It's An Embargo, Margot!
Is everyone delulu, or is it me?
Happy Monday!
Let’s chat about things that aren’t important. We ALL place importance on things that are unimportant. Don’t believe me? Go to Reddit and search for snark. You’re welcome.
But first… in case you missed it, I made a very important announcement on Friday, so here it is followed by a Real Simple opp.
An Exciting Announcement
It’s the most wonderful(ish) time of the year! Holiday gift guide season! Joni Sweet (an extremely talented writer with a fantastic Substack) and I are teaming up for a special holiday-themed AMA over Zoom.
Want to know the best ways to pitch your clients to holiday gift guides for Forbes and other publications? We will share our best tips, tricks, and ideas, as well as answer your questions. This session will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 8 at noon ET (9 am PT)!
This event is exclusively for paid subscribers to both of our Substack newsletters. Even a 1-month subscription is enough to get you a spot. We think we’re worth it! Please sign up here.
A Real Simple Opp
First of all, there were tons of opps in Friday’s newsletter. So, if you missed that, here you go.
Ways To Make Your Kitchen Look Bigger, According To Designers
Can I have this by Thursday 9:00am PST, please? Subject line: Substack + Ways To Make Your Kitchen Look Bigger, According To Designers.
Would love ideas followed by more details or a how-to. I’m thinking of ways to lay out the space, paint, wallpaper, choosing the right size appliances, panel appliances, etc.
It’s An Embargo, Margot!
A lot of my email exchanges look like this lately.
PR: I want to tell you the biggest secret on Earth.
Me: Do telll… (This is intentionally misspelled because I know what’s about to happen, and I don’t have the energy to correct myself.)
PR: Do you agree to not tell anyone until three days from now and send a drop of your blood? I can mail you a postage-paid envelope.
Me: (Doesn’t see the reply because she has 15 deadlines and a toddler who won’t stop running around.)
Ten hours later...
PR: Just following up. This is the most exciting thing you will ever learn in your entire life. You might have FOMO if I can’t share it with you.
1.5 days later.
Me: Just seeing this. Yes.
PR: So let me ask, do you agree to the embargo?
Me: Yes, I agree to the embargo.
(Slams laptop and starts screaming.)
PR: We are collating with some influencer no one cares about to launch striped bedsheets in yellow. This is the seventh time we’ve made striped bedsheets, but the first time they’ve been available in yellow. Such a cool color.
Would you like the exclusive for Forbes? I am offering you the exclusive because I just want this in one top-tier pub to make my boss and client happy, so I can move on with my life.
Me: Is it too early for ranch water?
(Checks watch, it is…)
I don’t understand this approach lately, and it happens a lot. Is everyone delulu, or is it me?
I honestly find so many of these back-and-forth exchanges and embargoes to be totally pointless and exhausting over things that aren’t actually news or even all that exciting. I also abhor unnecessary email exchanges. Learning this information shouldn’t require minutes of my life I’ll never get back. And you can’t be so delulu as to believe striped sheets are exciting, right? But maybe I’m wrong.
Once a month, I think about writing a Forbes article called something like: 10 Home Launches You Need to Check Out In TK Month. But I never write this because, by the time I learn about all the cool launches, I’m exhausted and over it.
Here’s a better approach:
PR: This brand is going to have a super cool bedding launch. We’re collabing with a popular influencer, and I’m happy to offer you an email or phone interview. However, we’re not releasing this until three days from now, so if you respond with the word “yes,” you agree to the embargo date of TK.
Me: Yes.
PR: Here’s all the info…
Me: That might be interesting…
The other thing is that when you have something really exciting to launch, I’ll actually be excited about it. Perhaps even “jazzed” if you will. But currently, it’s a bit like that fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Eventually, writers will stop giving a fuck about bullshit and then ignore you when it’s actually important.
I also think you’ll get a lot more interest from writers if you approach things from a more casual angle and do not require 14 emails back and forth.
Lastly, please stop offering exclusive stories for these types of things as if it’s some major privilege and not ultimately a complete pain in the ass. At least for me, it always is. But I think I’ll get into that later this week…
Unless you are offering me an exclusive house tour with Natasha Lyonne so she can promote her new movie, I generally don’t love exclusives. (But seriously… just putting that out there because you never know.)
And I get it. You can say it: I’m kind of a c-u-next-Tuesday!
But seriously, I really love this Substack and my subscribers. I genuinely appreciate your support and help with my work. I also love having an outlet to write in a very different way than what you’re probably expecting from me. I am considering doing a monthly Zoom for paid subscribers so please comment below if that is something you might be interested in.
As Always…
Follow me on TikTok (this account is all PR tips) and Instagram (because I’m a thirst monster).
OMG i love this! I was actually planning to do next week's Substack on this very topic—with a greater focus on how the rep (usually someone you've never worked with) asks for feedback on why you turned down the pitch, and when you're kind enough to offer an explanation, they don't even say thank you. I am TOTALLY with you on these pointless "exclusives." I don't think I've ever accepted.