If you’re gonna PR spam, at least be smarter about it!

A lot of PR agencies or corporate PR departments still believe spam is the way to go. They have built or bought quite a data base over the years, they keep expanding it and then shoot an email to everyone on the list. While they might have had some common ground when starting to develop the data base, over time names and emails just keep being added without any further checks. Who cares if you’re interested, we’ll email you anyway.

I am not talking about asking for permission, or allowing people to unsubscribe, I’m talking about at least making sure they are remotely interested in what they’ll receive. For example, why would I be interested in a debate held in Beverly Hills between a Rabbi and some woman I know nothing about on dating in a material world and if money can or cannot buy love?

If you’re gonna spam, at least be wiser than the average spammer! You should be able to at least do that if you’ve ever read anything, even a tiny article on PR and/or marketing. If you’re going to take your chance and spam, at least make sure people won’t delete your email because they simply don’t care!

I’d advise you to refrain from spam alltogether. Sure, contact someone to introduce yourself and ask for their permission to send press releases. But don’t start out with an attached PR and a one-liner asking them to call you for details!

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5 Other Comments

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  • Andrew

    Alina,

    As a prospective customer, I simply cannot stand spam of any form.

    From a corporate prospective, the only ones for whom spamming makes sense are those who do not have any form of reputation to protect.

    Andrews last blog post..Somali pirates – armed guards not the answer

  • Alina Popescu

    Andrew, I completely agree with you. Spam, in any form, is something I’d want gone forever. Still, with the strict rules, i understand companies have a hard time getting through to prospects. But asking for permission is a good way around it!

    The problem I have with PR spam is that it looks so much like the viagra spam I keep getting! They don’t even try to make it look legit! Which shows they really, really don’t care at all! It’s mind blowing to see how little consideration they have for, well, just about anyone :)

  • Fyurien

    I’m guilty! I’m soooooo guilty!

    My name is Fyurien and I’m a PR spammer! I really didn’t mean to spam, it just happened! I sent out one email with good intention… but then I freaked out and thought “What if they dont read it?”… So I sent more to other sites… and after a while I blanked out and just kept sending and sending!

    I… I… I even used a template!

    I’m so ashamed of myself!

    I need help!

  • Alina Popescu

    Fyurien, don’t worry, we’ll all help you stop spamming and put your energy to better use :P

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