AJ Feuerman

Publicist | Social Media Strategist | Brunch Fanatic

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What’s in my Pocket Friday

March 27, 2015 By AJ 1 Comment

I save things in my pocket all week long and look forward to sharing the highlights and best of the web with you every Friday!

Pocket enables users to save something they find online for later. I find it especially handy as a Google Chrome extension — I only have to click a button to immediately save something to my pocket. Once something is saved, the content is visible on any device — phone, tablet, computer, and even offline.

Pocket Fridays

  • This is a terrific moment for me as a publicist. When a reporter made an inquiry for information from Google, they had a pretty terrific, animated response. Click here to see it.
  • The cast of ‘Pretty Woman’ reunited on the TODAY Show and it was delightful!
  • Here are 17 shirts for lazy people and I really want most of them.

What's in Pocket Friday - Best of the Web

  • James Corden and Tom Hanks win the internet.
  • There is a scientific reason behind why men like big butts. I’m pretty excited about this — they should like me ALOT.
  • I am obsessed with Anne Hogan’s DIY jewelry organizer and totally plan to copy her.
  • According to The Onion, fetal position desks are going to replace standing desks. I also want one of these.

EARLIER THIS WEEK

  • Blogger Chris Lam gave me a nice shout-out on What I Run Into and I love her right back.
  • I spoke on a panel called “Branding For Women” and it was marvelous. Full recap coming soon.
  • I waxed poetic on why we do this whole, crazy blogging thing.
  • I bitched about Fan Q&As, which are horrible.
  • When I got a good fortune cookie, I pinned the quote.

AND THE CROWN JEWEL OF MY WEEK WAS THIS. Read it all. The post, the comments. It was a golden moment in my people-watching life:

Filed Under: Pocket Fridays Tagged With: Best of the web, branding for women, James Corden, pretty woman, Tom Hanks, why we blog

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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