Emails may be easy and convenient, but you if you want to use the latest Dallas PR marketing strategies, you can't beat the phone when it comes to selling a journalist on your story.
Here are some simple rules to make sure the call goes well:
1. Make Sure You're Pitching the Right Reporter
Read what the reporter has written in the past. With Google, there's no excuse for not doing your homework. In a matter of minutes, you can locate the right reporter on the Internet and start looking at stories the journalist has done in the past. One of the most important Dallas public relations marketing strategies is simply making sure that you connect the right story with the right reporter – it’s as simple as that.
2. Be Sure You're Calling at a Good Time
Often when I'm pitching a story to a journalist, my first question is: "Are you on deadline or do you have about 2-minutes to talk?" You want their complete attention. If you're calling at a bad time, reporters will have no trouble telling you. Simply ask when a good time to call them back might be.
3. Be Persistent without Becoming a Pest
There's a fine line between being persistent and becoming a stalker. You may have to leave two or three messages to get a journalist to call you back. Just reassure them that it won't be a waste of time to call you back and if you've done your homework on them, it won't be. All the Dallas PR marketing strategies in the world can’t help you if the reporter decides to stop returning your calls.
4. Don't Sound Like a Commercial
There's an old saying in the sales world--"Everyone likes to buy, but no one likes to be sold." This rules goes double for the media. If you mention the name of your company, product or service 5 times in the first 30 seconds, the reporter is either going to hang up or transfer your call to the advertising department.
5. Lather, Rinse, Repeat
If you get rejected, it's no big deal. You haven't asked the reporter for their hand in marriage, you only pitched them a story. It doesn't mean the reporter just down the hall won't do the story. Before you move on to another media outlet, ask the journalist if there's another reporter they might suggest.
Here are some simple rules to make sure the call goes well:
1. Make Sure You're Pitching the Right Reporter
Read what the reporter has written in the past. With Google, there's no excuse for not doing your homework. In a matter of minutes, you can locate the right reporter on the Internet and start looking at stories the journalist has done in the past. One of the most important Dallas public relations marketing strategies is simply making sure that you connect the right story with the right reporter – it’s as simple as that.
2. Be Sure You're Calling at a Good Time
Often when I'm pitching a story to a journalist, my first question is: "Are you on deadline or do you have about 2-minutes to talk?" You want their complete attention. If you're calling at a bad time, reporters will have no trouble telling you. Simply ask when a good time to call them back might be.
3. Be Persistent without Becoming a Pest
There's a fine line between being persistent and becoming a stalker. You may have to leave two or three messages to get a journalist to call you back. Just reassure them that it won't be a waste of time to call you back and if you've done your homework on them, it won't be. All the Dallas PR marketing strategies in the world can’t help you if the reporter decides to stop returning your calls.
4. Don't Sound Like a Commercial
There's an old saying in the sales world--"Everyone likes to buy, but no one likes to be sold." This rules goes double for the media. If you mention the name of your company, product or service 5 times in the first 30 seconds, the reporter is either going to hang up or transfer your call to the advertising department.
5. Lather, Rinse, Repeat
If you get rejected, it's no big deal. You haven't asked the reporter for their hand in marriage, you only pitched them a story. It doesn't mean the reporter just down the hall won't do the story. Before you move on to another media outlet, ask the journalist if there's another reporter they might suggest.
Real News PR is one of the fastest going Dallas Public Relations Firm. This is a company that offers the latest Dallas Marketing Experts.
