Why this PR agency owner despises press releases

The former TV journalist offers crucial insights into the terrible yet common practices that land pitches in the recycle bin and earn the sender nothing but derisive laughter.

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I own a public relations firm, and I hate press releases. Sounds crazy, right?

Well, I spent almost a decade deleting them, so there’s that. When I was looking to leave the TV business and start working at a public relations firm, so many wouldn’t hire me because I didn’t have any PR agency experience.

I would say, “No, I don’t, but I do have experience deleting just about everything you’ve ever sent me. Would you like to know why?” Honestly, not one of them wanted to know why, but they still continued to send me terrible press releases to earn their clients publicity.

So, why do I hate press releases and didn’t read most of them?

No one was putting themselves in my shoes. I’m the reporter. I’m the one you’re asking to cover the story, so put yourself in my shoes. Is it what I usually cover? No. Does it pertain to the area I cover? No. So, you’re sending it to me why? Because it’s what you should do?

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