“Jayvee Fernandez? Who are you?” The girl at the registration table didn’t see my name on the list. I double checked — I knew I had confirmed with the PR agency a couple of days ago. But this was getting embarrassing as I was holding up the line. I must say that It is awkward to be writing for a technology magazine — with decent circulation — and be cock-blocked this way.
“I wish Adel and Howard were here,” as two of my senior colleagues from the magazine I wrote for could have just waltzed in even without a press ID. I envied that position. Not the editorial position they had on the mast head, but the position of authority they held because of the fearlessness of what they wrote. And the credibility.
That was in 2006.
Today is different. Four years later I, as much as possible, shun events. I shun the PR play (but maybe not the buffet). Four years later, I’ve learned the art of saying NO, so that you become more coveted. Four years later, I am relevant. Not as someone from the media or as a blogger. “I” am relevant.
——————–
Go and make a name for yourself. Don’t waste time in events. Don’t wait for news to come to you. Go and be awesome. Detract from the trail of the script they give you in press conferences. Let your personality shine. If you want them to respect blogs, then give them a reason to.
Don’t go to the PR guy. Go direct to client.
Respect the PR guy. He can help you in the future when things get sticky.
But first, write something awesome. Not in praise of the machinations of the PR industry, but in praise of free speech. Write it well.
Do it again.
Push yourself to say more than the obvious.
Don’t take photos. Cull emotions. Don’t drown it with text.
Be relevant.
Be indignant about the status quo. Change it.
Change your template also.
Be more informed than them.
Be friendly. Be more than friendly. Be controversial.
Don’t whine. Don’t complain.
Say no sometimes.
Use keywords. But also be brazened.
Ship.
End with a bang.
Repeat.
21 replies on “Instructions”
Brilliant Jayvee. Thank you for this post.
I would have to say that blogging is in its birth stages still. Advertisers are in a rush to get into it because it is THE wave of the future. But in reality, Many do not know about it. Many know about it but do not understand it (or just overanalyze it.)
So even 4 years after (as stated in the anecdote), blog advertising is STILL in it’s birth pain stages. There are lots to learn and lots to unlearn and it takes time…
Just keep calm. SMILE. Be clear about your objectives. Learn more about the advertiser. Learn more about bloggers. And more importantly, strive to always be better at your craft 🙂
[…] blogger Jayvee nailed it: so long as you’re relevant, you’ll be in […]
Hi Jayvee,
CLAP CLAP CLAP! Very well said. You were there? Cy and I were there too. A lot of people roughed it last night–It was not a very well planned out event–clients, advertisers, bloggers, models, personalities, media people all had to patiently stand up and see how the night will pan out–no one did the diva thing and expected a VIP treatment–not even the very pretty mother-daughter tandem Pia and Maxene — I reckon there’s nothing more to expect no?. I am going to blog about the event but in my own creative way–as a date for me and Cy while he monitored the buffet — so much more positive and interesting rather than waging a war hehe
See you soon! We should have our monthly thing w/ Didi and Anton hahaha
XOXO,
Kai 🙂
i love your answer. journalism is a duty, not a privilege.
Well said! xoxo
Hi Jayvee!
Nice post. 🙂
I had a better idea of the issue when I read the Animetric blog.
Clap. Clap. Clap. Well said Jayves! You write with confidence and conviction.
Well said.
I think you’ve omitted something very important: readers.
Note: Be brazen. Brazen is an adjective not a verb.
“Change your template also.”
Why is it always the template? Isn’t traffic growth more important? Isn’t reader demographics more relevant?
Let’s be honest. Bloggers do not become popular because they can compete with journalists in terms of professionalism. They become relevant when their blogs begin to get noticed. That’s all the PR people need from you–to spread the word. Now, a journalist or a celebrity writes a blog; that’s another matter. Blogs become mere extensions of their personalities. An anonymous blogger depends solely on his reach and the type of people he reaches.
Don’t think dahil uso last year ang blogging, magiging uso pa rin ngayon yan. I think companies who have tried out blog advertising have come out disappointed (I only have anecdotal evidence on this) because of the low returns, and they have become wiser. Stop being naive and please stop over-hyping blogs and instead try to really work on your content and your readership. It’s not just about having a blog. Even a three-year-old can write a blog. It’s still about what you write.
interesting that you’re the only one to point out the use of “brazen” vs “brazened.” in old books, they interchanged this use. i first encountered the word reading the Iliad (or was it the Aeneid?)
Bravo! Good points here.
two thumbs up!
You had me at buffet… 😛
[…] story became viral and it was passed around drawing various reactions and suggestions. It also merited a Facebook […]
Amen.
Mabuhay ka Jayvee!
Isa ka na ngang alamat!
Humanda sila. Malapit na rin yata akong maging relevant sa aming baryo. Bwahahaha!
Very WELL said jayvee!!
hanep ka talaga magsulat!!!
🙂
I’ll repost this on my blog ah!!
Inspiring as hell!!
BRAVOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
[…] and insecurity online through their blogs and social networks, allow me to quote from an entry of Jayvee that I just adore and love: Go and make a name for yourself. Don’t waste time in events. Don’t […]
Brazen is both an adjective and verb, according to WordWeb. You can use “be” before an adjective, as in “be confident,” “be brave.” Template drives traffic growth and demographics?
Tarugoman: lol!
hey thanks for this 🙂
[…] story became viral and it was passed around drawing various reactions and suggestions from those concern. It also made it’s presence in […]