For media inquiries, please contact:
Roxana Janka

310-752-4485

Stay Connected


Categories


The Phelps Group on Twitter


Archives


Sign up for our Creative Strategies newsletter

 

The Phelps Group is Los Angeles' only agency on the Advertising and PR charts.

Help! Don't sell — Los Angeles Times reporter Catherine Saillant gives newsroom tips to PR

Feb 19 2008  • 
  • Open the door with kudos or comments about past coverage —
    nobody likes a cold pitch
    "Being friendly is a big part of building relationships with us," Saillant says. "Not every call or email has to be a pitch. More to the point: 'Just stay in touch and let the reporter know you understand her coverage,'" Saillant says.
  • Forecast events clients could speak to — and provide contacts when news breaks
    "We usually find experts the day after we actually need them," Saillant says. "So one thing PR people can do is to be prepared for stories the day they actually break. Have those sources ready and call the paper the moment the story unfolds," she suggests.
  • Journalists use search engines — so leverage keyword tools to make experts
    easy to find
    The tip for PR: Make sure your source can be found through databases like ProfNet or even corporate, client or institutional online expert directories — and include relevant keywords in websites, online newsrooms and even wire-distributed releases to drive search results to your expert.
  • Practice media relations like a public information officer (PIO) —
    not a hard-sell "flack"
    "If you can actually help us and make sure we have a good experience, you're in like Flynn. We'll turn to you again and again," she assures.

By Brian Pittman - (bpittman@bulldogreporter.com)

Reposted from Bulldog Reporter's Daily 'Dog website. Visit www.bulldogreporter.com/dailydog to subscribe to the email edition or read the entire article here.

Tagged under:

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Comment

(required)  
(optional)
(required)  
Add