How to relate to the public

As I’m sure most are aware, I occasionally write about music for Buzzgrinder.com and Ghettoblaster Magazine. (Some call this “music journalism”; I call it “getting away with talking crap about musicians who are probably pretty okay dudes and ladies in real life.”) And it’s no secret I have a slight loathing of many music industry practices.

I’d like to continue discussing an issue I’ve touched on before about public relations people. As I’ve said, I get a LOT of email from PR people. I would say 95% of this email is mass-mailed (hence the spam accusations). Out of all of those mass-mailed press releases, I probably read about 10% of them and end up doing something with maybe 1% total. (And even then, usually in a way the PR people wouldn’t like much.)

And then there are the good PR people like my friend Termeh. About a year ago or so, she started following me on Twitter and occasionally responding to tweets in a normal-person kind of way. After a while I started following her because she seemed cool enough. Only then did I realize she worked for a PR firm. And after that, it was several months before she ever talked to me for a potential story opportunity. And you know what? When she did, I took her seriously.

Now she sends me the occasional email, directly. She told me she’s never mass-mailed. She’s also among the best PR people I’ve worked with. There might be a correlation there.

Long story short, PR people, can you please stop spamming and mass-mailing me? It doesn’t work. Maybe do what your job title entails and actually relate to the public. (Notice above that I refer to Termeh as “my friend.” Hint hint.) Is that too expensive? If so, you are probably not a good investment of a company; give up while you still have some dignity.