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Meeting a journalist? 9 magic phrases the media love

One of the best ways to generate publicity from traditional media outlets is to form a relationship with reporters, editors, broadcasters and freelancers.

That’s a critical step that 99 percent of the people miss!

And what a shame. If you know what they’re looking for, how to talk to them, how to help them, and how to stay on their radar screens, you’ll have a huge advantage.

When I worked as a reporter and editor for 22 years, I was able to tell within about 15 seconds if somebody pitching a story idea was genuinely concerned about helping me, or if their Number One goal was to simply generate free publicity.

If you’re meeting reporters face to face, or pitching an idea by phone or email, nine magic phrases can help you build a relationship with them. This video, created with a cool program called Animoto, explains all about the phrases I loved to hear when I was speaking with somebody who was either pitching a story idea to me, or wanted to get to know me better and genuinely help. It also explains one opportunity to meet journalists face to face.

What other phrases do you use when talking to journalists to help build the relationship?

by Joan Stewart on July 27, 2009

Filed Under: Publicity Blog Tagged With: Media Relations, Photos & Graphics, press kits

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Janet Vasil says

    July 31, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Great advise delivered in an entertaining way. These phrases combined with the “I’m here to help you, Ms Reporter attititude” can’t be beat.

    I second your endorsement of the National Media Summit. I’ve found quite a few interesting stories among the publicity-seekers and the participants get lots of training and practice in the art of the pitch.

    Reply
  2. Mary Jane Hurley Brant says

    December 10, 2009 at 11:53 am

    Joan Stewart, you consistently give us great suggestions. ‘How can I help you’ coupled with making the interviewer’s job less time consuming is tremendously important. Time is precious today. Maybe it always was but no one knew.

    Saying thank you is my only additional thought. Being interviewed helps we authors get our message out and doesn’t Seth Godin consistently remind us about that! Just get your message out there! (And say thank you to everyone who helps.) So, thank you, Joan.

    Reply

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Publicity expert Joan Stewart, a PR mentor aka The Publicity Hound, works with small business owners who need free publicity, and with PR pros who tell their clients' stories to the world. She shows you how to establish your credibility, enhance your reputation, position yourself as an expert, and sell more products and services. To receive her free DIY publicity tips twice a week, subscribe here. See all the ways you can work with Joan. Or contact her and ask a burning question about PR, self-promotion or social media.

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