Should PRs pitch on Twitter?

Posted by on June 9, 2009 · 7 Comments 

No.

Well, that’s what I always tell PRs when I run training sessions. Why? Because I find it impossible to explain to twitter newbies exactly how and when it *might* be OK to do so. But am I too hardline?

Maybe.

I mean when I run training sessions most people are new to Twitter full stop, forget the marketing applications (ick) of the service. But could PRs have an authentic and relevant conversation about a client on Twitter? Hmmm…

Willing to accept I am not the Social Media equivalent of a Delphi Priestess I instead asked some of my on- and offline writing contacts to “B*tch about the Twitter Pitch”. Over to them……

The majority said:
“Not at all” or “Not unless I know you”“

However some pointed out that if you know eachother, you already know how they prefer to be pitched, and would have their email/phone contacts to do so.

Of those who were fine with it (and I’m not listing their names to avoid them getting inundated) they advised:

  • DM’s preferable
  • Further to the above, ONE DM ONLY, preferably with a link to further info
  • Once you’ve said it,  then leave it with them, don’t pester
  • Relevancy is still important! Don’t just pitch them because they have a lot of followers…
  • Works best if you can see they’re online and having a relevant conversation, otherwise email would be better

In general Twitter feels quite personal to people, they would prefer for you not to try and start a “business” conversation with them unless they open themselves up to it, for example with a request for information via Twitter.

Oh, and most said the personal nature of Twitter went double for Facebook. So don’t switch your pitch to there.

Good luck out there.

Filed under Best Practice, How to · Tagged with , , ,

About Darika

  • http://community.prweek.com/blogs/kittens/archive/2009/06/10/should-pros-pitch-on-twitter.aspx PR, Public Relations & communications news and features

    [...] to my friend Darika, the answer is no. This was down to the fact that the journalists in general felt that Twitter was a personal place [...]

  • kirsty elliott

    here’s a transcript of our skype chat in the office:
    [10:00:10] kirsty.elliott: any thoughts to add to darika’s debate girls?:
    [10:00:12] kirsty.elliott: http://grapevineconsulting.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/should-prs-pitch-on-twitter/
    [10:00:26] kirsty.elliott: picked up further here:
    [10:00:27] kirsty.elliott: http://community.prweek.com/blogs/kittens/archive/2009/06/10/should-pros-pitch-on-twitter.aspx
    [10:07:24] Lucie Bickerdike: Yeah, I agree – the ‘rules’ are still eing defined, so it’s easier just to say no. But I think if you already have a dialogue with a journo on twitter, it should be fine
    [10:15:20] Amy Gooch: i think DM is ok, because in order to be able to DM the journalist has to be following you (ie they are interested in what you may have to say). Pitching via public tweets is a no, no I think.
    [10:15:43] Lucie Bickerdike: Yeah, I agree
    [10:15:56] Lucie Bickerdike: Although I have seen it done successfully…
    [10:32:48] kirsty.elliott: i agree too, though i do think that sometimes unique opps can arise by chance, if they are tweeting at the right time on the right topic, but has to be handled very smoothly!

  • kirsty elliott

    here’s a transcript of our skype chat in the office:
    [10:00:10] kirsty.elliott: any thoughts to add to darika’s debate girls?:
    [10:00:12] kirsty.elliott: http://grapevineconsulting.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/should-prs-pitch-on-twitter/
    [10:00:26] kirsty.elliott: picked up further here:
    [10:00:27] kirsty.elliott: http://community.prweek.com/blogs/kittens/archive/2009/06/10/should-pros-pitch-on-twitter.aspx
    [10:07:24] Lucie Bickerdike: Yeah, I agree – the ‘rules’ are still eing defined, so it’s easier just to say no. But I think if you already have a dialogue with a journo on twitter, it should be fine
    [10:15:20] Amy Gooch: i think DM is ok, because in order to be able to DM the journalist has to be following you (ie they are interested in what you may have to say). Pitching via public tweets is a no, no I think.
    [10:15:43] Lucie Bickerdike: Yeah, I agree
    [10:15:56] Lucie Bickerdike: Although I have seen it done successfully…
    [10:32:48] kirsty.elliott: i agree too, though i do think that sometimes unique opps can arise by chance, if they are tweeting at the right time on the right topic, but has to be handled very smoothly!

  • http://renaissancechambara.jp/2009/06/11/links-of-the-day-238/ renaissance chambara alias Ged Carroll – Links of the day

    [...] Should PRs pitch on Twitter? « Grapevine Consulting [...]

  • http://econsultancy.com/training michelle goodall

    Interesting post and views.

    I have pitched to journos and influencers through Twitter but via DM only and to trusted contacts that I have a strong connection with and who prefer or welcome Twitter contact.

    Completely agree with the others that it’s about context, relationship and especially about how the recipient views Twitter and uses it in a professional and personal context….

    ….and that it is evolving all the time.

  • http://econsultancy.com/training michelle goodall

    Interesting post and views.

    I have pitched to journos and influencers through Twitter but via DM only and to trusted contacts that I have a strong connection with and who prefer or welcome Twitter contact.

    Completely agree with the others that it’s about context, relationship and especially about how the recipient views Twitter and uses it in a professional and personal context….

    ….and that it is evolving all the time.

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    Good Art, keep it up, and will look forward to your next post.
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