost … and it’s best to move on. A lesson for us all when pitching bloggers. […]
Pingback by Blog Run » Blog Archive » DIY Ads, PR and PR, and 10 Years Old!! — April 4, 2006 @ 3:05 am
DIY Ads, PR and PR, and 10 Years Old!!…
Consumer Generated Media: “I Just Can’t Believe they REALLY Gave Consumers Control!”
What happens when you try to hook yourself up to a once-hot TV show, and allow consumers to create ads? Well, consumers create ads that are less tha…
Trackback by Blog Run — April 4, 2006 @ 3:05 am
Well, maybe Greg’s plan did work. He is included on your blog — twice — with his Web site. And now we all know his plans and his background??
And, he was being direct and (almost too) transparent.
If he would’ve stopped after no, then he’d be okay. But, you can get into troubke if you just keep pushing.
As in business, PR is about relationships. So, we’ll see how his business really does.
Mike
Comment by Mike Driehorst — April 4, 2006 @ 7:41 am
[…] So, how does one go about getting noticed on a well respected blog, or climbing up “the list”, or just getting some good press in the blogosphere? Certainly not by squabbling with the blog owner after they’ve told you no. Rick Bruner of Business Blog Consulting shows us how not to e-mail a blogger, especially when you’re looking for positive exposure. […]
Pingback by How To Network With Bloggers - Destination: Success — April 7, 2006 @ 1:56 pm
Greg’s plan did work – I’ve been to his absolutely abysmal apology for a site. Note to Greg: Heard of RSS? Wiki? GoogleMaps? In other words, why are you bothering?
Comment by Dennis Howlett — April 20, 2006 @ 9:28 pm
Leave the kid alone, he’s a newbie. Christ, what a bunch of whiners some of you are. It ain’t all about who’s cool and who’s not.
At least that Greg dude has a fkin website, which is more than an affiliate blog, hehe. 😛
Comment by Emm — November 24, 2006 @ 10:57 am