AJ Feuerman

Publicist | Social Media Strategist | Brunch Fanatic

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What’s in my Pocket Friday

April 1, 2016 By AJ Leave a Comment

What’s in my pocket this Friday? Well, a myriad of things, my friends. I am just so happy to be here!

Seven movies in six weeks, y’all. And I SURVIVED. I am tired but I SURVIVED. And I hope I have more energy to blog moving forward because I miss you guys!

What's In My Pocket Friday

  • BRUNCHCON, guys. It is coming. I was one of the first people to know about it but I love that everyone posted it on my Facebook wall, tweeted it to me, emailed it to me, etc. You bet yer sweet arse I’ll be there.
  • Social Media Club is hosting a funeral for blogging. Is blogging actually dead? No, I don’t think so but it’s certainly not what it used to be and the discussion should be riveting.

What's in my Pocket Friday - SMCLA

  • Here are 16 perfect places to get pie in Los Angeles. I have been to many but I will certainly aim to go to all. #LifeGoals
  • ModCloth has signed an Anti-Photoshop pledge and I think that’s so fantastic. I love their brand already and now I just want to hug them.
  • Someone laid down Warren G and Nate Dogg’s “Regulate” as if Bert and Ernie are singing it and it is AH-MA-ZING.

  • I covered a PaleyFest  event for Forces of Geek and was reminded of the piece I wrote about Fan Q&As being THE WORST.
  • I discovered the most wonderful independent movie theater in Phoenix. If you are ever there, you absolutely have to go to FilmBar.
  • Hanson’s “MMMBop” turned 20 YEARS OLD! OMG! They did a great interview but you know I have to post the video:

Earlier this week….

  • My company acquired a new bromantic comedy!
  • I reviewed a new burger joint.
  • Trump continues to upset me. Which is an understatement.
  • And by the way, I LAUNCHED A NEWSLETTER! Sign up!

Filed Under: Pocket Fridays Tagged With: Bert and Ernie, blogging, Brunchcon, Buddymoon, Filmbar, Hanson, MmmBop, Modcloth, Phoenix, Photoshop, Trump

Subject Matters I Absolutely Will Not Blog About

June 26, 2015 By AJ Leave a Comment

Like, for reals, don’t even try it.

I’m taking my PR hat off for a minute because sometimes, empathy just doesn’t enter into it. I get at least a dozen pitches a week that turn my stomach or simply just annoy me. And that’s not counting the countless mom-targeted pitches I get (no, I will not write about your revolutionary, recyclable cloth diaper). I’m talking about the tacky, baseless, gratuitous and often exploitive pitches.

Subject Matters I Absolutely Will Not Blog About

So here they are — a few topics, subjects and themes I will absolutely, never ever write about, cover or respond to.

  • A political candidate’s swell new logo.
  • A comprehensive speculation about what a political candidate’s logo might look like.
  • Your client who may or may not be an expert on: transgendered celebrities, suicide, racism or whatever hot button topic is trending in the news.
  • What your client thinks about the untimely and tragic death of [insert celebrity name here].
  • Selena Gomez was spotted wearing your client’s jewelry? Don’t care. 
  • An event that happened that I did not attend and wasn’t even invited to.
  • Your store opening in Dubuque, Iowa.
  • Your Kickstarter/Indiegogo/GoFundMe. Stoppit.
  • “Can I call you to talk about this?” Nope.
  • Anything about or related to urinating or menstruating. Sooooo not my thing, guys.
  • Your site published this amazing video! Will I drive traffic off of my site to yours so more people will watch it? No, I won’t.
  • Cameron Diaz is on the cover of Cosmo next month! (Clarification: That is a sarcastic exclamation point.)
  • Anything addressed to a name that isn’t mine.
  • Jamberry nails. Or any multilevel marketing (MLM) product for that matter.

I was not content to stop there, either. I asked some other bloggers what pitches turn them off.

  • “Supplements that promise weight loss, fat burning, energy or any other miraculous claim.” – Melissa, The Valentine RD
  • “Trying to get pregnant products, experts, tips, et al.” -Chris, What I Run Into
  • “Your client’s infographic.” -Lindsay, Fit & Awesome
  • “Bodies need to be cold before your expert talks about why they killed themselves…” -Jessica, The Other PTA

Today we celebrate a monumental Supreme Court ruling that reverses bans on same-sex marriage. By Monday I have no doubt my inbox will be cluttered with “expert” pitches, celebrity wedding planners, etc.

