Dear dimwit on the phone

Dude. You need to take a vacation.

 

Uh, dude, did you not see my thread about my upcoming trip to New Jersey?

And, yes, I need a vacation.

 

Nothing new to report, but I will say this: Knowing that this thread exists makes dealing with these types of calls manageable. I literally think of this thread when the dimwits are restless.

 

You picked the wrong week to quit drinking [/lloydbridges]

 

Interesting phone call today.

Boss: Just want to let you know we are doing our sample issue this week. (Sample issue is where we send our weekly paper to all active addresses in our city in hopes of selling a lot of ads and getting new subscribers...I hate the whole concept, but it's not up to me).

Me: When is the deadline?

Boss: Next Tuesday at 5 p.m. (our paper is dated Thursday and normal deadline is noon on Wednesday)

Me: You know the sectional volleyball games start on Tuesday night.

Boss: Well, you'll just have to figure something out.

 

@ Illino...we do those same mass circulation issues, although I'm fully on board with it. Seems like we see a good bump in new subscribers every time we throw it out there (it goes with a special introduction deal), and the ad stacks are crazy for those issues.

That said we are given a good 2 months notice when those are set up, so plenty of time to plan for features and such. Helps us fill the added pages and put out a nice product.

So some extent, it is true, you just have to deal with the early deadlines in these cases. Your boss could have been more understanding of that though.

I would run a volleyball feature for that mass issue, then throw a bar across the bottom of your section front saying tournament game coverage will be published in the next issue.

 

And yes, having this thread does make taking those difficult phone calls more bearable. It's right where my brain goes, too. I pay closer attention because I figure I'll post here later that night

 

We don't get too many positives out it. In fact, I believe it was a loss in $ the past two. Feature is likely the plan, but still very frustrating.

 

Hey guys, tell me more about this mass-mailing thing.

So, your company just sends it out to everyone? Whether they want it or not?

I'm not criticizing. It actually sounds like a good idea. Must cost a ton of money though.

 

Oh, and to get back on topic ...

Dear JV football player on the sidelines of tonight's game who told me to make sure I "get a picture" of him,

Don't worry. I know it's 38-0 here at the start of the second quarter and, as such, you're likely going in. And I am amused when someone asks me to take a photo of them. Usually I don't pay attention but considering how bad this game is, you're in luck. I'll watch for you.

But, for god sake, if you're going to ask me to watch for you, get in and play at some point. And, if you do, be forewarned that I will take photos of you if you do something good ... but I'll also capture you getting crushed on the line of scrimmage too.

Just think about that.

 

I think yours might be the only paper who doesn't do it in the state. Your daily competitor to the south and the weekly chain in the East Bay both definitely do it, along with the big state daily.

 

I know the Projo does it but I never thought it was for the full paper. I've gotten more than a fair share of some sort of lifestyle section of theirs though, usually wrapped in coupons/car ads.

It's an enticing idea though. I might have to pitch this to my publisher.

I don't expect it to get done, of course, but it's the thought that counts.