More Annoyance With PR
The popularity of text messaging is soaring, writes Yuki Noguchi in The Washington Post, and like vultures on freshly flattened skunk, PR people are rushing in to ju$tify their existence. I got this press release in my email last week:
Hi Amy,Did you know that 60 percent of those who send text messages have sent one to tell someone they love them or miss them? Further, 26 percent have even sent a "Happy Valentine's Day" text, according to the first annual NAME WITHHELD! Texting Outlook Survey from NAME WITHHELD! Communications.
If you're planning Valentine's Day coverage, I hope you might consider the press release below offering the top-ten texting & dating do's and don'ts from NAME WITHHELD! and John Gray, author of best-seller Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus.
In addition to the data in the press release, I also have data-specific to the top-20 DMAs if you are interested.
Get Some Textual Healing this Valentine's Day
Textpert Advice from T9 and Relationship Guru John Gray
Seattle, WA - January 11, 2006 - Tegic Communications, maker of popular T9 Text Input software for cell phones, has teamed up with John Gray, author of best-seller Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus and AOL Love & Sex Coach, to offer the top-ten tips to help ensure a successful union of texting and dating in 2006.
It's no secret that text messaging is on the rise. In fact, even texting to share amorous thoughts is on the upswing, according to the first annual T9 Texting Outlook Survey. Sixty percent of those who sent text messages have sent one to tell someone they love them or miss them.
Meanwhile, 27 percent have sent a flirtatious or sexy text message and 26 percent have used cell phone text messaging to say "Happy Valentine's Day." Seven percent have even sent a text message to ask someone out on a date so keep that phone charged up at all times!
Given the rise in text messaging, which is now used for breaking up, making up and for asking out dates, Tegic and John Gray offer the texting tips below to help ensure successful coupling in 2006.
Texting & Dating: Top-Ten Do's & Don'ts
DO reply to a text message in a timely manner. No one wants to press "send" only to be left waiting (and waiting) for a reply.
DON'T read too much into whether he or she has (or hasn't!) signed off with X's and O's for kisses and hugs.
DO carefully consider the effect your text message is going to have on the reader. Send a note that will put a smile on her face, not leave her wondering why she gave you her number in the first place.
DON'T overuse emoticons, such as smileys, and text speak, and make sure the recipient knows what you mean. You don't want to scare off a potential date who thinks you mean "lots of love" rather than "laugh out loud" when you type LOL.
DO wait until at least the third date before you engage in "textual relations" with a new love interest. Be sure sexy or intimate texts are well-received before firing off note after note.
DON'T assume he is awake and sober just because you are. If you receive an outlandish reply at 3 in the morning or no reply at all, wait 12 hours and try again.
DO flirt and send love letters via text. But be careful about sending texts that you wouldn't want read by anyone other than the intended recipient.
DON'T read too much into failure to reply right away to your text message. However, if you've texted three times without a reply, it may be time to move on.
DO make sure you're sending a text message to the right person in your phone book. Imagine the discomfort upon learning you've sent hot and steamy love notes to your grandmother.
DON'T be a bad speller. It makes less of an impact on the intended to learn that you want to "kips" rather than "kiss" them.
"Sending a text is a great way to get to know someone better and to let them know you are thinking of them. Text messages are an informal and fun way of communicating," said Dr. Gray.
I wrote back to the PR lady:
Did John Gray really write those himself, or did he just stick his name on them? Forgive me, but I have a hard time thinking of him as somebody who even knows what a text message looks like. -Amy
Weird...I didn't get so much as a text message in reply!
Reprinting his PR here will only encourage him, you know.
LYT at January 28, 2006 10:39 PM
Actually, it was for a text-messaging company...and I cut the company's name out! See: "Name Withheld!" above.
Amy Alkon at January 29, 2006 4:38 AM
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