We can agree that there is this thing called the Web. But no two people will agree on what "Web 2.0" means. "Web 3.0" means less. And "Web 4.0?" Just stop it.
Tip #123: Not my department
If I tell you that your pitch is for a topic outside of my coverage area, believe it. No amount of wheedling is going to magically change my job description and get me to cover your company or product. However, if you maintain your composure, you might get a referral to another writer who does cover your area.
Filed under Common sense, Relationships
Tip #122: Make it stop!
Remember to turn off your WebEx when the demo ends. Especially if you have strange fetishes.
For real? I’ve never seen anyone’s fetishes on WebEx. But whenever I’m getting a screensharing demo and the presenter forgets to disconnect at the end of the call, I can’t keep myself from watching for minute or two, before I disconnect. You never know.
See also: Tip #48: TMI.
Filed under Meetings
Tip #121: Can I buy a vowel?
When you send a query asking about a pitch you previously sent in an email, attach the original. Or at least remind me of the topic. The message, “Haven’t heard from you, wonder what you thought of my previous pitch,” is somehow not enough to go on.
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Tech PR pros: Click to reserve your free copy!
I’m delighted to announce that the Pro PR Tips book is now available through my sponsor, ITDatabase. That company, which makes a directory and tracking service of writers and topics for PR people, is giving away the book to qualified people in the tech PR industry. If you’d like to get on the list to receive the book, sign up here.
Big thanks to ITDatabase for making it possible for me to realize my dream of turning this blog into a book. Also thanks to all the people who have contributed to this project. It has been, and continues to be, really fun.
Also: See Pro PR Tips in the New York Times: Spinning the Web: P.R. in Silicon Valley.
Filed under Housekeeping
Tip #120: I’ll ask the questions here
If you’re a PR person sitting in the room while I interview your client, don’t pretend you’re a reporter and ask questions of said client during the meeting. Tech journalists are spoon-fed enough as it is, you don’t need to jam the flatware down my throat.
Come to think of it, I may institute a new no-PR-in-the-room policy. Don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that before.
See also: Tip #32: Hush, now.
Filed under Meetings
Tip #119: The bigshot will see you now
If you call me at 2:00 pm to schedule a 3:00 pm interview, and your announcement is actually important enough that I want to take the call, and if we both understand that 3:00 to 3:30 pm is the only block of time left in the whole day that actually works for both of us, make damn sure your exec will actually be available at 3:00 to 3:30.
And if not, don’t wait until 3:20 to call to tell me we need to reschedule.
Filed under Meetings
Tip #118: Three degress of lame
Hey, guess what? Boring Powerpoints are just as dull when shown in a 3D View-Master as they are when displayed on a laptop.
Bonus points for getting my attention due to the creative delivery method, but 1o seconds after flipping through the slides, I forgot what the pitch was for.
Lesson: If you’re going to ship a presentation in a clever package, the message should fit the medium. See also: Tip #18: Comical PR.
Filed under Swag
Tip #117: The bad rep
It’s sad when a PR person makes me want to cover a company less. But it’s not my job to tell company execs when they’re getting screwed by their reps. Advice to CEOs and internal marketing people: Don’t cede your media relationships to your contractors.
Filed under Relationships
Tip #116: Coward
Don’t like what I wrote about your company? Tell me. Like most journalists, I enjoy a good argument, and our discussion might make for a nice followup story or an expansion in the original post. Twittering that I am a moron is a) news to no one, and b) unlikely to further your cause.
Filed under Bad ideas, Relationships, Twitter
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