In people, spiky isn't this cute (Adam Foster Codefor via Flickr)
Bloggers are, in the main, the most welcoming, kindest, most generous bunch of people you could ever hope to meet - online or off. It's one of the main, marvellous, things about blogging.And it's why I'm moved to write this post. I'm a member of several bloggers' groups on Facebook - and what I'm about to say applies to most of them. It really isn't pointing the finger at anyone in particular. I've been a bit shocked lately by the tone some bloggers take in talking about - and say they use talking to - the men and women of the PR and SEO industries. Now, I too get pitches urging me to post irrelevant, badly written stuff that brings me no benefit. I also get press releases and other information that isn't of the slightest interest. It's a little tedious to read, assess and delete it all, but hardly the worst thing in the world. Some of those come from SEO practitioners whose job it is to get round Google's attempts to keep it organic. I know what they want and why. Their aims don't coincide with mine but, you know, we've all got a living to make. More messages come from people who clearly don't have a clue how or why bloggers do what they do. And, yes, they haven't bothered to read the far end of my blog... I know they haven't. But why should they give a stuff about my blog - if what I write about is of no interest to them (apart from showing how I fit the demographic they're looking for) then that's perfectly understandable. I'd far rather they were honest than pretended to give a stuff about me and mine. These inbox pings don't fill me with the rage that affects others, they don't make me sweary, sharp or, even, downright rude. No. They are just from people trying to do their jobs. In the same way I don't take it personally if they miss the mark, I presume they're not going to take it personally if I respond by ignoring them - rather, I don't respond at all. This isn't any different from a bit of junk mail, a flyer through the letter box, an email from a business. Nothing to get heated about at all - just discard and move on. True enough, the bit where they try to get you not to disclose is mildly vexing, but I find a simple calm explanation of the law does the job or, failing that, I ignore this entreaty too. There really isn't any need to swear and shout. Surely there's something better to expend precious energy on. The bottom line is that we quite like PRs and the brands they represent, especially when they give us stuff to review or money to talk about things. Therefore, it strikes me that we'd all get more of the things we want by playing nice and talking straight.
Obviously, to mix another metaphor, what pushes one person's buttons doesn't even ruffle the feathers of another, but, a little peace, love and understanding might make life better for everyone.
