What Tom Could Learn from Facebook

I’m a lurker, not a critic…but I had to jump in. I think this Utterz full disclosure comment is a bit silly. Maybe if Cellspin did that sort of research before spamming Chris they would have avoided this ‘rant’. No?

…and why would they want to avoid it? :)

Great post and a pitch perfect response to the claim I keep hearing that social media/networking apps are nothing more than an extension of our societies determination to isolate ourselves from one another.

Hi Chris,

I’m new to your blog, basically because I started following you on Twitter and saw your post- and I have to say, the way the comments unfolded is interesting.

First of, I have to empathize with you- of course that feels like crap.

The only thing I think missing, and few readers commented on it (sorry, I didn’t remember the names, and the list is too long for me to dig back through it!) that whatever grievous errors Tom made, you are certainly allowed to feel the way you feel, and, on reflection, it would be great to see some compassion coming in.

If we’re really wanting to teach people about relationship-building, which is millenia-old and has nothing to do with technology, then putting people into a learning space involves bringing some compassion to the conversation.

Just a balance between having the true reaction you’re having, and remembering that the other gal/guy is human, too.

These kinds of reactions bouncing back and forth is how we get entrenched in the first place.

So, just a thought on tone. Otherwise, I completely agree with your points. Thanks for being so honest and open about the whole thing. That’s worth big points in my book.

Chris, I definitely don’t think you owe Tom an apology. His comment, when he finally did join the conversation here, was abrasive and defensive. I’ve seen far harsher blasts than yours against bad PR tactics/practitioners. You were relatively gentle.

Besides, as many have alluded, there’s no such thing as bad PR, right? So all of this conversation is likely bringing about good things for Tom and/or Cellspin, assuming what they’re offering has value. He should be thanking you, not expecting an apology!

The absolute worst thing you can do to a PR person is not flame us in your blog. It’s ignore us. :P

( @LaraK on twitter… blog to come soon! )

Chris, All:
Great discussion! Good points all around. I’ve been on the media, agency and client sides and these things usually become “PR Pet Peeves.” I’m glad this is more helpful/hopeful To that end, Jason Falls nails it here (http://www.socialmediaexplorer.com/2008/04/28/how-do-i-get-placement-on-blogs/)
Chris, thanks for moderating a lively debate!
ahg3

LOL!!!
Good times indeed! I love me some good drama in the morning! :P

I had to check out cellspin for all the comotion it caused…. good to say that at least the product is better than the PR man (contract or otherwise)

So, Chris did anyone from cellspin ever write back to you? I’m sure that’s on people’s mind right now after all the responses.

@Ryan Hupfer, ahhhh you’re probably right!

Chris, won’t you feel badly if Tom should lose his job over this? He sent you an embargoed press release not a steaming pile of dog poop. I didn’t care much for his response but you could be hurting this man’s career. I hope you’ll do the right thing.

@Keith – Actually, I have to say that I got a *great* and polite email from Ian Fung, CEO of CellSpin, and he seemed like a decent guy. We talked a bit about it, and his last point was that THIS conversation was out of his hands. Meaning, I don’t think he wants to weigh in on this part of the discussion.

If I were CEO, would I want to jump in? Not sure. Because again, I’m not attacking his company. I’m pooping on an impression one person left me. Seems like something that will blow over.

@Eleanor – I don’t want Tom to lose his job, but do I want people like Tom to do something a little different next time? Sure. But then, I’m still considering what that is. That’s a blog post after I finish with some day job stuff.

Thanks again.

I actually emailed Tom and told him to respond if he had the time…guess he’s doesn’t? Also, at least Tom didn’t contact you from a PR agency doing this – just another guy trying to get some traction in this crazy webified world of ours.

I’m guessing that sometimes you have to piss a few people off in order to accomplish your goals in life. Dare I give the breaking eggs & omelette example?

Oh crap, I just did.

thanks chris. just wanted to clear something else up. i am not the CEO of CellSpin. i am a co-founder and the software architect. like you said, this is a PR issue and there was no mention about the company. to be honest, i’m a little out of my depth here about such things. i will leave my CEO bobby singh to comment. as was already posted here, you can find more information about the co-founders at http://www.cellspin.net/about/

Thanks Chris. I really dig your blog, I really do. But, does making an example out of this guy or teaching him how you think he, or anyone else for that matter, should be a good publicist accomplish the goals of your blog?

