What PR pros wish they could tell journalists
Although practitioners in the two fields sometimes have contentious exchanges, they have a lot in common. Here’s an open letter intended to bridge the gaps between them.
Most of us in public relations love what we do.
With lots of variety and the opportunity to improve a brand’s bottom line, what’s not to like? As in any career, though, it can sometimes be tough.
For example, we in PR often read that journalists don’t like us very much.
Maybe it’s because there are so many of us. With more public relations practitioners than ever before (there are now 4.8 PR people for every reporter), those of us who work in media relations face greater competition to grab a reporter’s attention. This means more annoying email pitches, more phone messages filling up their voicemail, more social media stalking.
It makes sense that reporters get fed up with us.
Still, it hurts to be misunderstood. After all, many of us are honestly trying to do a standup job for our clients while respecting the needs and preferences of journalists.
So, what can we do to help smooth things over with reporters, editors and producers? Maybe it would help if they knew more about our true motives.
Here are five things we would say to reporters, if we could.
1. We don’t mean to be pests.
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