We're not sure if we're outing this person or giving them a Presidential pardon like they do for one lucky Thanksgiving turkey. But when someone asked the Bad Pitch Blog to review a children's book, we weren't sure if we should laugh or cry.
Hello. I'd like to let you know about Flightless Goose, a new full-color, hardcover story book for children being released this
month by PUBLISHER. Bad Pitch Blog may be the perfect place to mention Flightless Goose, and perhaps even run a review or feature.In the book, a goose becomes unable to fly and must learn to overcome the challenges of being different. Flightless Goose teaches important lessons to children about dealing with difficulties, focusing on positive strengths, and treating people with respect and dignity. The book entertains as it educates.
The pitch entertains as we use it to educate you too. Did you notice how close to Thanksgiving the pitch was received? Yet not one mention of being thankful or any kind of tie-in -- it's begging for one.
OK, the pitch might be a, uh, Turkey, but the book is well-intended...for a blog that actually has something to do with children's books.
So this pitch is really more of a bomb just like our all-time favorite Thanksgiving Day video. We embedded it for you above. So be thankful, ok?!
ahhh, WKRP!
ReplyDeletewait a minute... BPB doesn't review children's books? I'm going to have to change all KINDS of plans now. ;-)
ReplyDeleteThe author here. I asked for you to mention Flightless Goose, and you did. But in our defense …
ReplyDeleteThis pitch has garnered more than 100 requests for review copies so far. We consider it very successful.
The truth is, in my experience as a professional PR and media writer, you sometimes find better coverage when you aim off target (which happens to be the subject of an article I’ve been commissioned to write for a freelance writing newsletter just this week.)
Traditional book reviewers are drowning in book review requests. However, many media sources are not used to getting releases about a storybook for children – and they are interested because it is fresh and new to them.
For example, Flightless Goose has gotten coverage in publications ranging from the automotive industry and agriculture to the medical field and business. Even a science journal and a political periodical.
Not to mention (ahem) the pitching niche.
As for the Thanksgiving reference, we intentionally avoided it. We’ve toyed with the idea before, but felt that the idea of eating a cousin to the main character may turn our successful pitch into a turkey.
What was more important for us to mention (which you didn’t include in your selected passages from the pitch) was all we’re doing to help children – a portion of the proceeds going to provide clothing and books for children in need.
And, since you didn’t include this part of the pitch either – if anyone would like to learn more about Flightless Goose and our good intentions, please visit www.RunGoose.com.
And happy Turkey Day.
The author here. I asked for you to mention Flightless Goose and you did. But in our defense …
ReplyDeleteThis pitch has garnered more than 100 requests for review copies so far. We consider it very successful.
The truth is, in my experience as a professional PR and media writer, you sometimes find better coverage when you aim off target (which happens to be the subject of an article I’ve been commissioned to write for a freelance writing newsletter just this week.)
Traditional book reviewers are drowning in book review requests. However, many media sources are not used to getting releases about a storybook for children – and they are interested because it is fresh and new to them.
For example, Flightless Goose has gotten coverage in publications ranging from the automotive industry and agriculture to the medical field and business. Even a science journal and a political periodical.
Not to mention (ahem) the pitching niche.
As for the Thanksgiving reference, we intentionally avoided it. We’ve toyed with the idea before, but felt that the idea of eating a cousin to the main character may overcook our successful pitch.
What was more important for us to mention (which you didn’t include in your selected passages form the pitch) was what we’re doing to help children – a portion of the proceeds going to provide clothing and books for children in need.
And, since you didn’t include this part of the pitch either – if anyone would like to learn more about Flightless Goose and our good intentions, please visit www.RunGoose.com.
And happy Turkey Day.
Eric - By your metrics, the pitch is working. But we did not post the whole thing to prove a point...we're not a good outlet for you.
ReplyDeleteWould you rather send out 100 books and sell 50 or send out 10 to sell the same number or more?
We prefer lasers to shotguns. They're both powerful weapons. They both have different applications and garner different results.
All this said, we are thankful for your engaging us in a dialogue. Few folks do.
And I suspect some book publicists are reading this and I encourage them to throw out some more ideas for you.
Thanks again.
I understand the desire to go beyond the places people expect to read about things. My company, on the surface, would seem to be best fit for the business page, but we often, through creative thinking, end up in features pages, etc.
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, though, we don't blanket those pitches. We fine tune them and nail them over and over again.
The result is that people know when we send them something, it's worth reading. We never end up in the "spam" pile.
So, kudos to Eric for going where he's not supposed to be... that's how I think we can maximize our ROI on pitching. But fair warning that going too far off target can have consequences... and you never know if a relationship burned now can hurt later on.
Les Nesman, very nice!
ReplyDeleteHello again, and thanks for the opportunity to participate in this dialogue.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is important to aim with the laser. We’ve done that too — and we’re reaping the benefits. But, to continue that analogy, some of the traditional targets are being hit by a hundred other lasers at the same time. And the bigger publishers have some pretty powerful lasers. That’s why we also aim the laser at other markets.
Given the high circulations of some of the places covering Flightless Goose, I suspect resulting sales will be more than the half a book per review copy, as in your example.
In fact, I wonder if even this wayward coverage may, in spite of itself, attract someone to the book who may not otherwise have heard of it.
But I do see the humor in your receiving our message just when the market is right for turkey.
Be careful what you ask for.
Eric - Good to hear the laser approach is also working. It's a testament to the quality of the book.
ReplyDeleteYour secondary approach, and the impact you're seeing, are why I do not make absolute statements on this blog in regards to media relations strategies.
In the past, the minute I've stated DO THIS and NEVER DO THAT. someone comes along and shows me an example where THAT worked for them.
It all gets back to knowing your audience. You know yours enough to expand into some new areas.
Cheers
In a time where it is more difficult than ever to cut through the clutter, being able to utilize any type of medium is a positive, especially when they media gets you free exposure. While it is necessary to seek traditional media for your product, exposure from non-traditional media can prove to be highly effective. As it was mentioned previously, one way to cut through the clutter is to pitch to non-related sources.
ReplyDelete"..And too many pitches use such obscure jargon, that they are impenetrable."
ReplyDelete-Amen to that brother. I might be a bit slow, but I know I'm not that slow.