Is good PR really rocket science?

I've been meaning to write about blogging and PR for a while now. Generally, I don't PR bitch. It's not my style. I'm not saying that sometimes PRs don't piss me off, but there have been times when I've fired off a blog post I know isn't great. Everyone is sometimes lazy in their job. We all cut corners. And I don't think for a second that the people who enjoy bitching about PRs on Twitter are an exception.

I'm lucky with PRs when it comes to Domestic Sluttery. We write nice things, we cover a lot of bases, we're pretty approachable. We want to hear about new things! We want exciting events and most of the time, if a PR is sending us something, it's relevant.

But there are times when bad PR really irks me. Because it's usually stuff that's so simple. I got an email earlier from someone asking if they could send me press releases (Laura Ashley, you're getting it right). It occurred to me that that had never happened before. I've been freelance for two years and I'd never have anyone ask before they sent me something. I don't mind that PRs don't, I'm happy to get press releases, but it was a really nice change to get a polite email asking if it was OK. As a result, I'm going to pay attention to what's in those releases. We get hundreds, but that one will stand out when I go through my emails in the morning.

It strikes me that a lot of good PR is actually good manners. If you take days to respond to my image requests, and then two weeks later you're all over me like a rash to write about your new clients, I'm not going to be jumping through hoops for you. If you get pissed off at me because I don't write about your client the very second you send the release, I'll start to ignore you. And if you invite me to an event and then go AWOL, but don't mention this when you email two weeks later about the same client, you'll be lucky if I deal with your company again.

It's not rocket science.

I don't ask for a lot, but I would like respect from people I work with. I don't believe in this hierarchy bullshit, like PRs should be oh-so-grateful that you're writing about their clients. Without them, my job would be much harder. I think that this goes both ways. I try and be as helpful as possible (within reason) with PRs, I'll try and reply and explain why something isn't right for me. I'll make an effort. And I'd quite like that kind of respect back. I don't think I'm asking a lot.

Unfortunately, there's some occasions when you have to deal with shitty PRs, because their clients are good. But goodness, I wonder if a major fashion brand know that their press releases were posted into the comments on a fellow writer's blog? Sometimes PRs aren't getting results because they're good at their job, it's because their clients are better than they are. They're worth the hassle. But honestly, it's those times in the day that I hate.

I don't ask for much from PRs, just politeness. Good manners and friendliness. In return, I'll be courteous and helpful and write damn good copy about your clients. Everyone's happy. That's not a lot to ask for, is it? It's not rocket science, it's just common sense.

Flickr image from Myklroventine's photostream.