How to Kill Yourself with Press and PR

Have you ever heard that you can kill yourself with the press? The press may not be expecting gratitude, but can be reluctant to overlook poor business manners.

How can you kill yourself with press and pr?

1. When a writer approaches you for a story, look them suspiciously in the eye and ask why they didn't go through your PR person.

2. Angrily intimate that they are trying to sell you ad space. When reassured that this is not the case, explain to them that this has happened to you before and wasted your time.

3. Ask them what their "reach" is. If only statewide, tell them you just went national. If national, you just went international.

4. Ask them to send you the questions in advance.

5. Don't prepare. It is not up to you to contribute an interesting perspective; it is up to them to find it.

6. Steer the discussion towards how difficult it is in your profession. Express regret that you didn't make the kind of money that the others did who worked on the project. Refuse to acknowledge the other team members, because they have gotten enough.

7. Do the interview, but don't respond to repeated requests for agreed upon photographs. Print deadlines can always be extended. You are a busy professional.

8. Send photographs by e-mail that open to 1"x1". It worked fine for you on your machine. Maybe someone in-house can fix it.

9. If asked for a professional headshot, provide a grainy full-length candid shot, complete with "fig leaf" pose. Have the flash burn interesting detail into the background.

10. After agreeing to and sitting through an interview for a story (in a publication that heavily uses photography}, wait until deadline, then have your assistant follow up by saying you do not have rights to use the pictures.

11. Suggest that the writer contact the photographer for you to see if he will make an exception to your contract and their copyright. If not, shrug.

12. Agree to a story, but never actually schedule the interview. Ask the writer/reporter if they have a deadline. Say holidays are a tough time to meet.

13. Ask for a review of the copy before it goes out. You might want to make some changes.

14. Ask for copies of the story after it comes out. {The reporter won't mind going to the store for you.]

15. Tell the writer that you too, could be a writer. If you just had the time.

16. Ask the writer if they get paid to write. Express surprise that they do, in a must-be-nice kind of way.

17. Never acknowledge or thank a reporter or features' writer for doing a story on you. Heck, you are the news - they should be happy you granted them the time.

18. Don't return calls for fact check. Let it roll to voice mail. You have clients to meet.

19. If doing a phone interview at an agreed upon time, keep the reporter on hold. Let them listen to your message looping with jazzy music.

20. Offer the writer's services free to your clients. Let the reporter know you told the clients to expect a call.

21. When the article comes out and it is gorgeous, slap it on your website and ask for another.

No names are used, but do you recognize yourself? Remember two things when dealing with the press. Business etiquette counts. Business etiquette counts.

Articles Source - Free Articles
About the Author

Leslie McKerns of McKerns Development consults, creates, writes and places press specifically promoting your goals for your business. McKerns Development has extensive Media contacts. http://www.freewebs.com/mckernsdevelopment