The Trouble With Faking It

Is I can't. I'm not talking the "it" you think I'm talking about. The "it" of Meg Ryan fame in "When Harry Met Sally." Not that I could do that either. Not that any of the men I've been with would notice. Okay, that's not fair. Maybe one would. And with him I didn't need to. Funny how that works, right? Anyway, getting back on track. I'm talking about pr. About the kind you get paid for and the kind you don't. I prefer doing the first kind. Which might explain my financial situation. Oh, to give everything away for free.

That is actually a goal of mine. To do pr for free. Because when I say I like something I'm sincere. I don't know how to be any other way. It's always been a thing with me. To tell people about stuff I like. People I like. People who are good at what they do and who are good people. Whether it be purses, facialists, doctors, designers, stores, shoes, writers, you name it. It's about the hook up. About helping people out. That's the part I like. Maybe it's because that part comes naturally to me. So why not share?

Let's be honest. It's not easy to find great people and great stuff and people who know their stuff-- to say nothing about people who genuinely believe in all of the aforementioned and sell it with enthusiasm. If it was, there would be no magazines or celebrity endorsements. Still, celebrities aren't real people and magazines are pitched by pr people who get paid to get placements. And oftentimes, we real people can't afford the kind of things made by people who can afford pr. And also oftentimes, we don't want the stuff that's made by people who can afford pr or designer goods. And then there are also other factors-- what good is it to learn about a facialist in New York if you live in Morrison, Illinois? Or the fact that advertisers might talk in advertising talk and not address real people's concerns aka your concerns and what you want? What's approachable about an ad? Don't you sometimes wonder if that salesperson really cares about you or his commission off of what you buy? Uh, huh. That's what I'm talking about. And that's why I like to share what I know with people I meet.

You need a good doctor? I have one. You need a haircolorist who rocks? I have one. The pair of pants I'm wearing? A therapist who understands health problems? Random information about random things? A person who knows x or y about a, b or c? Got it, got it, got it. Or at least I think I do.

That's just it. I might. And I might not. And I'm prepared to live with the consequences. After all, if every skincare line worked for every single person, there would be only one. If every jean fit every girl, there would be only one. I know they work for me and I can tell you why (lots and lots of of reasons why!). And I hope they work for you. But if not? At least I tried. I'll make a call, you can use my name. (Which oddly enough works for other people more than it works for me). I'm not worried about bad experiences because I don't help the kind of people who would give you one. I'll be honest with you about strengths and weaknesses. Because I believe what I'm saying. And the crazy thing is, nothing makes me happier than when nothing's in it for me.

Sure, when I worked in pr, I worked just as hard at promoting the stuff I didn't like or "get" for our clients as the stuff I did. But it never felt authentic. I never got excited about the results. And I felt like I was lying. Which I pretty much was. (This is why I would make a bad prostitute. The ONLY reason. Ha!) Because let's face it, people don't donate their time to causes they don't believe in. They just don't. If they're a celeb, they might show up at parties and get free loot and say they use something without getting paid for it, but they won't get their hands dirty. They won't spend days, weeks, years at a time speaking about the merits of something or saying how great it is, unless there's something in it for them. Like cash or product or exposure. I don't work that way. (I'm also not a celebrity, so it's not really an option. But you knew that already.)

One of my friends calls me a maven. Which sounds fancy, so I like it. She says I like to spread the word. And people listen. (Incidentally, the vedic astrologer also said that. Just in case you were wondering. But he didn't use the word maven. Then again, he's an Indian man who looks like Mr. Rogers-- if Mr. Rogers was Indian). The point is. She gets me. Finally, someone gets me! Okay, I've been "got" before. But never by someone who wasn't the same way. The good news: she created a product I believe in. The better news: I like it. I like her. So I want to help her. I want to spread the word (P.S. She also helped me...! P.P.S. I've known her since I was a Brownie. Yes, those little girls in brown uniforms. Now please see Boscia and buy, buy, buy. P.P.P.S. The sincerity part stands.) It's like the natural cycle of pr. If only it worked that way!

I saw alot of people come in to my old office (oh, how I love how that sounds... my old office!) and know they need pr and not know the first thing about it. They're a one man band, as I like to call it. A start-up designer or product developer who doesn't have the funds but know they're nothing if no one knows who they are. The problem is that oftentimes they don't even know who they are or who they're trying to reach. They do what they do. But they don't know who buys what they sell and how that defines their brand. So they listen to someone who is talking the talk and walking the walk. And lo and behold, they're signing on the dotted line. It's more money then they have. But still, they sign on. With no guarantees. Because there are none in pr. Your pr can send out press kits and product to every editor at every magazine under the sun, but there are no guarantees. Those press kits? They cost money. Product samples? Money. You should also have a website. Money. Line sheets or product brochures. Money. Product and displays for events and gift bags? Money and more money. Celebrity gifting so 1 out of 20 gifted celebrities can pretend they like your product and you can use their name to get into a magazine? Again, money. And again, no guarantees. To say nothing of sending samples and line sheets to tv shows and celebrity stylists. And don't forget those basics... like business cards and letterhead and keeping a roof over your head.

I know how the world works. And it works that way for a reason. And I know that everyone needs to make a living. And that certain things aren't practical. But wouldn't it be great if it was? Wouldn't it be great if everyone shared the wealth. Everyone spread the word and small companies got just as much exposure as big companies? And everyone was sincere about what they did and didn't like?