One blogger's bad PR pitch is another blogger's treasure

I rarely write reviews on this site, well, unless you count my Diva Cup post as a review, but that doesn't mean I don't get a shit ton of pitches. There's no shortage of emails clogging all my accounts telling me KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN IS PREGNANT ARE YOU INTERESTED IN A BIB GIVEAWAY?, calling me "Mommy Blogger" or "Insert Name Here" or requesting I post about a dog food coupon that they are sure my readers would be excited about.

And while sometimes I roll my eyes at pitches, like the one about how Yankee Sod Grass Seed would make a fabulous mother's day gift (that one actually warranted a snarky email reply), I take no offense to the emails. I know that I'm on a bunch of lists, and better, I know that people are just doing their job.

It's easy enough for me to scan the subject, delete them, and go on my merry way. Or, in some cases, forward them along to someone that might have an interest in working with them.

See, I view the emails (save the ones sent by robots) as opportunities. And while I don't respond to most of them, when there is one that's well-written and well-intended, and might have some benefits for someone else, I don't get offended or dismiss them, I respond. Because you just never know what can happen.

Well, and because I'm not The Bloggess. I'd so love to send some of them a long crazy email with an attachment of Wil Wheaton collating paper but that's not my schtick.

So when an email from David at Zocalo Group for Philips Norelco popped into my inbox, I didn't reply snarkily that the only interest I had in sharing what "the key is to a guy looking his best -- from a clean shave to a good trim" -- would be me giving a clean shave and good trim to Ryan Reynolds with Philips Norelco products and sharing pictures with my blogging audience.

Oh I was tempted. Mightily.

Instead, I told him that it probably wasn't a great fit for us on Cool Mom Tech, but that I knew a few amazing, influential dad bloggers who were participating in Movember and would he like to be connected. I mean, they had just shaved but they'd most likely be shaving again, with, well, shavers, so perfect match.

He replied, thanking me for my email with great interest in speaking with the dad bloggers if they wanted to be connected with him.

And that was the last I heard, until I saw a tweet from Doug French (the chief amazing, influential dad blogger of which I spoke) saying that Philips Norelco (@shaveexperts) was doubling their fundraising money.

Then I saw his Facebook update:

$15,000!

My giddiness (and yes, I'm completely giddy over this) is not that so much money will be donated to such a good cause. Or that I won't have to see really scary photos of some of my favorite dad bloggers all over my computer screen after today.

{Sorry guys, there's a reason why you can't see the dude during a mustache ride}

It's because instead of this being yet another story where a blogger publicly bemoans PR folks for irrelevant pitches, this one had an awesomely fabulous ending. Perhaps even a new beginning for a fabulous working relationship.

And even better, a lesson for all of us to read and think before we react. Someone's really lame pitch could be another person's $15,000.

[Editor's note: Here's the final shaves and the cool Stache-tacular microsite for #NorelcoDads. The videos are worth a watch. Hilarious]

Comments

[Maybe Lady Liz]

Ahh, a heartwarming story. I just started my own blog and quit my job to expand it, so I can't wait for the day when I'm wading through ridiculous pitches from Yankee Sod Grass Seed, etc. Thanks for a scary glimpse into the future! :)

[Amy]

So great to keep the flow moving forward to make things happen. Nice work!

[Asha Dornfest]

I was already a Movember backer so was totally charmed by the #norelcodads thing, but now to know you were involved in this way? So fantastic, for so many reasons! Way to go, Kristen and No-Longer-Hairy Dads!

[Whit]

You done good.

[Liz]

Well done, all around (sound dirty enough for ya?)

[BusyDad]

So my baby-bottom smooth face is connected to you in some cosmic way? I can live with that.

[Marinka]

So wait. No dog food coupon?

[Meghan]

I just have to say I love my Diva Cup, woman should know that this thing exists. Check out the amazing Amazon reviews.

http://www.amazon.com/Diva-International-Inc-DivaCup-Post-Childbirth/dp/B000FAG6XA/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1322794298&sr=8-2

[Sarah Hubbell aka MainlineMom]

Yay!! Especially when someone takes the time to address me correctly and individually I appreciate it enough to respond. I've been on the receiving end of great bloggers passing pitches they couldn't use on to me, and I try to return the favor. Bravo, Kristen.

[tracy @mamacreates]

food for thought, indeed!

it just goes to show how much awesomness can come from simply being nice & generous with our time, even if there is no direct benefit to us for doing so.

well done, ma'am, well done!

[Issa]

This is really freaking cool.

[Liz]

What a happy ending to what could have been an otherwise tragic fate for David. It's people like you that see those hidden opportunities, take action, and make this world a better place.

[Christy @morethanmommy]

Love ALL of this. It's not that hard to hit delete for off-kilter pitches. There are people behind them and their primary goal for the day isn't to make your life miserable. And, you're right... you never know when a pitch that was totally wrong for you might be the perfect thing for someone else.

[Goon Squad Sarah]

That kicks ass. It is so nice when the PR stuff is a good fit and can work out for the good of everyone.

[Julie Marsh]

I love this. A little creative thinking can do a lot of good.

[Mom101]

You're my hero.

[Amelia Sprout]

This made me smile and warmed my cold little heart. The hubby needs a new shaver, and I'm always good for supporting companies who get it. Win/win.

[The Muskrat]

I, for one, was very glad to get my electric razor in the mail and learn our efforts at raising money had just been doubled!

[Mike]

"Someone's really lame pitch could be another person's $15,000." You rock. Thanks so much.

[Katherine @ Postpartum Progress]

Great story. Love that Norelco got involved in a good cause!

[Kyran]

Well done! That overly-defensive, snarky attitude has always struck me as a kind of teenage phase of blogging, born of insecurity and uncertainty. It's cool to think we're growing up.

[Montreal's Mom Blog]

Exactly! I tell people this all the time- there is an opportunity in every well-meaning pitch, even the "off" ones. It's easy to just ridicule PR people haughtily. Good for you, Kristen! :)

[DelilahSDawson]

Yeah! I love it when a PR plan comes together! <3