http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/3U2dNb/www.lovell.com/blog/?p=986

If you or your company has a product that would be of interest to bloggers, when you send them a pitch, DO NOT:

• Use the same form pitch letter: It is important that your pitch letter be relevant to the blogger and their blog's content. That doesn't mean you have to craft a new pitch every time, but at least tweak the intro copy. For instance, I have received many pitches for princess books and toys. I have a 2-year-old boy. If the PR person had spent two minutes on my blog, she would have seen this and know to not send me that pitch.

• Use an image only press release: It will not show up in many people's emails, is not customized (see above) and is tacky.

• Have no call to action: Oftentimes I will receive a press release for a product that is interesting to me, but the press release is not accompanied by a letter or a request for product review. Always ask yourself, why would the blogger be interested in this product - and answer that question in the email you send.

• Ask the blogger to go to your website for more details: Many bloggers receive dozens of pitches a week and they don't have time to fish for information about every product that is introduced to them. Do your best to put all compelling information in your initial pitch.