The post below inspired us to create a Top 10 List of Things You Never Say to a Reporter. We're getting some great entries so far and want to encourage everyone to keep them coming. Post them in the comment section of this post or the BusinessWeek post.
Tomorrow I head to The University of Georgia to present at Connect. So the Top 10 List and the winner will not be posted until Monday, October 18.
UPDATE: With nearly 40 entries across Facebook and this blog, we're sorting through them and narrowing them down. There are some dupes, but we'll be giving all duplicate entries credit if we use them. We're also creating a pdf for folks to download as a benefit for the extra wait. Stay tuned and we'll have it in another day or so.
first!
ReplyDeleteKevin,
ReplyDeleteI received this pitch:
"I caught your blog post about socialnetworkitis thanks to a link from Steve Rubel’s MicroPersuasion. I’m not going to blow smoke up your rear and tell you that I read your blog religiously or do any begging that PR guys would normally do to get you to acknowledge their pitch. Here’s the pitch…."
I don't want to out the guilty, because the guy later apologized. But I think it deserves -- anonymously -- to go into your hall of fame no-nos. I elaborated on this here:http://www.attentionmax.com/blog/2007/10/a_compelling_pitch_for_my_attention.php
I also decided last night to regurgitate my post as this week's mediapost op-ed.
Hope you're well!
Max
"I wanted to talk to you about an opportunity, but I wish you keep it short and simple because I know you must be very busy and I want to be considerate and not waste your precious time!"
ReplyDeleteYou just wasted 15 seconds of his life. Or you blew it. Or both.
One more GREAT example of what not to say to a reporter (and this one's REAL):
ReplyDelete"A Morgan Keegan spokeswoman said Mr. Kelsoe wasn’t available to comment because he was focused on managing his funds."
http://21stcenturymediarelations.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-say-no-comment/
How about:
ReplyDelete"Sorry, we're only briefing top tier media on this news."
"We'll give you a local exclusive on this. Of course, the WSJ is doing a piece, but we don't view you as competitive."
"Since you didn't cover us after our last meeting, you really owe us a story."
"I saw an interesting piece on CNET, and thought you'd be interested in doing a similar story."
"No executive is available to talk about this. But it's big news, trust me."
http://www.myragantv.com/video/?d=299
ReplyDeleteThis video says it ALL!
I was multiply cc'ed on a pitch from a PR company working for a well-known national US magazine.
ReplyDeleteHi there!
After checking out your blog, I believe I have some post-worthy news for you and your readers! "This is what it's about" - Interesting, huh? I think this news is bound to inspire comments from your science-minded audience. You can read the whole article pasted below or find it here "link to magazine"
Durrrrrrh!
Most of us had already seen it, some of us had written about it already (before the national magazine) and some of us thought it such crap we wouldn't even give it the time of day.
db