Hey PR people: Think first, email later.

I've been pretty surprised at the business emails I've received over the last few days with action requests and "Hey, we haven't heard from 'so and so' yet" even though I just told you to email her yesterday which you know, HURRICANE SANDY! 

I understand that it's tough when you work online and don't know where people are based but then you take a moment to look at their email signature, take a quick second to Google their name or their area code and realize maybe they don't have power and your email about that gadget isn't as pressing as finding running water. I can hear it now:

I mean, if I didn't get affected by Hurricane Sandy did it actually really happen? -Some PR intern in Chicago, 2012 

I admit that working online forced me into the  trap of expecting instant email replies because for brief moments I forgot that some people don't have their computers on their laps or their phones in their pockets all the time. 

Now that I have more regulated working hours, I try to use my phone email sparingly because unless it's a dire emergency, which in my business is relative GOTTA SCOOP THE HARRY POTTER E-BOOKS but I figure if the email requires more than a few words, it can wait until I get back to my computer. 

And if it's from a PR person who is just following up for the 3rd time in 2 days or offering a sample or SNAP sorry too late for the sample because you took too long which means you were not as excited or grateful as the other people I emailed (PS LIFE, or, HURRICANE SANDY, or GET A FREAKING GRIP), I delete it. 

At any other time, I'd just ignore or politely thank them and go on my merry way. But when there was a major natural catastrophe that is still affecting millions of people, including many of the mothers who work for me, if I don't delete it I'll say something not so nice. 

So please think first, email later. 

Because not only does it make you look ridiculous, it doesn't reflect well on your company either. 

Comments

[Veep Veep]

Getting pitches and follow up emails during Hurricane Sandy when they all know 212 and 917 area codes are definitely New York City was pretty insensitive. (I will let it slide if they aren't up to speed about 646, 347, 718 area codes also being New York City because I wouldn't want them to actually have to remember that much.)

What's even more upsetting is the expectation that you have to be able to call, email, text right back during a Hurricane/Super Storm. Not about a heart transplant. About a gift guide item. One that was probably off topic in the first place. Or pitched to you but you don't even do gift guides!

[Mum]

Quick Disclaimer: I feel for all families affected by the storm. The sad stories coming out break my heart.

That being said...I kind of feel like we're all supposed to drop everything because this happened to the NY area. I have been through 2 hurricanes, both which produced damage as bad or worse than Sandy. I had family members whose houses were completely GONE. Wiped off the Earth. Never found. Family that were forced from their cities for 6 weeks because the damage was so bad.

I went back through Internet archives and saw responses to those hurricanes: "That's what they get for living in a hurricane area." or "You shouldn't rebuild there."

The media gave us all a day or so of coverage then went back to its own naval-gazing...aka...guess what Britney/Oprah/Jessica/Whoever did TODAY!

So...I get it. There was a hurricane. It was bad and there are people who have died and been placed in awful situations that I would absolutely hate to be placed in. I feel for all those people.

Its just...had this happened elsewhere in the country...most of the NE wouldn't have given a second thought-- definitely not days and days of coverage.

[Mom101]

We expect such immediacy, that people have gone all loopy and it's like time has no meaning. I can't count the number of PR people who email for three or four consecutive days asking, "any interest? Any interest? Any interest?" like some broken animatronic doll at Disney.

Maybe if you've gotten no interest there's something wrong with the pitch--or who you're pitching. Or uh, maybe half the Eastern Seaboard has got some other priorities besides your exciting new self-published Kindle book.

You'd really think that the PR managers would teach their employees about how to manage their jobs at times like these.

[Rachel]

I got the most irrelevant pitches during sandy without even any acknowledgement of the disaster - at least say something stupid like "I hope you are staying dry"."

The one that really took the cake was the holiday gift guide with zero pictures. I should hunt and find my own....really? ...and I already know that the iphone5 is gonna be a big hit.
R

[Julie Marsh]

I'm never a fan of folks who take their own sweet time asking the same questions over and over, and then expect me to hop to it when they get their acts together. Pair that with overseas travel and a natural disaster, and I have to shelve those emails for a few hours (or days).

[Issa]

The idea that just because we have smart phones and tablets means we should always be looking at our email is something that seriously bothers me. When I am, I am. When I'm not, it's because I'M NOT WORKING!

I say, give them a piece of your mind. If they can't understand that a hurricane could slow life down for people, well...