OAKLAND, CA--(Marketwire - October 27, 2008) - PR and marketing professionals who want to learn the best ways to find, monitor and analyze online influencers in the market -- and how to pitch them -- will discover practical strategies at a new audio conference from Bulldog Reporter's PR University: "Tech Blogs PR Can't Afford to Miss: Top Online Influencers Reveal Best and Worst PR Practices." Attendees will come away with practical ideas for crafting irresistible blog pitches -- including the story elements and exclusive pegs that resonate with bloggers and how to use them to generate wide coverage.

This exclusive, dial in PR University audio conference takes place on Thursday, November 6th, at 1PM EST (noon, CST, 11AM MST; 10AM PST) with five of the nation's most influential tech bloggers:

-- John Dvorak, Columnist, Marketwatch.com; Host, "Crankygeeks," "Tech5," "This Week in Tech," "No Agenda"

-- Kara Swisher, Co-Executive Editor, "D: All Things Digital;" Author, "BoomTown"

-- Jon Fortt, Senior Writer, Fortune (circ. 931,495); Blogger, "Big Tech"

-- Tom Foremski, Author, "Silicon Valley Watcher;" Board Member, Research Fellow, Society for New Communications Research

-- John Biggs, Editor In Chief, "CrunchGear;" Author, "Black Hat: Misfits, Criminals and Scammers in the Internet Age;" Publisher, "BigWideLogic"

This 90-minute interactive call will give public relations professionals practical insights, tips and proven methods for adding blog relations to traditional media plans -- plus how to launch or improve a corporate blog of their own. It will also address traditional PR practices that earn negative coverage from bloggers -- and how to avoid these common mistakes. Here are some of the practical and immediately applicable techniques attendees will cover in this audio conference:

-- Crucial differences between online media and traditional media -- and how to ensure your responses to comments match the medium

-- Multimedia to Pitch Now: Online video, multimedia, podcasts -- the new media assets bloggers say sweeten the pitch and boost your chances of getting posted

-- What Motivates Bloggers: Key insights into the mindset fueling the online media revolution -- and how to use that knowledge to protect your image

-- How to know when to respond to online rumors... and when to keep quiet

-- How the best PR pros have gained the ear -- and trust -- of key bloggers and how you, too, can build relationships with top online journalists

-- How to participate in online conversations about your product, service or company without alienating or inflaming the blogosphere

Attendance at Bulldog Reporter's PR University audio conference costs $299 per telephone site. Participants in the 90-minute call will be able to pose specific questions for the panelists at several junctures during the discussion. Attendees of PR University conferences receive one credit toward PRSA accreditation maintenance. Registration also includes an up-to-the-minute conference manual and a full transcript. For more information on taking part in the event, go to our conference home page or phone toll free: 1-800-959-1059.