Startups Anonymous Est. 2013 · Read-only archive
Questions

We’re a big startup in the ed tech space and have raised multiple rounds of money … but for some reason I can’t get small bloggers to write about us. Are the other companies paying to have their products featured on these blogs?

So recently I was put in charge of getting more back links to our product, by appealing to the right bloggers in our ed tech space.  I’ve tried so many angles:  Sending them press releases, flattering them, providing them easy material they can tweet about, mentioning that our company has raised more money. I’ve made all my material super personalized, and even tried forming a relationship. But still, nothing.

For some reason, no one will write about us, or even respond to me. It bothers me because our competitors are featured in these blogs already.  Do you think they just bought their way in? I can’t figure out how else they got the attention of these bloggers.  Any suggestions on what I can do, I don’t want to just throw money away for each back link to our site.

One blogger did email me back and went on about how he’s an expert consultant and requires x amount of money before he’ll write about us or tweet to his followers.

5 answers from the community

AAnonymous· May 18, 2014

You may not have product market fit. You may want to spend time finding out why they will not review your product rather than flattery.

It's a hard one but basically, if you have done everything right. You need to ask why they are ignoring you. By being direct you will learn a lot but expect it to be uncomfortable without being defensive.

AAnonymous· May 18, 2014

You should try social media.

Setup Facebook page, twitter account to share your news and industry tips to get interest from potential clients

AAnonymous· May 18, 2014

Educational market doesn't care about how much money you raised, they care about results and positive impact on student learning. Give them the solution to test out with their own classrooms or show some whitepapers from existing places using your solution and then they'll be interested.

AAnonymous· May 19, 2014

Set up a freaking blog and blog about others. Setup a Twitter account and retweet other's content. DO SOME WORK.

The blogosphere is not a place for well funded startups to take a piss on.

AAnonymous· May 19, 2014

PR is a craft and that is why people pay for PR managers. You may have your pitch wrong or your messaging might be off or you may be targeting the wrong reporters. I work in PR and know a lot of freelancers. happy to chat and help put you in the right direction, find me on twitter @eileenmcarey