Tips for Contacting Editors

Be Brief – Identify yourself and why you are calling (follow-up on release sent about the Interactive Metronome). Be prepared to give your pitch succinctly or leave your message on voice mail. Also be ready to refax the release and reconfirm how best to submit news items.

The Local Angle – Reinforce why you think your news is of interest to their audience. Give examples of your successes and how you are helping children in your community. Invite the reporter to visit your facility and give them a demonstration.

Know Your Media – Editors expect you to know their publication or program. (See newsstand visit above). Knowing the types of stories they cover will help you to customize your pitches.

Get to the Right Person – Reconfirm that the editor you have contacted is the appropriate one for future new items.

Be A Resource – Position yourself as a local expert. When a local news story breaks which relates to issues on which you could be considered an authority, call or email your local editor with a brief commentary. Always offer to provide more information.

Don’t Push – In general, fax or mail your press releases then follow-up with a phone call or email. Leave no more that 2 phone messages. Reporters and editors will call back if they consider your item newsworthy. However, they may use your release without further contact so watch for “mentions” which may appear even if the release doesn’t generate full coverage.

Keep Visible – Send a series of press releases to build awareness. It is the continuous flow of newsworthy information that will build your press coverage.

About E-mail – Some media still prefer “hard copy” press releases, either mailed or faxed, then follow up by a phone call or email. If using email, don’t send the release as an attachment or with a list of other recipients.