Whether a reporter rejects a story pitch from a PR person or a PR person demurs on a reporter’s request for a comment or interview, just saying the word “no” seems to be an issue in favor of more long-winded and insincere responses.
In this week’s episode of Tales From the Beat I look at the art of “no” and why there’s no need to blather on and on. Just get it done concisely and professionally. I’ll also show you how ChatGPT handled the task. It ain’t pretty!
( Human Beinz)
NOooo…nooo..TWO LITTLE LETTERS, PACK SO MUCH DISAPPOINTMENT, FRUSTRATION, NEGATION. IF THE WORD IS SO SHORT, WHY ARE WE SO LONG-WINDED IN AVOIDING IT, ONLY TO SAY THE SAME THING?
HI EVERYONE. I’M ED GARSTEN AND WELCOME TO EPISODE 82 OF TALES FROM THE BEAT WHERE WE LOOK AT NEWS AND PR FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE SCRIMMAGE LINE.
WHEN I ASK PEOPLE THAT QUESTION I GET ANSWERS LIKE, “WELL, THAT’S SO ABRUPT!” OR “KINDA RUUUUDE!” WHY? THE PERSON ASKING FOR SOMETHING YOU DON’T WANT TO AGREE TO GETS THEIR ANSWER QUICKLY AND YOU GET TO MOVE ON TO RUINING SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY FORTHWITH.
WHY AM I ACTING SO NEGATIVE THIS WEEK? WELL, IT’S BECAUSE I SPEND A LOT OF TIME SAYING NO WITHOUT SAYING NO IN THE HONEST QUEST TO SOUND COURTEOUS, RESPECTFUL AND PROFESSIONAL…AND NOT LIKE AN ARROGANT ASSHOLE.
IN FACT, I GO THROUGH ALL SORTS OF SEMANTIC HOOPS TO SAY NO IN THE MOST TACTFUL, YET EXPEDIENT WAY WHEN I HAVE TO TURN DOWN A STORY PITCH. IT’S SOMETHING EVERY REPORTER IS FACED WITH. MOST STORY PITCHES YOU RECEIVE DON’T HIT THE MARK, OTHERS ARE POORLY WRITTEN, SOME YOU JUST DON’T LIKE FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER.
WHEN PR PEOPLE DESPAIR THEY’RE NOT GETTING RESPONSES TO THEIR PITCHES IT’S BECAUSE BESIDES BEING CRUSHED FOR TIME REPORTERS DREAD HAVING TO COME UP WITH DIFFERENT WAYS OF SAYING NO WITHOUT JUST SAYING IT.
YOU CAN TAKE THE EASY WAY OUT AND USE AI TO GENERATE A REJECTION. I’LL SAVE YOU THE TROUBLE. I ASKED CHATGPT TO WRITE A REJECTION TO A STORY PITCH TO A PR PERSON. READY? GRAB A CUP OF COFFEE OR A DEXADRINE TO STAY AWAKE WHILE I READ WHAT MY BOT BITCH WROTE. HERE GOES:
Subject: Re: Story Idea Submission – “The Enigmatic Expedition”
Dear [PR Person’s Name],
Thank you for reaching out and presenting the story idea titled “The Enigmatic Expedition.” We appreciate the effort you’ve put into crafting this proposal and the opportunity to review it. However, after careful consideration, we regret to inform you that we will not be pursuing this particular story idea for publication at this time.
While the concept of an enigmatic expedition certainly holds potential intrigue, we found that it lacks the unique angle or narrative hook that would make it stand out amidst the plethora of adventure and exploration-themed content in today’s media landscape. Additionally, the proposed storyline seemed somewhat generic and failed to capture our attention in a way that would compel our readers.
We understand the importance of fresh and compelling storytelling, and we encourage you to continue brainstorming and refining your ideas. If you have any other story concepts or pitches that you believe might align more closely with our publication’s interests and audience, please don’t hesitate to submit them for consideration in the future.
REALLY? THAT SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING A COLLEGE KID ASSIGNED A 10-THOUSAND WORD RESEARCH PAPER WOULD WRITE, PADDING EVERY SENTENCE WITH PURE GRADE A BULLSHIT. IF I WAS A PR PERSON RECEIVING THIS MIS-GUIDED MISSILE I’D HANG UP MY FLAK JACKET FOR GOOD AND HEAD FOR THE NEAREST PUB—DURING 4 FOR 1 HAPPY HOUR AND OBLITERATE ANY REMNANTS OF RECENT MEMORY.
NOW, I HAVE SEEN THIS ACTUAL CONCISE, ALMOST CURT, REJECTION FROM A HUMAN BEING REPORTER. “NOPE, NOT FOR ME.” I KINDA LOVE THAT ONE. NOT REALLY RUDE, NOT ENTIRELY POLITE, BUT NOT ASS-HOLEY. JUST FOUR MONOSYLLABIC WORDS THAT MAKE IT CLEAR THE STORY PITCH DIDN’T FIND A FAN.
THERE’S A VARIATION OF THAT ONE THAT DOES KINDA CROSS THE LINE. IT GOES LIKE THIS, “NOPE, NOT REALLY FOR ME.” WELL, REALLY! IN CASE JUST SIMPLY SAYING “NOT FOR ME” DIDN’T ADEQUATELY CONVEY REJECTION. PERSONALLY, I REALLY FIND PEOPLE WHO TOSS IN REALLY, ARE REAL TWITS.
