How to approach a journalist

pr is changing

If you are a journo or a content writer, you already know how these PR folks hustle us to get us to write a story for them. I have been on both sides of the table – as a writer and now in-charge of Corporate Communications for Pinstorm.
 
As a content writer, I always wondered why the PR folks called to chat with me in the afternoons when I was normally writing a story or why they never understood that I have never written a story on ‘keyboards from Logitech’ and probably never will write about it.
 
After two years, life has come full circle. I am now in-charge of Corporate Communications and am now on the other side of the table. I must confess that some of you have been very kind to me. I have made new friends and gotten to know quite a few interesting people on the journalism front. However, I believe there can be a better way to connect or network with the majority of the writers out there.
 
So if you are/were/want to be a writer or just have some good ideas, this post is about getting your thoughts in the comments section on the few questions I’d like answered:
 
1. I prefer to add you on gtalk first and then if I get to know you better, on FaceBook too. Will you take offence?
2. Would you take offence if I called you out for lunch to know you better? If yes, what do you think is an alternative?
3. I have this really big announcement to tell you about and you are not willing to take my calls or reply to mails, is there any other way apart from pestering you by repeatedly calling and emailing?
4. What is the best way to approach a writer? (a reply of more than 20 words would be most appreciated.)
It’ll be great if you can leave your thoughts on the same in the comments section.

Image Credits: gapingvoid

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Am alive, really!

Yes, it’s been a while since I’ve done this–blogged. Life has been OK so far, nothing out of the ordinary. Since I’ve last posted, Granny has passed away and I’ve had some time to ponder over life, the universe and everything. What’s good though is that I am back with a bang and have quite a few thing s to look forward to.

The birthday went off surprisingly well and I didn’t think I could be wished by so many people too… feels good to know that so many people remember my birthday (or just say my birthday notification on FB or Orkut and didn’t forget to wish), it’s the thought that counts.

I’ve been having an interesting debate within myself and with a friend to move my blog to the WordPress platform. The advantages are moving to a more widely accepted blogging platform, the ability to have FULL control over your blog skin, and to have readymade plugins that can do all sorts of things.

The bad part of it all is that I’ll have to find hosting space AND pay for bandwidth charges, which am not willing to do. The move will also make sure that I interact with a WSIWYG editor that does not work too well with Opera. Also, if I move to WP from blogger, all my comments from blogger will be lost 🙁 Therefore, if you guys know of anyone who can make me a good three-column, minimalistic theme for blogger, let me know.

Nothing much happening apart from all this. Watch this space for new updates soon!

j j j