Monthly Archives: June 2012

You know you’re competing for attention with PR reps who actually do the work, right?

If you can’t be bothered to write a subject line, why should I bother opening your email?

Check out this screen grab. All these emails are from the same firm, which specializes in infuriating me. “Helpful app?” “New Tech Trend?” Yeah, that stands out.

Bonus crime! This outfit also likes to use “Follow up” as a subject line when it’s the first message on a topic.

By the way, this is from the same PR company responsible for Pro PR Tip #178: Fool me once. The only reason I haven’t blacklisted this entire outfit is because it’s such a good source of bad PR.

See also: Pro PR Tip #98: Make it snappy, Sweetheart.

This email warmed my heart. Or would have, if I had one.

Hi Rafe,

Hope you are well! I wanted to reach out to introduce myself and let you know of a new client my agency has brought on board which I think will be of interest to you. My name is [musical girl’s name]  and I’m an Account Superstar at [whatever] Agency, based in SF. My official title is Assistant Account Executive, but I strive to be a stellar reference to my close contacts as well as tell my client’s stories as they deserve to be told – and “AAE” just doesn’t serve my goal justice!

Short Pitch… [Sorry, didn’t get this far]

Emphasis mine.

Listen, you adorable young thing, I’m a crusty old jerk who doesn’t give a damn about your hearts and unicorns. Can we just get straight to the business? Thanks.

Related Pro PR Tips:
Tip #167: Don’t bury the lead
Tip #98: Make it snappy, Sweetheart