I’ll be on a fun panel with a bunch social media wonks tonight, January 19, run by the Social Media Club, about social media (surprise) and public relations. I’ll be signing copies of my book, Pro PR Tips, at the event. Co-panelist Brian Solis will also be there signing his book, Putting the Public Back in Public Relations.
January 19, 2010
Tip #136: A blessing in disguise
When you pitch me and I say, “No,” I’m doing you a favor. It means you can move on with your life. If I say, “Maybe,” you’ve got one more thing to manage. And most maybes become nos anyway.
January 18, 2010
Tip #135: Give us a little to go on
Dear PR pro: If you leave me five phone messages telling me about your “great new product,” please understand that I won’t call you back unless you tell me what said product actually is.
Thanks to Kent German for today’s tip.
December 1, 2009
Tip #134: Check your work
If your story is that you can find personal information about people, and your pitch includes a sample report on me, you might want to make sure the product is accurate.
"Stud or Dud" is a dud at finding accurate personal infromation
November 30, 2009
Tip #133: Lecture mode off
Don’t lecture, and don’t read from a script. Especially if you’re demoing over the phone, check in once in a while and see if I’m still there.
November 12, 2009
Tip #132: Secret spy
If you’re presenting at an industry conference to a room full of people that includes press, showing slides stamped “Confidential” on screen sends a weird message.
November 5, 2009
Tip #131: Lullaby
If you’re pitching me on the phone, talk to me. Don’t read me the flippin’ press release. It puts me to sleep.
October 20, 2009
Tip #130: You can’t pick the vic
You don’t get to choose your reporter. If you pitch a story to a particular reporter at a publication, and it’s bounced to another, and maybe even another after that, then talk to the new person. If you try to hang on to the person you sent the pitch to, first, it won’t work, and second, you’ll annoy the person who actually is doing the story.
October 19, 2009
Tip #129: Single file, please
Got two pitches? Send two emails.
It’s easier to forward pitch emails around if there’s only one pitch per. Also, it makes you look cheap if you send one e-mail pitching two (or more) separate clients.
August 28, 2009
Tip #128: It’s an act
If you pitch me, and I’m grumpy or dismissive, don’t be a wuss and then not follow up as you said you would. Reporters (well, me anyway) put up walls to ward off amateurs and those who don’t really care about their story. It’s a test. One of many.
Rafe