LOVE what Chris Anderson did with his post Sorry PR people: you’re blocked!

Here’s why: It’s making people think – and talk – and it’s about time someone started this conversation.

If you are involved in the media industry and you only have rudimentary Web skills, you better learn fast, because most of the conversation is happening online, and if you’re not participating, you might as well toss your computer out the window; you are missing out on vital stuff.

In his post, Chris published a massive list of e-mail addresses, those he decided to block from contacting him, and BOOM – complaints started pouring in; apologies started pouring in, and all I can think is Go Chris!  This guy was getting 300 e-mails a day; all of them wanting something from him.  What’s a bet no one thought about offering up something for him?

Seth, in his post  PR and the first amendment and keeping your job, points out:

So, the smart PR folks (the successful ones) struggle to make their lists smaller and smaller.

You really should listen.  By making your list smaller, you are creating your own niche network of people that you trust, and who trust you.  The online world is a place where people help each other, not annoy each other; it’s worth thinking about.  Incidentally, if you haven’t read Unleashing the Ideavirus, now would be a good time.

The bottom line is, if you’re trying to influence the influencers, you better know exactly how they like to be approached, otherwise that great press release/photo/article/video you spent weeks working on, will go directly to junk mail.

Regardless of whether you want to send your press release to mainstream media or the blogosphere, try to find the person that would most likely be interested in your news; then send it to him or her.  Unfortunately, as with all research, it takes time. 

Work smart - and hard - forget buying that e-mail list, and start creating your own.

Interesting posts around the Web that talk about the etiquette of Social Media:

What PR people should know about social media, at Like it Matters

The proper way to stalk a journalist, from John Jantsch, author, Duct Tape Marketing

How to influence powerful social media users for traffic and attention by Maki Maki

How to pitch bloggers by ProBlogger, Darren Rowse

Guidelines and Contacts - at least read them…

How to pitch to Cnet

Wall Street Journal Contact Details

The New York Times contact details

Guidelines for submissions to the San Francisco Chronicle

San Francisco Chronicle Address Book

The Effective Emailer – how to email Guy Kawasaki

How to send a press release to San Jose Mercury News

Oh, and if you really are interested in how Chris likes to be contacted, try reading his interview on PRNewser: My tastes are arcane and geeky.

I leave my comments open if people want to approach me, and I do my best to answer each.  What about you?

How do you like to be approached?