A warning to all PoweR Girls...

Jolie, are we operating on the same media world (not to mention pop culture-obsessed) wavelength?

I think this beauty editor must have been attacked by PR people yesterday, because after she waxed eloquently about the typical editor-flack relationships, she also posted a helpful list of rules all PoweR Girls should (try their best to) memorize, or at the very least post in their magazine-clip covered cubicle.

Jolie in NYC: Rules for PR people to live by

I couldn't agree more, but may I also add a few of my own...

6) Target your pitches to the appropriate magazine, then the appropriate editor and section. Read the publication and, as Jolie mentioned, make a point to check out the masthead every month to become familiar with the names and keep an eye out for any editor changes (they happen endlessly, it seems!). Even better, pay attention to industry updates like mediabistro's Revolving Door and Fashion Week Daily. If you don't want to be treated like an outsider, don't stay on the outside.

7) Don't ever feel (and certainly never act) entitled to a response from every editor you call or email. They are already handling more than what's outlined in their job description, and you, the 564th PR person to call or email that week, are not that special. Don't ever take it personally.

8) Rule #7 does not mean that you should treat editors the same way. I always remember editors who contact me and drop everything (or at least act like I am) to facilitate their request or answer their questions. I treat them like friends, which isn't so hard considering we're all pretty much women in our 20s & 30s. If editors feel good when they deal with you, whether or not the interaction results in a placement, they'll be more apt to contact you again. Relationships are the basis of PR (duh).

9) Believe in your client's service/product/whatever your pushing. Not every PoweR Girl is so lucky, but if you can at least fake some enthusiasm it may become contagious. If you actually like what you're pitching, you'll feel less smarmy making those dreaded follow-up calls.

Ugh, that's more than enough work-related blogging for my own good. I promise no more PR posts....for at least a week!