Tim Massie

What a difference a good pitch makes… Most pitchers are too polished and self serving, while others try to fake interest in what you are doing. A few, however, really show genuine interest in providing value both ways.

When they give me specific examples of why my readers would benefit from me covering their product and service, it shows me that they’ve done their homework. I may or may not cover their product, but I am definitely more inclined to read their emails again and establish a relationship.

This one was a great pitch, and in this case they not only got great coverage but also learned from your valuable suggestions. Win-win situation all around.

Just to clarify one thing though – I don’t think Shutterstock is doing this for Google juice (nor do they look to need that) – they want endorsements/honest reviews of their product and some WOM buzz.

This is a bit complex of a path to go if all they wanted was Google juice, there are even simpler ways they could get more organic links (like starting a Shutterstock blog with great content or something similar).

But to be clear, in using their images in future posts I am using no-follow links because it is an image credit link, not an editorial link and I know there is a big to do about linking right now – I would rather not even risk going into the gray area for myself or Shutterstock among links that is emerging from things like this and will just use no-follow tag to be safe.

It’s unfortunate I even have to do that (they aren’t paying me cash, there is no “link scheme” involved, they never even asked me to link to them – I should be free to link to them with follow links if I want) but due to what I outlined in this thread I feel it is necessary just so there’s no risk or worry by anyone and our relationship is completely transparent. It’s such a gray area right now, let’s hope one day clearer lines are drawn.

… including other companies, desperate for Google juice, whom I now fear will copy-and-paste Shutterstock’s email above, change the words around, and then feed through an auto-spammer. (Bloggers: look out.)