Last week I learnt a very valuable lesson in my placement. The value of picking up the phone!
I have been trying to be strategic in recent weeks in my activities at my prac organisation, by sending different emails with targeted angles to selected media, as opposed to bulk press release emails to everyone! I have also tried using my creativity to make these one off emails stand out from the crowd and break through the media clutter.
This week however I decided to just pick up the phone and give one particular editor a call. I hadn't spoken with her before so I was a little nervous. I called about one thing in particular and ended up having a fantastic chat about what she is working on in her pages in the next few weeks and a photo shoot that she wants to use one of our clients for next week. She said she had been meaning to give me a call after receiving a press kit I sent out a couple of weeks back but hadn't gotten around to it.
I think this is a good example of getting on the phone and just making something happen. I've found you definitely get more from people when you speak to them on the phone as emails can be quite easy to ignore!
6 comments:
Hi Ellie,
I think your experience here demonstrates exactly how digital communication is no substitute for old fashion communication - whether it be face to face or over the phone.
After all, we are communication professionals, I don't think there's any excuse for ANY of us not to pick up the phone! It's our job!
Well done, all the best!!!
Tobias
Hi
For sure using the phone is much more effective than emailing. Basically, emailing is better when there is a bulky database. The phone is quite better for shorter lists but as Tobias said sometimes what some would call old fashion communication is quite better.
Reading your post made me realise something i often think about. Being proactive in our field of practice is very very important. As you have seen yourself, just picking up the phone can make things occur.
Nice post,
Olivier.
C.T.I
What a fantastic post! Thank you for sharing your insights with us, Ellie! This couldn't come at a better time. Speaking as a person that is currently being overloaded with emails, I can only agree. Picking up the phone makes all the difference, helps you to cut through the clutter and essentially gets results quicker!
Congratulations on this fantastic contact you have made!
Picking up the phone is the best way to get an answer as well, but I still find it very daunting. I'm getting better over time. It also depends on what you are following up on as well. I have overheard a funny experience at a pr firm that I once worked at where one of the consultants was following up on whether local media had received her 'animal chocolates' press release. She was so ashamed at making the call as there was no real depth or meaning to the press release and everyone she called had a rude and abrupt response for wasting their time. As it was a very open office, everyone could hear her telephone conversations and were all giggling as she worked through her database. Poor girl! I guess it really comes down to how news worthy and relevant you can make the story that will ultimately give you the confidence you need.
I like your words of making something happen. It shows the importance of getting things done with your initiative regardless of the communication trends.
I believe there is fear in us to communicate face to face or over the phone with a particular individual.
Like Tobias had mentioned, we are communication professionals. So, we know the way to manipulate our words because sometimes it can be a sharp knife but also a healer.
Good JOb ;)
Jenny
Hey Ellie, I know what you mean!
Emailing is definitely the easier option, especially when you can try use the excuse 'well I'm still just waiting for a response...' but the phone gets you that response straight away.
I had a similar experience where I had spoken to someone in a meeting about what I was working on, and told by that person she had something that could help.
So I followed it up with the typical email, to no response. I was a little worried it would be considered nagging to phone her a few days later, but I decided to give it a go.
I got an instant response and was told it was so much more convenient!
We've all just got to get past what seems like the easier option, as the other can usaully be the most productive!
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