Reaching for that star....or should I?

In the sales industry, the big mantra is "getting past 'no'," and not taking 'no' for an answer. I'm not a salesperson, per se, but I think we are all salespeople to a degree in the big picture, when it comes to selling ourselves and getting what we want or need from others. But when should we accept the fact that 'no' really IS the answer?

I've been trying to get an interview with The Man Himself for an article about his new movie, RocknRolla. I've never interviewed a celebrity before, and though admittedly, I am the slightest bit intimidated at the thought, I didn't think twice about it when my editor suggested I try to get him on the phone for the story. I've interviewed hundreds of people over the years for stories at my full-time job. Most were very receptive, and others not so much. But in my opinion, people are people, even the ones who make my yearly salary just by showing up at a club for 20 minutes.

So I embarked on my mission, thinking there wasn't a snowball's chance in hell that I'll get the interview. In fact, I think it's more likely that I'll sprout another head before I'll get the OK to talk to him. But I followed the chain of command....contacting his PR reps by e-mail, with a follow up phone call a few days later. Then I got the e-mail from them saying simply that said he would be "unavailable for this interview." Hmmph. No surprise there.

Then I tried another avenue. I left a message at his manager's office, explaining who I was and what I was trying to do. I waited for a couple of days for a return phone call, which of course never came. And I didn't expect it to. A friend of mine who works in radio, and has interviewed many celebrities, tried to brace me for disappointment and for a less-than courteous handling by the powers-that-be. So I called them again yesterday. A very nice gentleman told me that I'd have to go through the PR agency with my request. Um, yeah, already did that.

And now that I've been given the big "no" by both principals, I find myself not pulling my tail between my legs and slinking away, but more determined than before to get what I need. And what I need is not the interview with The Man Himself, but recognition as a professional. I may write for a tiny little website, but I demand the same treatment as someone who writes for a major player. And I require more than a brief, one-sentence brush-off. I want to know why, or why not, and whether or not the possibility exists down the road, on another project. I guess I expect to be treated the way I try to treat others. Besides, where would any of us be in life, if we always took no for an answer?

Now, what I'm stuck on, is how far I should push before I am pushed away? Will persistence pay off for me, as it has in other areas of my life, or will it get me brushed aside again, except with more deliberate action? Will they think of me as someone who is serious about her job, or as some pain in the ass from a small website who should be denied any future consideration? And this is where I'm at.

I'd appreciate any comments.