From 901am:
PRWeb, an online press release distribution newswire and a Vocus company, announced the launch of “BlogThis,” a new social media tool enabling bloggers to easily post and comment on PRWeb press releases in their blogs.
Part of PRWeb’s growing social media toolset, “BlogThis” leverages the growing influence of Web 2.0 technologies to provide additional online visibility for PRWeb press releases. Bloggers can link their PRWeb account to their personal blog, providing a shortcut to post commentary on PRWeb news releases to their blog.
PRWeb has made a half-step, IMHO, with their new “blog this” feature on press releases. While I think it’s a great idea, having to create a PRWeb account to use it, well I’m just not into that. How could it be better? What about what YouTube and others do, offer a link to use in your post? Maybe a handy snippet of code that has the link they’d like bloggers to use (so they can track interest in the release) plus the excerpt or something. Why we have to sign up for yet another account that we have to remember the username, e-mail address used, and password for is beyond me. Really I’m tired of signing up for new communities and networks. I think I’m only get a bit out of the ones I’m on (like Facebook and LinkedIn) so I’m loathe to add more.
If PRWeb was really trying to “get” Web 2.0 and social media, I think they might have tapped a few bloggers for their opinion on their blog this feature. Ah well, maybe they will change their minds soon enough.
Tags: social media, PR 2.0, press releases, PRWeb
Thanks for blogging about PRWeb’s BlogThis feature and for providing your opinion and recommendation.
There was much debate regarding the registration requirement and yes, we did involve bloggers in the discussion. They were as split as we were.
Ultimately, the decision went the way of convenience for repeat users. Repeat users will enjoy not having to leave the page while composing their blog and having access to all the resources on the press release (text, graphics, links, etc. And they only need to register once (much like YouTube requires registration for their “Post video” feature).
Thanks again! Had we not already noodled this as much we did, your post would have provided reason to reconsider our design. Please feel free to blog about your PRWeb insights when you can. We’re listening.
Hey Joe, thank you for taking the time to comment. I can certainly see your point and it does make sense.
To give you credit, it is a good step in the right direction, even if it doesn’t work for me. Maybe in a later release there a could be an option like I mentioned?