Scobleizer - Latest Comments in PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Matt Knox — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:42:25 -0000

Hello.....nothing like word of mouth!! When did you hear about Stackoverflow? I saw them in Inc. Magazine in Nov 2008. It seems like everyone heard about them in May/April of 2009. Do you know why?

Thank you for you article!!

Matt Knox
www.diggerslist.com

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

DGentry — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:15:17 -0000

I spend some of my free time on friendfeed.com, but there is a drawback: friendfeed rapidly became the #1 Google result for my name. All sorts of topics come up there, and I feel constrained in what I comment on to avoid having something come back to haunt me in a future job search or vetting process.

I'm enthused about the idea of stackoverflow: it looks like fun, and I think the topics which come up there will be related to what I do for a living. Having stackoverflow postings turn up on Google for the next N years won't be a concern.

reddit.com's programming sub-reddit used to be similar, but the comments on reddit have become completely toxic. It is no longer fun there.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Robert Scoble — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:30:19 -0000

Visitken: I seriously doubt any of these "wannabe" companies will become an advertiser of mine.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Ken Hong — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 22:55:25 -0000

Scoble says: "I’m tired of seeing crap after crap after crap. If someone pitches me another social media aggregator I’m going to scream."

It seems that the real culprit here is the client/developer. Reputable PR practitioners do not take on clients who have nothing interesting to say. Yes, there are PR hacks out there trying to get coverage for blah products or services but the blame should also be shared with un-imaginative companies that are too dull to come up with something truly innovative.

So why is this attack only against PR? Are you afraid of possibly offending a potential advertiser?

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Benjamin Perdomo — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 11:25:14 -0000

To register in StackOverflow go to http://blog.stackoverflow.c... and follow the instructions.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

murat — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:34:14 -0000

how i can register this site ? i search, but, i dont find it :S

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Mark McGuire — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:56:30 -0000

I agree with you Robert when you say you need to personally engage bloggers; not flood them with crappy releases. But as one of the founders of Jellyfish.com (recently sold to Microsoft to launch their cashback service), my experience is that many Tier 1 bloggers like you use good PR firms as gatekeepers. Without an introduction, I'm going to have a much more difficult time getting your attention. That, in my opinion is the lasting value of traditional PR and the method I'm using in my new start up. My full argument is here:
http://flywheelblog.com/200...

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Mike Volpe — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:39:11 -0000

I think the value of what a PR firm can do is potentially broader than just pitching - let's not forget that the world is not yet full of social media and blogging gurus like you, so lots of people need help adapting to the new world.

I think there are five ways a PR firm can provide value in today's world:

1) Research – find good blogs, awards, conferences, dig up info
2) Training – teach people about PR in a social media world
3) Create Content – story ideas, writing, video, audio
4) Pitching / Relationship – maybe more relevant to old media, but it does still work
5) Monitoring – make sure you comment on the right blogs and don't miss any news

Read the full article about the Value of a PR Firm in a Social Media World here:
http://blog.hubspot.com/blo...

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Jerry — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 17:31:53 -0000

Finding useful information on your blog is what I really like to read Many people read blogs as myself and has a great return for style and look

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Robert Myers — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:18:57 -0000

Here's another "localized" success story happening right now. One man - one great idea - and several community tools can deliver a product successfully: http://www.balsamiq.com/pro...

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

shammara — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:39:12 -0000

Why do you rant so much on your blog these days anyway.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

shammara — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:36:44 -0000

Totally agree with the first comment by Jeremy Toeman. And as a popular blogger or journalist, expect to get bombarded by pitches.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

MattC — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 13:13:27 -0000

There are a lot of bad PR pros out there. But there are a lot of bad journalists too. Many can be brought and paid for. Some are just looking to write controversy and will slam a business for no reason. Others write in only 8 word sound bites. So until Journalists improve, all companies need a PR firm to protect their interests. That's why we have PR, not to be media hounds, but strategic communicators.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

phil butler — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:48:22 -0000

Oh, Robert - I never knew the only way to get your attention was to drop out of the sky, hand you a beer and mention the latest Victoria's Secret catalog!

I was doing this blogging job along side you for some time (all be it not quite as visibly), and I identify with getting 4000 worthless press pitches. I think, in a very significant way, that "word of mouth" is really the best way to get stuff. However, minimalizing or marginalizing a whole sector because you got too famous is hardly a kind thing to do.

Some of the PR people I got things from are the most courteous and informed people I know. This is not to say it is not frustrating to be spammed. I expected more from you however, in that some time ago I developed a method for prioritizing even the RWW tips mail.

Since working on our own little PR company here, I have tried to accomplish some of the tasks other PR firms do, and some that they would never attempt. Believe me, their job is not as romantic as you might think. People need people to do things they either do not have the time or expertise to accomplish. Like people who come to blogs to read what smart people like you think.

So, press releases and endless emails are a diminishing part of PR? Still, if a company created the new wheel and could not translate the news into 10 languages, would you want them to get someone to spread the news? Maybe they could hang out at Robert's favorite mall and hope he walks by?

I know, instead of occasionally sending you a news bit (in sincerity), I could find out who your friends are and send them stories that might be interesting? Great technology finding its audience naturally? Hmm....kinda like the aids vaccine being sprayed into the atmosphere where everyone breaths it in and is either cured or immunized? Oh no! That precludes someone actually spraying it into the air doesn't it? I guess the instructions for creating it can be whispered to Robert at a cocktail party and he can choose whether or not to put it on his blog or twitter?

