Phone call etiquette: 4 things journalists love

Whatever the reason, there are certain rules you need to follow when you pick up the phone to call a journalist. Remember, journalists are busy, and their phones ring off the hook all day. It’s important to follow good phone etiquette when you call them so you can maintain good relationships and avoid being seen as a pest.

What can you do to make sure journalists don’t hate you when you call?

1. Know what you’re going to talk about before you call. Before you pick up the phone, know exactly what you need to tell the journalist. If there are a few things you need to tell him, jot them down on a piece of paper so you stay focused and don’t struggle to remember what you need to say. Get to the point!

2. Respect their time. Journalists are busy. When you call, they might not have much time to talk. Be respectful of this and get right to the point. When the journalist answers, ask if it’s a good time to talk. If she says she can’t talk right now, don’t push. Ask when would be a good time to call back, and let her go back to work.