If you are a writer, or any creative individual for that matter, you would do well to remember that most people in the world do not care about you or your work. The big names of the world aside, your novel, poem, painting or performance is not going to attract the attention of individuals. You have to remember that for every big name in your field, there are hundreds of thousands of individuals just like you clawing and scrapping for the public's attention. It's not pretty and you'll fail 99 times out of 100, at least.
When you go looking for press or the press comes looking for you, keep that in mind and be grateful for even the smallest of mentions. Over the years, I have noticed that creative individuals have come to express and attitude more and more of entitlement, that the press should come to them or that once the press does, the article should be a full-feature, front page story or in a prime-time news slot on radio or television. 1) When dealing with the press, do not be afraid to seek them out for a story. Yes, it feels a bit weird, but how else among the sea of individuals are they ever to know about you? 2) When you do reach out, be polite, concise and convey an attitude of excitement and energy. Although you may not pay a dime for free press, you will pay via the audience your story will garner. Increased audience equals increased advertiser dollars, which keeps the press in business. Don't make that pitch boring, and keep it short, so it won't be discarded simply because it's too long to go through. 3) Followup once. Followup twice. Followup thrice. You can't followup enough. Sent a letter or email? Great, but trying calling if you haven't heard anything in a week. Being passionate about yourself and your work can often give you the break through you need. 4) Be grateful. Ok, so maybe a small piece buried in page D5 isn't what you envisioned, but it's press, right? That article can be shared among your friends and social network. Encourage those individuals to contact the paper to thank them for the piece. The next time, the press just might give you that bigger article or time slot that you dream of, and at the very list, you are building up clippings that show you are a dedicated artist in the business side of your work as well as the creative side. Keep the faith and keep up your efforts! Miranda N. Prather
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