Comments on: Party Hats Required

By: Amy

Amy — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:16:52 +0000

It’s an amazing idea. We’re considering using eReleases, and will be disappointed if we don’t receive a welcome letter complete with party hats!
To RT Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh…
Following “best practices” is a great way to stifle innovation & ensure that your business is average and behind the times.

By: TL Birdwell

TL Birdwell — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 19:36:28 +0000

The real proof is always in the pudding. When I contract with a business for any kind of service, I only care about one thing – RESULTS!!! Since your people do their work mostly “behind the scenes” I don’t care if you show up to work in your pajamas with a 3-day beard!! As long as the press release you write for me looks professionally done, is error-free and most-importantly: gets the results I expect!

By: Shirley Mott

Shirley Mott — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:20:24 +0000

Wow! Interesting response(s) I write press releases on a freelance basis (amongst other things.) and take my work with a client very seriously. And I believe you do, too, Mickie. However, when you are working under a deadline for numerous clients, stressed out about trying to please everyone, sometimes you need to take a break and laugh. I see what you did as more of an ice-breaker, not ‘hype’.

Unfortunately, non-creative types do not always understand how the creative mind operates. Serious when need be; but able to think out of the box when you’re coming up with attention-grabbing articles, headlines or whatever. (I was just at a networking session where we did an exercise with mundane headlines and brainstormed as small groups how to make it appealing to editors and readers – creativity was definitely necessary!)

Take your job seriously, but have a little fun with it, too! I’m guessing your employees enjoy the spontaneity.

Shirley Mott
@writeword

By: Paul Fanning

Paul Fanning — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:54:09 +0000

Keep the hats.
Lose the clients who don’t get it.
It amazes me that there are still so many people who maintain such rigid definitions of “professionalism.”
If I ever need erelease services, you will get my call.

By: Cindy Novak

Cindy Novak — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 14:12:35 +0000

Mickie,

I love it! I think it’s a great idea. Whenever there is a merger or acquisition, tensions can be high. What a great way to relieve the tension and get someone to smile! I would love to be of an organization that wants their employees to smile!

You’re the best!

Cindy Novak

By: Catherine J Frompovich

Catherine J Frompovich — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:29:38 +0000

I sort of agree with Paula. I don’t like “hype.” Frankly, it turns me off. However, I do appreciate sophisticated humor.
I’m in the process of making up my mind about working with EReleases for my new book coming out in Sept-Oct 2009, and I certainly wouldn’t want something like that for my project. Even tho it may get attention, it leaves a “bad” taste all-way-round, I truly believe. It questions credibility.
Furthermore, I think it tends to “seed” some doubts about professionalism on EReleases part. Have I said enough?