Excuse me Robert, I have always liked and respected you, but exactly how how on the mountain of bloggers does one have to get in order to dictate like Mussolini how and when news arrives? I suppose their is a natural friction between outlets and people seeking them, but it is interesting how one blog sees news from a source as BS, while another (and sometimes even more viable) says thanks and does a nice story.

I know, I should contact the STACK and see if they need a good PR? Consider that, given their evident lack thereof, what could be accomplished for them with more people behind them than Facebook and Twitter! But then, Robert would likely not see them so easily. Don't climb to high Robert, there is no one else there. You will not see God, but might see yourself as one. Disregarding other people, except friends precludes perhaps meeting the best friend you ever had.

Always, Phil

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Mihaela Lica — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 07:39:42 -0000

The simple use of Twitter for promoting... anything... is PR. Online PR, but PR nevertheless.

PR is changing. Sending a press release is no longer as effective as it was 2 years ago. But the "customers" who are supposed to be the "impartial reviewers" of a service/product could as well be "employed" to spread the news in social networks.

Robert, the minute a blogger with your influence went on twitter asking about StackOverflow... imagine the PR effect... You sent traffic just for mentioning it.

And what about this entry? You help StackOverflow building up a brand and community. I think it is great they got lucky and they got free PR through you. Accidents do happen every day, but some are not so fortunate. Can a startup really afford to wait to be discovered by accident by Robert Scoble?

I understand your frustration, but direct approach comes with the territory. You are famous, influential and you are a public person. You cannot blame a PR for direct approaches when your contact information is publicly available. Once you publish your email online you basically set up an "open 24 hours" sign.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

mdpr — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 03:20:47 -0000

Not all products are great, but they may serve a need and will find an audience. Not all CEOs are adept at marketing themselves, or have the time to devote to following up on all press inquiries or keeping track of all of the potential venues to get the word out about their product.

PR is changing. It's changed many times before. It's not going to go away. No more than marketing itself is going to go away. Like mainstream media, it's adapting. Some of the bigger names won't adapt and will fade away. Some of the smaller names will not be able to provide all of the services companies need, and will go away.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

ceejayoz — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:31:05 -0000

@Public Relations - and *you* need a decent website before pitching your services. Hell-ooooo, 1990s!

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Miiko Mentz — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:00:46 -0000

Great headline and post Scoble. These types of posts will always stir the pot and get people talking. I love controversy, but I must admit this topic is getting old. It's as tired as the lame-ass pitches you are bombarded with on a daily basis. But I do feel your pain. Trust me, we turn away more startups than we take on, and even then not all of them get to be first-to-market with the latest and hottest app. But that's not to say that they can't carve out their place in the market, with the help of PR, and build a viable business.

People like Joel Spolsky and Jeff Atwood, or even Loic for that matter, don't need PR in the light you're talking about. I totally agree with you on that! But there's still a case for PR, as both Francine and Jeremy have already pointed out. And I and others pointed out on Loic’s post a couple months ago where he made an argument for startups not needing PR. http://loiclemeur.com/engli...

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Esther Schindler — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 18:26:54 -0000

I think there's less disagreement here than it initially seems. Robert, what inspired you about the way you learned about the new site/product was the credibility of the person who shared the information with you. You had trust in the relationship; your buddy wouldn't say this was cool unless he believed it. That IS the ideal, and it certainly made it special.

But when PR is done well -- however rarely that happens -- it achieves the same result. There are PR professionals whom I trust to Not Waste My Time, just as there are flacks who will call me at 7:30am to ask "Did you get my email about the revolutionary new gargleblaster?" The good PR people establish their credibility with me, and if they say it's cool I can believe them.

The problem, of course, is that it takes a while to tell the difference. Especially when we know they are being paid to get enthusiastic about their client's product.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Chris C — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:11:32 -0000

A kinda similar site but for new startup ideas recently went to beta too http://www.beginup.com/, actually I'm not sure it public yet. Similar idea to stackoverflow

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Robert Scoble — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:59:59 -0000

Ryan: in this case the two founders are very adept at getting the word out to programmers (they're both famous bloggers, as I said).

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Matt_ — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:15:22 -0000

Beta Testing products usualy have a PR element to them and the PR team are involved in things like the forums and company blogs to Promote the product or service .A Community Eveangelist / Customer Support as yoiu well know Scoble is as much of a PR role as it is a technical role in a company ,

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Ryan — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:00:01 -0000

You wouldn't have learned about StackOverflow unless your trusted beta friend showed it to you, and he wouldn't have learned about it unless someone else told him about it. Keep going back, and I 100% guarantee you that ultimately, the message came from a P.R. firm, marketing department or a company employee.

What I think you're saying is, "The P.R. message must be at least N hops away from the company for it to be credible to me." But what about for the person you're hearing it from who is N-1 hops away?

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Christopher Coulter — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 13:56:33 -0000

A programming tool for programmers, an insiderish social softwareish doodad for shop talking, oh, sorry, "knowledge exchange".

Gee, that will set the world on fire.

Things that bubble up from the bottom, should sometimes stay there.

Re: PR-less launch kicks off a stack overflow of praise

Robert Scoble — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:58:20 -0000

Mossberg and other famous journalists tell me they get more email pitches than I ever get. Dan Gillmor, who used to work for the San Jose Mercury News got so many that he tried to train PR people (and failed, he told me).

Glenn: I don't track programmer news as closely as I once did. I follow 600 blogs in Google Reader, follow tons of people on Twitter and FriendFeed and haven't seen anyone else talking about it. It's only been out for three days (in a closed beta) though, so if I hear about something cool in the first week (and before it gets out to the general public) I figure that's pretty good!