Author Archives: Rafe
Tip #194: Don’t bury the embargo
Embargoes and NDAs are bad enough. The presumptive embargo is worse: where you send embargoed information along with the embargo notice, without first making sure your recipient will agree to honor the embargo at all. But look! Here’s a new … Continue reading
Tip #193: The play’s the thing
Why go to a trade show if you’re not going to take advantage of peoples’ interest there? Or the possible widespread press attention? I found out about a cool gadget that was going to be shown at one of this … Continue reading
Filed under Common sense
Tip #192: You can’t be serious
Just because you take yourself seriously, it doesn’t mean I have to. This tip is for everyone who’s pitching me to cover their smartphone case or revolutionary screen cleaning product at CES next week. You’ve been warned. Hat tip: Paul … Continue reading
Filed under Bad ideas
Tip #191: Would it kill you to use words?
I know, you think your email pitches look better if you put big, fancy graphics in them. But they don’t look so hot if your recipient has images blocked by default, or worse, is reading their messages on a smartphone … Continue reading
Filed under Email
Tip #190: Oh, that’s what I’m supposed to do?
Please banish this redundancy from your email subject lines: “Please read.” As opposed to what? Wait… there are answers! From Twitter: “Please Read …aloud, while standing on your head.” (@MattStubbs) “Please delete prior to opening” (@MrCippy) “Please perform a dramatic … Continue reading
Filed under Email
Tip #189: Zoom in and enhance
A smartphone is an intensely personal device. It’s hard to share one. So when giving a demo of mobile software, especially to a writer with trifocals (ahem), use a tablet instead. This works especially well for iPhone apps. They’re actually … Continue reading
Filed under Compassion
Tip #188: What did I just say about focus?
Today I was doing the usual back-and-forth with a PR rep, trying to set up an interview with a CEO. I just got this email: I heard from [[CEO]] that he is free any time after 12 noon on Friday. … Continue reading
Tip #187: How do you quantify lack of focus?
When you’re demoing your mobile app, it is OK to not show me how the user changes units of measurement from Metric to Imperial. Really.
Filed under Meetings
Tip #186: I am not 14 years old
And you’re not, either. So try not to send press e-mails that start like this: OMFG. We are so excited. Today, Hulu and The CW announced a new five-year licensing agreement… There’s actually a real story here, but I think … Continue reading
Filed under Email
Tip #185: I can handle the truth
If, on the marketing site you want me to see, you have “As seen in…” graphics pointing to other coverage you’ve gotten, make sure you link to the coverage you seem to be so proud of. Otherwise, for all I … Continue reading
Filed under Common sense, Lies
Rafe
