I was just sitting in my office stuffing envelopes, when my co-worker (and sister) yelled out to me “are you STUFFING ENVELOPES?” (our walls are a bit thin). She said it just as I was hearkening back to the “good old days” when we used to fold (with headline facing up) and stuff envelopes with press releases and media advisories, all sitting around the table at the end of a day, attempting to make the final mail pick up, often with alcohol consumption to dull the pain of paper cuts.
I'm sure we contributed to our fair share of reporters' angst
Sometimes we would include a black and white photo, or transparency if there was a remote chance that they would use color (that came with VERY expensive production costs). Aahh…the days. Now we have to have our fax number written down next to every phone, should anyone call to ask what the number is. What an antiquated piece of equipment! Reporters used to complain about the stacks of press releases and press kits in their in boxes, now they complain about junk email (as do I). So we have come a long way. Gone are the days when we used to have to plan a press announcement a week in advance to secure media coverage. Now we can do it instantaneously (as I just did, a few minutes ago, sending out a wire release and photo). But some things haven’t changed – we still have to beg and plead with the media to cover our event. You’d think that would be more efficient too.
Now I’m sure you’re wondering, what was I stuffing? As home room parent for my son’s class, I’m sending home letters with self-addressed envelopes in hopes of generating more contributions for the teacher’s end-of-year gift. And to think, an ENVELOPE might prompt the response I want!?!?
