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Support your local Post Office – and give CC et al. a piece of your mind! For anyone who has been into fandom for a long time (and here I admit my Trekker roots <g>) it won’t be news for any of you to know that The Powers That Be tend to disregard concerns, suggestions and complaints registered via email. Lets face it, for those of us on first name terms with our mice and keyboards, shooting off an email takes but a moment. And while we may take some time to think about what it is we want to say, the ease and convenience of that communication medium ensures it is virtually ignored. (Which I do find curious, given many corporate entities have formally endorsed email as the primary method of communication) In any case, the sheer number of emails received turns even the best of inboxes into a veritable Bermuda Triangle – messages may go in, but may never be seen. Worse, of recent times there has even been some indication that those behind the scenes don’t look on the on-line fandom community as their real audience. Despite the Official websites, online competitions and chats, in the most part we are seen as a certainly vocal, yet insignificant audience group. The success of a show, its ability to stay on the air, depends mostly on the ratings. The Nielsen ratings. No matter how big the cult following, unless the ratings follow the cult interest, the show will be pulled. So, unless each and every one of us falls into that category of ‘Nielsen’ family, what we feel about the show, what we are saying to those behind the scenes making decisions, largely falls on deaf ears… or switched-off computers. The solution? Simple. Take it to snail mail. As you would your congressman, to get a message across to The Powers That Be you must write. Paper. Pen. Word processor with ink signature. Whatever. If it is in an envelope with a stamp, it will get more attention than a message zapped through cyber-space. Quite a number of us have already sent letters. And I’m sure a few of you have as well. But if you haven’t, or if you want to write again, we have the addresses. We even have some basic letters from which you can draw ideas as to how to frame a letter, should you need a bit of assistance. Our strategy? Simply this:
And on all your letters, to emphasize the point, to make it clear yours is not the only voice, direct them to the website by including the url. We may not be Nielsen families, but all of us are consumers of products, and all of us are part of the target audience for many of the companies who advertise on FOX. (IBM, for one!). 1013 et al. may ignore us, but these companies may be interested to know that their target audience are not seeing the commercials for which they pay many dollars to produce and air. For the names and addresses of whom to write to, go here. For some sample letters, or templates, go here. (sample letters coming soon!)
And if you need any further assistance, email us (details on the main page). Paper. Ink. A few stamps. It doesn’t take much to be heard. |
Fox
forgets Mulder.
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