In today’s media landscape, brands and bloggers are pretty much inseparable. More often than not, they make a great team and work together to tell great stories. However, there are some situations where the relationship is more like oil and water as opposed to a happy marriage. Michelle Gilbert (Public Relations Manager for Verizon Wireless in Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky) and I have worked with numerous bloggers throughout the country. Over the course of several years, we've built many fantastic, long-term relationships with individuals covering a variety of verticals and topics. We've also experienced their fair share of cringe-worthy scenarios. This talk, delivered at the 2013 Mitten Moms Conference, was focused on sharing stories of blogger relationships through the lens of the brand.

1. The Secrets Behind Great Relationships

2. WELCOME!
From Michelle and
Brandon

3. We’ve worked with all types of
bloggers across the U.S.

4. What makes an ideal partner?

5. Engaging Stories
Consistent Content
Clear Purpose

6. QUALITY
QUANTITY

7. The majority of our
blogger relationships are great

9. Others simply
haven’t worked out

11. How can you build
awesome relationships
with brands?

12. 1
UNDERSTAND THERE IS
GIVE AND TAKE

14. STAY TRUE TO
YOUR WORD
2

15. Hitting DEADLINES

16. Returning PRODUCT

17. Sharing CONTENT

18. COME TO THE TABLE
WITH IDEAS
3

20. KNOW WHAT
MAKES US HAPPY
4

21. What does
SUCCESS
look like?

22. TRANSPARENCY IS
KEY
5

23. Compensation requirements and
disclosures should be crystal clear

24. Ask for support or guidance
when necessary

25. KNOW WHEN TO
SURPRISE AND DELIGHT
6

27. PROTIP:
Marketing & PR often run
very different programs

28. MARKETING
CAMPAIGN DRIVEN
START CAMPAIGN END CAMPAIGN

29. PUBLIC RELATIONS
RELATIONSHIP DRIVEN
CREATE ONGOING
OPPORTUNITIES

30. Here are some of our
favorite stories

31. The Gadgeteer

32. Cris Goode

33. Jackie Harper

34. Marybeth Feutz

35. Now you know
our secrets

36. 1
UNDERSTAND
THERE IS GIVE
AND TAKE
4
KNOW WHAT
MAKES US
HAPPY
2 STAY TRUE
TO YOUR WORD 5 TRANSPARENCY
IS KEY
3
COME TO THE
TABLE WITH
IDEAS
6
KNOW WHEN
TO SURPRISE
AND DELIGHT

37. THE SECRET TO GREAT
RELATIONSHIPS

38. Photo Credits
Photos Selected Under Creative Commons
I will follow you into the dark: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tranbina/4605388964/in/photostream/
Hold Me: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alwaysbecool/3034148633/in/photostream/
Old License Plate Map: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kelloggphotography/418459742/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Apples & Oranges: http://www.flickr.com/photos/automania/126698126/sizes/o/in/photostream/
Old Couple: http://www.flickr.com/photos/adwriter/257937032/sizes/o/in/photostream/
Friendship Bracelets: http://www.flickr.com/photos/amandavenner/4939925977/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Wonka Bar: http://www.flickr.com/photos/left-hand/8732145472/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Full of Ideas: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cayusa/981372736/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Campfire: http://www.flickr.com/photos/suckamc/3551638908/sizes/l/in/photostream/
Happy President’s Day: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cayusa/2276783536/sizes/l/in/photostream/
THANK YOU!
Michelle Gilbert - @VZWMichelle
Brandon Chesnutt - @bchesnutt