~ yes they care, you just have to remind them…

I had a valuable lesson reinforced last week about following up on an action that I hope I will keep as a habit from now on. I’m playing a gig in Cleveland in August and I sent out press releases to newspapers and radio stations in the area in hopes of getting some press or maybe an on air interview. I did it right before the July 4th holiday, so I knew that I would not hear back right away, and I also knew that things could get lost or forgotten over a long relaxing weekend.

With that in mind I scheduled a time to make follow-up calls and follow-up emails. I’m glad I did! I’m in contact with a college radio station and I’m having a feature article written in the local newspaper. Just because I followed up. In fact the reporter that I spoke to was happy I had followed up. She had read my press release but, because of her busy schedule, had misplaced the email.

So lesson learned right? Perhaps. I think that the lesson is always there and examples of why following up is so important abound, but still we don’t do it. I think we don’t because we fill our heads with stories about the other person/entity.

“Oh I sent that press release weeks ago, they must not like my stuff… they think I’m beneath their notice… who are they to just throw my stuff in the trash… why can’t they just take a little time to call and say yes or no – is it that big of a deal?… I hate the media they’re all a bunch of <fill-in-the-blank>…

And… we hate rejection. Calling someone you don’t know only to have them tell you that your music isn’t a fit or they don’t have space for you is hard to take. Well put on the leather skin, just take it like a grown-up and then move on.

This is where the art of the matter comes in. You need to have a talent for being polite, getting your point across with out sounding demanding or diva-esque and being interested in their needs besides yours. So instead of sitting there stewing and making up false scenarios, and freaking out about them not liking you– get on the phone and call! 9 times out of 10 the media person just didn’t see your stuff amidst the pile they get EVERY DAY. And in that pile I will bet that only 1 percent actually follow-up. What does that tell you? FOLLOW UP!