So tell me, fellow bloggers, what else chaps your hide the second it hits your inbox? 

Filed Under: Pro Tips Tagged With: bad pitches, blogging, PR Fail

Who Are We Writing For?

March 26, 2015 By AJ Leave a Comment

WHY DO WE BLOG?

In this strange life I lead of both publicist and blogger, I often have to bite my tongue on social media. I see a lot of comments about brands that shouldn’t be made in public places. Sometimes I rush to defend my PR brethren and feel a little guilty for being “the man” and sometimes I side with the bloggers and feel guilty that I am betraying my profession. I witness some pretty upsetting behavior — like when, this week, I saw a blogger post something a brand sent them to review on eBay — and she talking about it openly on social media.

Come on, guys. We’re better than this. And everyone is watching ALL OF THE TIME. You gotta know that.

But right now I want to hone in on two very simple questions, bloggers: WHO ARE WE WRITING FOR? WHY DO WE BLOG?

Who Are We Writing For?  Why do we blog?

“I’m writing for myself.” 

Of course you are. Aren’t we all? I mean, let’s be honest, guys. Bloggers are a little narcissistic. Otherwise we’d go be accountants. Writing probably fulfills a need for you. As any creative outlet, passion project, or satisfying full-time career would. Right? RIGHT?

But are you writing for yourself alone? Not unless you are the only one reading it, in which case you’re keeping a diary, not a blog.

“I’m blogging because it’s easy.”

*AJ bursts out laughing and runs away* Easy?! No, it’s really not.

“I’m blogging to make money.”

Totally fair but blogging is hard work, so you’d better love it. You’d better be prepared for some late nights and some tight deadlines.

And if you don’t have any readers, no one’s paying you, right?

WHO ARE WE WRITING FOR? WHY DO WE BLOG?

Because there’s an audience out there. And they want information. And we’re in a position to give it to them. Because we’ve worked hard to build a following on social media and it’s made us influential. Because we’re passionate about engaging with our readers. Because we like connecting to people in real life and online. Because it makes us part of a global community. Because we like it.

We may have started for ourselves and as a result, we may do it for money. Eventually we may do it to get free stuff or for internet fame, but I really think all of those reasons have to be secondary if you want to succeed. When the really hard decisions have to be made, and you really need to think about why you blog or what you should blog, you should be thinking about who’s engaging with your content. I promise keeping that in mind at all times will make you infinitely more successful, long term.

People read your blog because they like you. Your audience returns and grows because they like you in earnest. And only then will people partner and work with you. Only then will the brands come, the money, the fame, etc.

Bloggers, next time you find yourself in a forum typing out a question akin to “should I write about ________________ for no money?” or “I went to ________________ and didn’t know if I should cover it for my blog,” etc., I beg you pause first and ask yourself, “Would my readers enjoy this content?” Because when they are happy, that is what benefits you the MOST. THAT is why you blog.

And by the way, if you do blog about a brand without them asking you to or paying you to, I also beg you to send them the link and say “Hey! Look what I did! My readers loved it. You should work with me for reals.” (Ok, don’t say it exactly like that. Let’s keep it professional, people.)

And that’s all I have to say about that.

But if you want a little more insight, I like this piece by Joshua Becker, “15 Reasons I Think You Should Blog.” Took me back to my early days!

UPDATE:

It was suggested to me, wisely, that if you are reviewing a product or writing a sponsored post for a brand, you have to write for them. Well, yes, you do. I totally agree. But you still have to keep your audience in mind! And to that end, I also would add this advice – when you’re initially approached for these opportunities, make sure it’s something your audience will want to know about. Don’t just accept the opportunity because it makes you a few bucks. In short, don’t be a sell out! 😉

This post is dedicated to Melissa – a conversation with her inspired this post. She rules. Read her blog.

Filed Under: Pro Tips Tagged With: blog, blogging, protip, sponsored posts, why we blog

"Today I will be classy and elegant. Or, I will spill on my shirt and trip over things."

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