Media Relations

Sending an email with a cheery ‘Hi, Sam,’ at the beginning rarely works—especially if the target’s name is Phyllis. Do your homework, be genuine, and stay flexible.

A vague, meandering press pitch won’t knock any reporters’ socks off. Consider this guidance to make your point, and make it clear.

How should PR pros adjust their pitches when approaching TV producers? The medium still garners plenty of attention—and requires a unique angle.

Launching a pitch and wishing for coverage is like tossing a stone in the air and hoping to hit the moon. Instead, try these approaches for enduring partnerships with journalists in your niche.

What does it mean to PR pros that news outlets love the word “new”? Or that ABC News has the most negative tone, while it’s all sunshine and unicorns at POPSUGAR?

Public relations pros know better, but somehow these worst practices worm their way into the course of a workweek. So to review, here are peeves, taboos and no-nos to avoid at all costs.

Editors get 50 or more pitches a day and take only a handful for publication and syndication. Instead of badgering media outlets for feedback on why you got a ‘no,’ look in the mirror.

For industry pros, it’s the Scarlet Letter of social media. The dreaded hashtag means you misfired your pitch or—egad!—called a journalist by the wrong name. Beware these blunders.

Having moved from news to PR, the author shares a few insider tips that can help you break through the iron gate and land coverage—and establish rapport with your media contacts.