Are you looking for unique content?
While there are loads of ways to scout original content, one of the easier ways is to look in your inbox…
In the past year, I’ve been getting more and more story pitches from PR agencies and fashion companies. While I have to admit a majority is irrelevant to my blog… no, I don’t post athletic gear, nor do I post about tweens, however there are some great leads that come out of pitches.
A while back, I had posed a question to IFB asking what you needed. The lovely Jordana spoke up and said we needed a platform to contact PR agencies and fashion companies. I thought this was a great idea because, though I was lukewarm about getting random story pitches, mostly because 1. a lot of them are irrelevant and 2. I had to wait for the ‘right’ one to come in.
Thus ‘LittleBirdie’ was born.
LittleBirdie does just as it sounds. It’s a simple to use content finding service that connects IFB members PR and fashion companies. Similar to other press query services, your request will delivered to our growing database of PR agencies and fashion companies via a weekly e-newsletter.
- Seasonal gift guides
- Specific topics (e.g. shopping on a budget, dressing for a summer wedding, etc)
- Product reviews
- 1:1 interviews
- Giveaways
Our goal is to provide a safe platform to find editorial content and improve our blogs. Everyone in our database has been instructed to only contact you on topic, if they do not adhere to the rules (no spam, or questionable practices) they will be banned from the list no questions asked.
Similar to this other service HARO (help a reporter out) LittleBirdie runs on a similar system, only this is specific to fashion bloggers who are IFB members, and the PR Agencies and companies all are fashion and beauty related. So you will only get fashion related pitches for your requests, and they know that you are a blogger and they want to develop a relationship with you.
Real Results
I launched the first request newsletter last week, to give it a test run. I am looking to do a giveaway on my blog, The Coveted, to drive subscriptions to my new newsletter. In the request, I was sure to know what The Coveted specializes in, emerging designers, vintage, eco-fashion, and deals… and the response was a jewelry designer who reconstructs vintage jewelry and an organic clothing designer, both willing to do a giveaway, and happy to work with The Coveted.
My next request will be for sample sales, or discounts from boutiques for my newsletter. Another potential request I’d make would be for swimwear for a summer fashion guide, or strappy sandals, nice looking non-leather handbags…
When making a request, to get the best results, try to follow these guidelines.
- Be specific about your blog, note any niches, it doesn’t have to be a long description, a couple of keywords will do.
- Be specific about the reason for your request… a summer fashion guide, daily shoe post, an interview, review, giveaway, etc…
- Try to give an idea of what you are looking for, give an example “I am looking for something like this…” “I am looking for the next…”
These will help narrow down your responses. You can also leave it open, but keep in mind, the more general your request, the more general the response you’ll get from the companies.
We’re still building our PR list, but we do have a sizable amount to get you relevant responses. The more you use it, the more companies will want to sign up, so you’ll be contributing to making a great research tool!
LittleBirdie mails every Tuesday, so put your request in now to be included in the next newsletter. Let me know how it works out! 
Resources:
Wait, I was hoping for a few thousand more stories on Kate to add to my list! Because they’re all so interesting!
This sounds really cool! I just put in a request for info on independent designers of womenswear, jewelry, shoes, etc. I hope it was specific enough… well I guess we’ll see what happens! Thanks for creating this service!
So excited about this! I’m working on a few post and I’ll definitely put in my request! Jennine you are truly amazing, you belong in the Blog Hall of Fame!
I sent in my request. I hope this works, it sounds amazing!
love the idea. you are brilliant!
thx!
india
Cheers to making LittleBirdie officially a reality! Can’t wait to see where this goes!
This is such a great idea! I can’t wait to try this out, thanks!
This is a great idea. Is there anything for men’s fashion or San Francisco fashion?
So far this is excellent, so many great companies have contacted me, that I would have never heard of if not for LittleBirdie! Thank you for creating this!!
Jennine, this is a fantastic resource. I remember listening to a podcast with Peter Shankman (started HARO) last year and thinking it was a great idea. Kudos for implementing a similar much-needed service for us fashion bloggers and fashion/beauty PR companies!
One of my (eventual) goals for Style Sample Magazine is to provide bloggers with the connections and opportunities to help them achieve their dreams. I’d like to post this info on the website if you don’t mind.
Thanks so much Jennine for this service! I already received 2 enquiries! Woot!
Thanks Jennine, will put in my request of course.
Ooh cool, I’m going to try it out!