compiled by Raschanda Hall, Global Media Relations Manager, Business Wire/Chicago
Recently @muckrack asked journalists to share some of their pitching pet peeves in a #muckedup chat. I’ve compiled my favorites for your learning pleasure.
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“@muckrack I automatically delete any pitch that begins, “Dear Sir/Madam”
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“@muckrack Don’t start emails with “how are you?” when we’ve never met #muckedup
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“@muckrack pet pitch peeve: “since you just wrote about ______, thought you’d be interested in _____.” No, I just wrote about it.
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“.@muckrack pitch peeve: leading w/ “I just read your AMAZING story about X, and..” Flattery has gotten better PRs than you nowhere, dear.
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“Pet #PR peeves: (1) no photos or links to photos; (2) UK releases that arrive the day after the US release; (3) PR not around. cc @muckrack
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“@muckrack Mistaking me for a .com writer when I write for a monthly mag. Don’t pitch me tax tip stories when we’re working on July #muckedup
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“@muckrack asking for questions ahead of time only to later give prepared and safe answers. #muckedup boring!!
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“@muckrack Pitching a source 2 days after a story was in the headlines. You are late and wasting my time.
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(Unsolicited) PR email of the day: ‘Please let me know you agree to the below embargo so I can send you a press release.’ (@muckrack)
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“@muckrack Being asked by a PR to send a link to them *when* we write up the story. File under: ‘Dumb as a brick’. #muckedup
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Oh, and then the tides turned: PR pros were asked to share their journalist pet peeves.
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“.@muckrack when 300 reporters email you at once during a crisis & then write “X couldn’t be reached for comment.” #muckedup
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“@muckrack Journos that never respond. A simple “not the right fit, send it to this colleague” helps me better target my pitch next time.
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“.@muckrack Reporters who agree to briefings, then go MIA when it comes time to schedule #muckedup
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“@muckrack What used to annoy me was reporters assigned to cover high-tech who knew nothing about the topic
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“@muckrack main bugbear is rudeness (although i’d be tetchy if i was bombarded all day too i guess). we’re human too, we’re not punchbags
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“@muckrack ordering sample cakes for a “product review” aka the editor’s daughter’s 4th birthday. No product review appears #havingalaugh
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And yet another turn of events; Journalists decided to balance it out and offer some praise for PR done well.
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“@muckrack @jenwieczner I like “how are you”! Makes the pitch seem more human, less automated. #muckedup
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“Exactly, @muckrack. Gotta be balanced, dont want to trash only. One more GREAT PR Move? Offering me an exclusive!!!! #muckedup
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“RT @muckrack: RT @CassVinograd GOOD PR moves that make me happy: a quick call to verify I’m the right person to speak to, then emailed release #muckedup
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“The relaxed post-interview chatty time? That’s when we get some of our greatest quotes @CaroPRinLA #oldschool @muckrack
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Cant’ get enough of the PR vs Journalist battle to build better working relationships? Be sure to check out the Muck Rack Blog where they’ll be posting recaps of the ongoing conversation or catch up on the blog post that started the whole discussion.You can also check out the posts from Business Wire’s media relations team where we share tips directly from journalists across the world on how they like to be pitched and what catches their attention.
A lengthier post was originally storiifed by Raschanda Hall on May 2nd.
