Report: 83% of journalists use Twitter—but most still want email pitches

As more publications cater to the rise of digital content and social media, so should PR pros.

Muck Rack’s new State of Journalism report reveals that nearly 60% of reporters turn to digital newspapers or magazines as their first source of news, and 22% check Twitter first.

Though most journalists check digital publications before Twitter for their news, 83% listed it as the most valuable social media platform (a 13 percent increase from 2018) and 38% said they plan to use it more next year.

Facebook made the No. 2 spot, with 40% saying it’s the most valuable—quite a disparity from Twitter’s continued reign. Also, 44% said they plan to use Facebook less next year. Instead, Instagram and LinkedIn will fill that void, with 36% and 29% of reporters planning to use them next year, respectively.

If you’re one of the 93% of PR pros who follow journalists on social media, you’re on the right path. Nearly 80% of reporters said they like it when PR pros follow them online. Seventy-one percent say they track how often their stories are shared across social media, so slide into their good graces (and DMs) by sharing with your followers.

However, following reporters and sharing their stories doesn’t mean your job online is done.