WHAT DO I USE? WELL, I HAVE A SORT OF REJECTION COLLECTION THAT RANGES FROM RESPECTFUL TO CONTEMPTUOUS.
FOR MOST PITCHES THAT I JUST DON’T CARE FOR I’LL REPLY WITH A SIMPLE “THANKS FOR GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR STORY IDEA, BUT I HAVE TO PASS.”
DON’T HAVE THE BALLS TO SAY THAT, YOU CAN ALWAYS USE THE COWARD’S COROLLARY: “THANKS FOR GETTING IN TOUCH WITH YOUR STORY BUT MY EDITOR HAS DECIDED TO PASS AT THIS TIME.”
SOMETIMES IT’S A PRETTY GOOD STORY BUT YOUR CALENDAR IS FULL. SO THAT’S HOW I RESPOND. “THANKS A LOT FOR GETTING IN TOUCH. GREAT STORY BUT I’M AFRAID MY EDITORIAL CALENDAR IS COMPLETELY FULL AT THIS TIME.”
THEN THERE’S MY RESPONSE TO A WEAK OR HALF-BAKED PITCH. “THANKS FOR YOUR STORY IDEA BUT IT’S JUST NOT RIGHT FOR MY PUBLICATION.” IT LETS THEM KNOW THEY MISSED THE MARK WITHOUT COMPLETELY INSULTING THE HARD-WORKING PR PERSON WHO MAY HAVE BEEN COMPELLED TO TRY TO SELL A NON-STORY BY THE CLIENT.
WHERE IT GETS TIME-CONSUMING IS WHEN THE PR PERSON COMES BACK AT YOU AND ASKS WHY? OY. THE TRICK IS NOT TO WASTE TOO MUCH TIME BY BEING CONCISE AND DIRECT.
“THE STORY DID NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT NEWS VALUE,” OR “THE STORY DID NOT FIT THE SUBJECTS I COVER ON MY …… BEAT.” ON OCCASION , WHEN APPROPRIATE, I’LL ADD, “THIS IS AN INCREMENTAL DEVELOPMENT. PLEASE COME BACK TO ME WHEN THINGS ARE FURTHER ALONG.”
NOW BECAUSE I’M OF A CERTAIN AGE AND SEMI-RETIRED WITH A LITTLE MORE TIME THAN FULL-TIME JOURNALISTS, IF I HAVE A LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH A PR PERSON I WILL OFFER MORE DETAILED COMMENTARY. IF I THINK THEIR PITCH WAS CLOSE BUT JUST MISSED I HAVE ACTUALLY OFFERED SOME THOUGHTS ON WHAT WOULD HAVE WORKED OR WHAT WAS MISSING.
I HAVE EVEN ENJOYED WHEN SOME OF THE SHARPER, MORE EXPERIENCED PR PEOPLE REBUT MY REJECTION AND ATTEMPT TO SAVE TO THE STORY BY TELLING ME WHY I’M WRONG. IN A COUPLE OF INSTANCES OUR LITTLE DEBATES RESULTED IN RECASTING THE STORY AND SAVING THE DAY FOR BOTH OF US.
OK..SO FAR ALL I’VE BLATHERED ON ABOUT IS REPORTERS SAYING NO TO PR PEOPLE. IT DOES WORK THE OTHER WAY TOO.
WELL..JUST THE OTHER DAY I INVITED A COMPANY I OFTEN COVER TO ADD SOME COMMENTS IN A STORY WHERE IT WOULD BE MENTIONED BUT NOT NECESSARILY FEATURED. SO I REQUESTED A SHORT INTERVIEW WITH THE CEO, WITH WHOM I’VE SPOKEN SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE YEARS.
THIS TIME AROUND, AFTER A DAY OR TWO, I GET AN EMAIL FROM THE COMPANY FLAK SAYING NOT JUST THE CEO, BUT NO ONE FROM THE COMPANY COULD SPEAK WITH ME DUE TO “SCHEDULING ISSUES.”
LOOK, I NEVER LIVED ON A FARM BUT I’M QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THE AROMA OF A BOVINE B.M. SMELLED A LOT LIKE SOMEONE JUST COULDN’T SAY ‘NO’ BUT I’LL GIVE HER A COUPLE OF STYLE POINTS.
TO ME THAT WAS A MISSED OPPORTUNITY BECAUSE IT WASN’T A NEGATIVE STORY AND WOULDN’T HAVE PUT THE COMPANY IN A BAD LIGHT…INDEED IT WAS A WAY TO BROADEN THE SCOPE OF THE STORY AND GIVE OTHER RELATED COMPANIES A LITTLE EXPOSURE. IT’S OK…THAT COMPANY’S COMPETITION WAS HAPPY TO PLAY.
TRUTH IS, JUST BY NATURE OF OUR BUSINESS YOU CAN’T SAY NO TO SAYING NO AT TIMES BUT LOOK, EVERYONE’S JUST TRYING TO DO THEIR JOBS WITH NOT A LOT OF TIME TO WASTE, SO WHEN YOU DO HAVE TO SAY NO, JUST GET IT DONE TACTFULLY, PROFESSIONALLY, CONCISELY…TO THAT STRATEGY FOR SAYING NO… I SAY ..YES.
THAT’S TALES FROM THE BEAT FOR THIS WEEK. THANKS SO MUCH FOR LISTENING. I HOPE YOU’LL COMMENT, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE. I’M ED GARSTEN AND I’LL BE BACK NEXT TIME..WITH MORE TALES. TAKE CARE.
Tales From the Beat 