Dean was wishing people would think before they post:
This sort of thing happens to me at least a few times a week. I'll get emails from publishers wanting to help promote some book, but they'll give no link to where people can find out about the book. Or a non-profit group will mail a lengthy announcement to me, but then will include no link where I can direct people to read the press release for themselves.
Welcome to the wacky word of DIY promo, Dean! That’s probably the #1 complaint of any media outlet, old or new. Too often, people promoting anything presume the recipient of the release or whatever already knows things they don’t. If you’re sending out an announcement about anything, don’t make the mistake of thinking you’ll maybe offend somebody by giving them too much information, as there is no such thing.
There is also a “magical thinking” component, which mystifies me even more. This was part of the discussion at the Yuma Sun Reader Board meeting I attended awhile back. One of the members is a soccer mom, and a coach complained the paper never covers their games. Our board member asked if anyone had phoned to let them know about the games, and the coach insisted the paper “already has that information.”
Well no, they actually don’t. If nobody tells them, they don’t know, it’s that simple. There are no magic sensors anywhere, no bloodhounds patrolling the area sniffing out news. Yet this odd idea persists.
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