8 things I wish journalists knew about PR

From the PR side of the business, we’re taught a lot about journalism as a profession and what journalists like and do not like. We’re told the best way to pitch, the best way to maintain relationships, and the best way to communicate with members of the media.

I’m not sure what journalists are told about public relations professionals and the industry, but here are a few things I wish they knew:

1. We wish you would answer our emails. We want to start a working relationship with you, to be a resource for you, and be able to ask you for help. Our first step was to email you, so can you please reply to our emails?

2. We want to know where we can find you. Maybe it’s just me, but I would much rather start our working relationship at the bar, where we start a conversation over the coincidence that we’re drinking the same rare beer or a comment about the overly rowdy investment bankers standing next to us. So do tell: Where can I find you during happy hour?

3. We get you. We really understand what you do. We know about deadlines, we know you want to tell a story and be great at it. We know about the staff cuts and lack of resources. We really do understand you and your fellow reporters.