So awhile ago (last fall) I was thinking about writing for a local sports newspaper here in Baltimore. I was in contact with the editor and she wanted me to write a few samples about lesser-covered sports- like tennis. So I did a little research and found out about some of the prominent tennis peoples in the Baltimore area, and planned to do a small article on the popularity of tennis in Baltimore compared to other areas of Maryland. Well one thing led to another (aka teaching) and I never got around to writing the piece.
Before I got busy, however, I did spend a lot of time contacting people to gather information. There was one person I contacted and was very interested in speaking with because she did a lot of work setting up youth tennis programs in the area. She never did return my emails or calls though. I tried multiple times to get in contact with her, but it was to no avail. I was disappointed because I felt she could contribute a lot to my potential article.
Can you guess who just emailed me today? Yup, the lady I tried so futilely to get in contact with nine months ago. Here is her email:
Hi Mike,
We spoke awhile ago on the phone. I recall you're a tennis enthusiast. I am hoping you may have an interest in covering/writing about this story. It has heart! Attached is the press release.
Nice email.
Except I never told you I was a tennis enthusiast.
I never told you that because we never spoke.
Basically she wants to use me to write her piece about some local tennis bullshit charity thing, and I will have none of it. First, she didn't say please. Second, she was an asshole and never responded to my requests to speak. Third, you lied to me in the email saying "we spoke". Shut up crazy bitch.
I'm sure in the world of journalism you can't take stuff like this to heart and should appreciate the "lead", so it's a good thing I'm not a journalist. And since I'm not, I will not be used to promote you and your event. Show a little decency and at least respond to an email or phone call next time. Even if it's just to say your too busy at the current time.
Like me. Right now I am responding and saying I am wayyyyy too busy at the current time with important things, like not her.
~Mikey D
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2 comments:
It goes both ways though. She wants to use you for publicity, and you want to use her for your story. Mutual benefit is the key to building good relations (or so I was told in an intro P.R. class anyway...)
Correction: I DID want to use her for my story, now I don't care.
She wants me to write a story specifically on this event, not even for my own story.
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