Newsvetter: Another attempt to curtail PR spam
I just registered for a new service that offers yet another means by which organizations can pitch bloggers (and journalists, for that matter) without engaging in PR spam.
Newsvetter is a nifty idea. The idea is simple. Media (people who produce content) create profiles that include details about the kinds of press releases, announcements, and other items they’re interested in. My profile also includes links to sample blog posts PR people and other “presenters” can use to figure out if I’m the right target for their news. Presenters who register also go through a checklist to verify the validity of the information for the people to whom they’re sending it. The checklist includes…
- My submission is newsworthy
- My submission is hyperbole free
- My submission is jargon free
- My submission is simple and clear
- My submission is grammatically correct
- My facts are accurate
- My information on product names and people is correct
In my profile, I was also able to identify news providers I’d generally like to hear from. Several PR agencies are already listed, including SHIFT Communications and even Burson Marstellar. The absence of some of the other big players means you have to register to be listed.
I haven’t received any content through my involvement yet. If what I wind up getting is all well-targeted and relevant, I’ll definitely be back to tout the service.
On top of the
twitpitch and other efforts to stem the tide of PR spam, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of uptake this gets. It all reminds me of what my friend Matisse Enzer says is the solution to most problems: “Tools, not rules.”
I learned about Newsvetter from Craig Silverman, who authors Regret the Error (book and blog). Craig tells me Newsvetter is the brainchild of Andrew Fowler, a longtime PR consultant.
06/17/08 | 1 Comment | Newsvetter: Another attempt to curtail PR spam