As a blogger, I take my relationships with publicists very, very seriously. As my career has progressed, I have learned to love them, respect them and really come to understand the demanding nature of their careers (they are people, too!).

I’ve started this new weekly series of posts called “The Blogger-Publicist Marriage” so that fellow bloggers can get a sense of how different firms view bloggers and what they do like or don’t like about them. If anything, I hope this series helps you with your posts and to see publicists in a different light than simply people who “fill up your inbox.”

Here’s my interview with the phenomenal Sarah Parker, Account Director at Tractenberg & Co.

1. I’m sure during the course of your career you have engaged with traditional media quite frequently. How do you find interacting with the blogosphere? Is it different and if so, how?

SP: I’ve found the interacting with bloggers is more casual. As a publicist, you tend to build a casual relationship with traditional media editors overtime, some more than others, but with bloggers, , it starts out more casual from the beginning.

2. What do you love about bloggers?

How quickly what they can say spreads, and how they can instantly turn a product into a trend.

3. What are your pet peeves?

I don’t really have pet peeves per say. I’ve been working with bloggers now for a few years and it’s been a great experience. It’s exciting to see how much that part of the media has grown over the years, and I know it is only at the very beginning stages.

4. If you could offer one piece of advice to bloggers, what would it be?

Take advantage of the tools you have – Facebook, twitter and other social media outlets are the way of the future, and brands are starting to realize that. The more you utilize them, the more exposure you’ll be able to offer a brand.

Also, adding video to your site is another great way to engage your readers. That gives brands the opportunity to have their experts offer how-tos and demonstrations, which are more interactive and fun for your readers.

5. Do your clients look at blogger placements on an equal footing with traditional media now? Or do some take blog placements with a pinch of salt?

It varies from client to client. Some feel that it does have the same value, and those brands put a lot of time, money and effort to developing and executing strong digital and social media campaigns.

6. What kind of blog posts do your clients love to see? Swatches? In-depth product reviews? What really makes them tickled pink?

Q&As with experts and in-depth coverage that includes the specifics of the product. Placements that are rich in content are what we prefer.

- Charu Suri

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