5 ways to stay on a reporter’s ‘nice list’ this holiday season

Inspired by my colleague’s “Art of pitching the media” blog post, I’d like to add some recommendations on how you can continue to stay on journalists’ nice lists—because no one in PR wants coal in their email inbox.

1. Do your research

In the professional world, it’s always a good idea to learn about a person’s interests prior to a formal meeting. When trying to get a job, for example, you should learn about your interviewer’s background so you’re able to provide more educated and relatable answers.

The same goes for reporters. A successful public relations professional is constantly monitoring the news and making a mental note of the stories a reporter covers. This knowledge comes in handy when it comes time to pitch a story. Reporters’ positions and beats are always changing, so PR pros have to stay on top of their game.

2. Write your pitch around your research