To be honest, after seeing someone get “outed” and the comments that fed this thing – I would be a little scared to start that relationship you suggested for those who wanted to pitch you.

As a true fan, I really hope you’ll do the right thing.

Do it Bobby, do it.

p.s. Here’s the press release:

http://biz.yahoo.com/cnw/080429/ca_cellspin_mobile.html?.v=1

@Ian – sorry about that. I didn’t read closely, evidently. And as the architect, you’re right. Hide away and make great code. I’m not being facetious. That’s a lot to deal with, and I wouldn’t want to deal with all this either. (I used to be a partial architect at my old wireless organization, and I never touched marketing/pr/etc).

@Eleanor – interesting. So what should I have done differently, from your perspective?

Hurrrrrrrah!!! Absolutely brilliant, Chris. I love it. (Though, for me, I tend to make posts like this anonymous and not necessarily out the culprit).

Thank you for putting into words the feelings I’ve been having for months now about people who don’t seem to get that dumping a multiple-recipient email into my Facebook inbox hocking their wares is NOT the way to go. In fact, it creates the totally opposite effect – a distinct eeeeuuch (((wrinkles up nose))) (that’s my Scottish reaction! lol).

I mean just the other day, a TOP internet marketing gazillionaire drops me a bulk Facebook email – our first ever interaction – quote: “it’s cool we’re friends… I wanted to give you a gift.” And, hello? The gift is buying his $3k program. Um, sir? What planet? Friend, my a**.

Okay, (((steps down off high horse))).

From my perspective, I see two options – 1) Hit delete on the e-mail and never read stuff from Tom again. Too passive? Ok. Or, 2) simply not publish Tom’s name or the company he works for but still told your story.

I hate saying this to you because I really do respect your work, but by publsihing his name and such this all became a cyber bar fight. I think, and let me say that again, I think that if you had withheld his info you woudn’t have had the volume of comments that you’ve had. I think your work can stand on its own without publicly embarrasing Tom.

@Eleanor – I think you’re right. I think calling him out by name was probably wrong, as is calling out the company in question.

Now, in some circles, it’s bad form to edit a post (especially with 102 comments). But maybe I should do that. Take out the name, at least. I think I will.

Thanks for your advice.

I manage communication for three, Indianapolis-based financial companies, and I had to teach the CEO about proper media relations etiquette. We have yet to touch on blogger relations. I’d like to have a discussion with you about social media sometime. I spent the last three years in graduate school. While I’ve learned much, I was woefully disappointed with the media strategies class where we “touched” and I mean “touched gently,” the whole SM thing. I mentioned Twitter and the prof thought I had mispronounced the Looney Tunes character. Anyway, I’ve been following you on Twitter, and I think in Facebook too — but hold me to that.

It’s all great stuff …

Even then, if you blurt-market me, I’ll drop you. I can’t do that to you in my inbox, except for reporting you as spam, and even then, it’s less satisfying.

Exactly.

Getting your product out there is about building relationships with a wide range of people, whether it’s journalists, bloggers or industry influencers.

The key to successful outreach, whoever your target may be, is investing in relationships, through open communications at a one-on-one level.

While some people have commented that there are PR folks getting “lazy” – I think it is more about understanding how to navigate the new challenges that social media presents. The game has changed, and at times it can be difficult to know all the new rules.

Gosh, you’re funny as hell! I saw that at SOBCon08 so I wasn’t surprised when you humorously told the guy who tried to send you a press release to at least pretend he gave a rats ass about you and read your “stupid little blog” (as you put it).

Oh good Lord, that made me let out a rip-roaring belly laugh. That was so good – it was so spontaneous. Felt great. While I was laughing, I surely got your point. At least get to know you, right? Why can’t people just take the time to connect? I’ll never understand that.

Anyway, I love your blog. I plan to come back time and time again. :)

Stephen’s comment sparked something I’ve been thinking about for a while. To flip the table a bit:

I’ve been having an issue (mostly with print journalists), that when they do pick up my story, they never let me know. Let me know please. Just send me a quick email going “Cool, I’m on it.”

I don’t want to have to dig around. Unlike most PR folk, I don’t blast releases around. I target specifically to them. I tailor almost every letter. Why? I have very specialized sites I’m talking about. If I spent the time and energy specially crafting a letter to you, don’t just ignore it.

I don’t expect a response for everything. But if you like the story and you write about it, please let me know. That’d be nice.