I sometimes get emails from PR folk wondering whether I might be interested in something they're promoting. Erm, no. Do I look like the sort of blogger who waxes lyrical about campaigns and product endorsement? Because if you think I do, you've not been reading for long enough. I write about what I want, not what you want. Please, send your begging emails somewhere else. Here are a few choice examples recently received, but with all the brand names heartlessly deleted for minimum publicity.
Hello Diamond Geezer. I just wanted to drop you a quick line to tell you about an exciting new launch of <illuminated advert> on Piccadilly Circus. <Multinational company> has launched a brand new interactive concept where passers-by can take pictures of themselves interacting with images displayed on <multinational company>'s giant LED screen... It would be great to hear your thoughts, feedback and see your photos or videos of the sign.
Yes I bet it would. Now go away.
Dear Diamond Geezer. Since you blog is all about London, and the various sites and attractions the city offers, also your images are simply beautiful, I have only been to London once, but feel your blog truly does capture the city's atmosphere. Getting back to my point here, I think you might be interested to know that <UK directory service> just launched a new campaign...
No, crawling doesn't work either.
Greetings fellow travel enthusiast, I'm writing to you on behalf of <obscure male-oriented website>.com in preparation of the worldwide unveiling of 2009's Top 29 Cities to Live In; a comprehensive roundup of the year's most inhabitable cities for the everyday man... Although the final rankings are still top secret, I wanted to give you the inside scoop and let you know that London has been officially selected as one of this year’s 29 honorees. I thought this news might be of interest to your readers and I was curious as to whether you would like any additional information for your literature?
So desperately mistargeted, Johnny.
Hi there, Hope you don't mind me introducing myself! I'm from <Viral Seeding Company>, a viral seeding company in London, and we're currently running a campaign to promote <eco-friendly activity> in London, which I think would go down really well on Diamond Geezer. It's a hilarious little clip that's proving very popular so far! If you're interested, we can give you a video player to embed
Is it genuinely viral if you have to infect me first?
Dear Geezer, I thought I'd drop you a line on an event taking place in London on Friday to see if you fancied taking part or covering it... <Drinks company> is bringing the popular social media, Twitter and Google Latitude '<Drinks Company> Safari Hunt' to London, given explorers the chance to hunt down bottles of quality <alcoholic drink> if they can find the <Drinks Company> lions in bars and pubs... The lions can be found by following clues on Twitter (www.twitter.com/<drinkscompany>) and Google Latitude.
Life's too short, count me out.
So just to reiterate, if you're a social marketing guru with a product or service to pitch, please take the hint and try plugging your goods elsewhere. Many thanks.
