Yes, That IS a Bad Idea

Webster’s Dictionary … Part 2. I received a call from a potential author client and she was very passionate about her project, which is basically a knock off of something pretty darn famous and I will refer to as Webster’s dictionary … part 2. Basically, she wanted to take something that was already done and add in her own quirky definitions. First off all, I am pretty sure you cannot rip off something like Webster’s and expect that to fly. Second, I spent the majority of that call wondering if someone was playing an early April Fools Day joke on me … sadly, they weren’t. I had an easy out though … said I didn’t publish dictionaries. I would say this was a bad idea.

$1.99 wire release service. Anytime you only spend $1.99 on anything major marketing wise (brochure, website, etc. ) chances are it’s a bad idea. This is because you are most likely going to end up with something that is not the most professional. I had someone once compliment my press release left and right, and even sent it to another public relations firm who also had nothing, but great things to say. She then paid $1.99 for a wire service and then suggested to me that the writing was the reason for the lack of pick up. The conversation I had with her was as follows: ME: I have never heard of a $1.99 wire release service, what outlets did the release go out to? CLIENT: I don’t know. ME: Are they sending you a coverage report? CLIENT: I think so. ME: When? CLIENT: I am not sure. My point? You pay for what you get and if you are not using a free service you are looking at $85 – $700+.

Mass Communication Alert. Always be careful when you send out mass emails. I am always aware of what I talking about and who is on my mailing list. Every once in awhile I will receive a response to the M-Dash asking if I am talking about them and my response is always no. My general rule of thumb is not talking about people on my mailing list and it should be yours too. Another good rule of thumb is not firing someone or speaking ill of someone, via your newsletter or someone else’s. Eight degrees of separation also applies to newsletters and chances are they know someone on your list and they will find out. And, if any said accusations are untrue … you will look unprofessional, not to mention incorrect and catty. Just don’t go there.