RRD#@>     The only time I went along with the approval was with the first few
RRD#@>articles I wrote.  I was totally green and didn't know it wasn't standard
RRD#@>practice to let the subject read the article before it went to press.  Af
RRD#@>the third time, I put a stop to it.  I also stopped promising to let them
RRD#@>know when the story would come out because it just took up too much time.

"When will this be in the paper?" is one of the questions I heard most
frequently.  I'll sometimes try to give them some idea of how things
have been running (the smaller papers are likely to print
stories within two or three weeks, the Royal Oak paper can take
longer)...always with the caveat that heavy news weeks (especially
around local election time or school graduation time) will push things
back and that if they don't see the story in a few weeks' time, they
should call the editor because he has the final say when the story
appears...not me <g>  The ad people sometimes let their customers know
when a story appears about them, too.
You're right...it would take too much time to call people when their
stuff goes to press (especially as I can have 8-12 stories appear in a
given month...along with a batch of "Beat" blurbs)

RRD#@>Besides, if they didn't know when the story would be in, they
RRD#@>subscribe in order to catch it and I got $5 for every subscription
RRD#@>if I didn't know I'd sold a subscription. I certainly didn't TRY
RRD#@>subscriptions. Hell, I don't even like to TRY to sell
RRD#@>subscriptions to my own rag because I hate selling things.

I hate the idea of selling, too.  I've always loudly objected when
someone says I'd be good at selling ads for the paper <g>  I've
sometimes managed to soften up someone for the ad folks...usually when
I've been assigned to do a new business and the subject asks who to call
for advertising in the paper.  I've *never* solicted ads, but I *have*
forwarded names to the ads folks when I've been asked to do so.  I've
"found" several good accounts for the paper this way (one notable one
was an appliance store...I noticed the place was opening in a former
children's clothing store because I passed it every day on my way into
work.  I mentioned it to the editor, and he gave me the go-ahead to see
what was going on with the new store and write a short feature article.
I called and, in the course of talking to one of the managers, he asked
who to contact for advertising. I forwarded the name to the ad
manager...and it's been a good account for the paper ever since (mostly
circular inserts...good $$).


 * OLX 2.1 TD * Well, paint me green and call me Gumby!