The next time you pitch a journalist, remember that what you don’t say is just as important that what you say.
Mickie Kennedy of eReleases.com explains why journalists hate hearing these three phrases:
1. “Never seen anything like this.”
2. “When can we expect this to go up?”
3. “I know this isn’t your area, but…”
They’re good ones, Mickie, but that’s just a start. I’m a former journalist, and I also hated hearing these five other phrases when people pitched me or after I interviewed them:
4. “Can you send me 10 copies of the article as soon as it’s printed?”
No, I can’t. I’m not a clerk. I’m a reporter. And I’m too busy. If you want copies, buy them yourself by calling our circulation department. (See “What to Do When You Can’t Get Reprint Rights.”)
5. “Can you let me know as soon as the article is printed?
Nope, can’t do that either, for the reasons mentioned above. Either hire someone to pay attention to the paper, or do it yourself.
6. “If I give you a good tip and you write the story, can you promise me you’ll give it good play?”
No. Reporters don’t decide where stories appear in newspapers or magazines. That’s an editor’s job.
7. “Can you please not use my name?”
Why didn’t you tell me that 20 minutes ago when we started the interview? Technically, since you were talking to me on the record, I have every right to use your name.
But you’re such a pain in the neck, and you’ll probably raise such a stink after the story is printed along with your name, that I’d rather just not use your comments. Instead, I’ll simply make a mental note never to talk to you again. In other words, I’m blacklisting you.
Now that you know what not to say, here are magic phrases the media LOVE hearing.
What phrases can you add to this? Do you keep any magic phrases in your pocket and use them with success?
Are you a journalist or blogger who hates other phrases that Mickie and I haven’t mentioned?
“Can you send me the article before it prints so I can approve it?” Even though I’m on the PR side of things, some of my journalist friends tell me they still get this request!
Yes! Of course. Why didn’t I remember this one?
My personal favorite…they pitch you, you say yes, then they ask…”what are you going to ask me?”
Another sneaky way of asking this question is, “Can you tell me what topics you’ll be covering during the interview?”
Often, they’ll tell you.
A lot of this has to do with the interviewee not being familiar with common journalistic practices. I can see how someone totally green in the ways of journalism can put their foot in their mouth when dealing with an experienced reporter.
“Did you get my press release?”
No.
Oh my, Hugh. How could I have forgotten THAT one?