Do You Employ The “Fifty Shades of Grey” Publicist?

E L James is the author of the extremely popular erotic romance trilogy "Fifty Shades of Grey," released in May of 2011 and followed by the movie of the same title on February 13, 2015. This was the author's first novel, but she clearly hit a home run!

Maybe that is where I had my misconnect. I write poetry, some of which is provocative. Believing the new release of the movie would be a great opportunity to connect two pieces of art, I sent a letter via email to Ms. James’ publicist, which included three topic-appropriate poems. Yes, it was gutsy and a stretch, but history is not made by watching other people take action (and neither is money).

It has been a year and I have not heard from Ms. James or her publicist – not even a "We are not interested." It makes me wonder if Ms. James ever even got my letter, or if her publicist independently discarded it without discussion.

When are referrals or opportunities sent to you that you are not aware of? Often.

Just to share a few in my law office I, much too late, learned of:

1. A resume for an administrative position received by a paralegal and discarded without bringing it to me.
2. A referral, from a good friend, that wouldn't follow our office procedures and requested a free consult without first attending a workshop. Discarded.
3. An offer to make a presentation to a nursing home.

Would I have accepted any of the above opportunities? Maybe, but now I have no choice.

1. I was in fact hiring at the time the resume was discarded.
2. I would have done pro bono consult to help a colleague.
3. I would move mountains to get in front of a nursing home administrator.

So why were they discarded? Why was my opinion trumped?

Because of one of two reasons, or both.

1. Employees who believe they know a) what is best for you or the firm, or b) what you would have said and didn't want to bother you. These are rogue employees in the guise of being independent and efficient.

OR

2. You haven't been clear on your expectations. A system should be in place for each member of the firm to report opportunities of ALL kinds presented, accepted and rejected. An opportunity in this sense should be defined as "a request of some sort by another person or organization to either the firm or the managing lawyer."

I appreciate efficiency and independence, but I appreciate opportunity even more. The owner or manager of the firm should have the final say to accept or deny.

I feel certain that, had Ms. James been presented with my letter and poetry, she would have taken one of two actions:

1. Remembered her beginnings and reached out to assist a sister in the arts.

OR

2. Sent a reply politely denying my request.

Don't your prospects and professional community deserve the same?

What are you missing? What processes can you implement to catch them? What can you do to gently discard the others without leaving them hanging?

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Victoria L. Collier, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, Certified Elder Law Attorney through the National Elder Law Foundation; Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys; Founder and Managing Attorney of The Elder & Disability Law Firm of Victoria L. Collier, PC; Co-Founder of Veterans Advocates Group of America; Entrepreneur; Author; and nationally renowned Presenter.