Before you send me an email asking, “Are you familiar with…” the CEO you’re representing, and definitely before you tell me how smart he is as if I’ve never heard of him, you might want to make sure that I haven’t recently produced and published an in-depth face-to-face video interview with him.
April 16, 2010
Tip#144: Prune your lists
This was sent to one our reporters here. Here being CNET News, a technology news site. Emphasis to make sure we’re clear about that. We are? Good.
I wanted to get you to Save the Date of April 30. Norelco is holding an body grooming event with Carmen Electra that day. Location and other details forthcoming…
Bad email list management is one of the quickest routes to a reporter’s spam filter. Shave your lists, please.
March 31, 2010
Tip #143: The UI doesn’t match the drapes
If you bring a fancy new smartphone to a press event to show it off, be prepared to let us film it. Even if, as you say, “The ballroom doesn’t match the company aesthetic.”
Or come up with a better excuse.
Thanks, Kent.
March 30, 2010
Tip #142: Not your type
Trying to convince me that your company name (which is not an acronym) must be written in all caps just because you say so is bad enough. You most certainly do not get to specify that some letters in it are to be in bold while others are in regular font.
March 22, 2010
Tip #141: Get a room
Yes, Mr. startup CEO, your girlfriend is hot. But try to keep your hands off her when you’re pitching me at a conference reception.
March 19, 2010
Tip #140: Don’t paint your stealth fighter orange
If you tell me your company is in “stealth mode,” it should take more than ten seconds with Google to find out everything about it.
I’m looking at you, Demo presenters.
February 25, 2010
Tip #139: I will honor the embargo… forever
This is really frighteningly accurate, with one exception. No journo would hang out on the phone this long explaining to the flack why they were turning down the pitch.
Video by Steve O’Hear of Last100.com.
Hat tip to Bill Baker.
February 23, 2010
Tip #138: If I want trapeze artists, I’ll go to the circus
Samsung spares no expense when launching a new phone. Photo credit: Bonnie Cha/CNET
If you’re hosting a press conference, you don’t need to make a musical number of it. As CNET’s Kent German says, “It’s my job to attend, so if there’s enough room, the Internet works, we have a place to sit, and press check-in isn’t complete chaos, then I’ll be a happy camper. Even better, just send us an e-mail with your announcements.”
February 16, 2010
Tip #137: Gate change
If you’re going to call and pitch me from an airport, find a spot to call from where your own voice will be quieter than the boarding announcements coming over the loudspeakers.
January 19, 2010
Pro PR Tips in person!
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.
Rafe