I'm sure everyone has seen the recent case studies flowing around about getting creative when pitching. It seems that this week has been filled with terrific examples of people creating stronger relationships with bloggers, journalists and analysts using social media. I thought I would take some time on this dreary Friday morning (at least in Boston) to highlight some of my favorite so that they will become your favorite and you will start thinking this way and creating better relationships and the whole world will prosper (too dramatic?).

1) How to get me to blog about you

Anyone who has been following Jeremiah Owyang knows how busy this guy is right now...he is constantly on Twitter, posting videos, blogging and of course doing his day-job. The man is a superstar, but that of course means that getting him to pay attention to you might prove difficult. Not for Darren Barefoot and Julie Szabo, who we discussed a few weeks ago in this blog. Check out Jeremiah's full post and here is a taste:

Darren Barefoot and Julie Szabo sent me a physical card to my work address that told me to check out a unique URL where there was an advanced copy of the book waiting for me, a personalized page "Hi Jeremiah" and this original and unique video they made just for me (embedded in the full post). The card was a nice touch, as they realized I'm overloaded with emails and messages and pitches.

At this point how can you not read their book?

2) Examples of Twitter Providing Business Benefits

Paull Young, who many of you know from Twitter or the NYC social media scene had a terrific example of pitching influential bloggers using his Twitter skills. Go read the post because it shows the entire conversation that Paull has with a blogger, but I'd actually like to focus on what Paull wrote at the beginning:

Shortly before our recent Graco Get-Together in DC I made sure I was following all the bloggers I'd be meeting at the event. The conversation below (and that's what it was, a conversation - not a pitch), led to the first blog post pointing to the new Graco blog.

The key, as it always has been for good media relations, is preparation. Before the event Paull went out and did the leg work to make sure he knew the influencer's who would be attending. I'm sure he also noted how frequently they blog, how they write, likes, dislikes and more. His preparation and research helps lead to the result. It's like my good friend Bill Belichick always says; football games are won on Wednesday's, not Sunday's (for non-football folks, that means it's all in the preparation).

3) Twitter: Where's it @ for Business?

Doug Haslam has a great article at MediaBullsEye with some more takes on Twitter being an effective tool in business. My favorite statement that Doug makes:

A social network is its members. The platform dictates how you interact, but does not limit what you can accomplish. Twitter's limits: 140 or fewer characters per message, stripped down functionality, feed into its strengths: ubiquity, and an easy source for quick responses.

But Doug had me sold last Friday when he gave me some much needed inspiration.

4) Using social media to measure the impact of messaging

I know this is my own, and I guess that is a bit egotistic, but I really like the example. We reviewed the community using social media to realize the impact of our newly formed messaging...and it was a terrific learning experience.

Let's keep these case studies coming and much thanks to Paull, Doug, Jeremiah and many others for continuing to create, collect and publish these studies in social media effectiveness!

/kff