What are the most important things to remember when networking with media professionals?

Networking with media professionals can be a great way to advance your career, learn from experts, and gain exposure for your work. However, it can also be challenging to navigate the diverse and dynamic media landscape, especially if you want to build meaningful and respectful relationships across different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. In this article, you will learn some of the most important things to remember when networking with media professionals, and how to apply cultural competency skills to enhance your communication and rapport.

1 Know your goals and audience

Before you reach out to any media professional, you should have a clear idea of what you want to achieve from the interaction, and who you are targeting. Do you want to pitch a story, get feedback, seek mentorship, or collaborate on a project? Do you want to connect with a journalist, a producer, a editor, or a influencer? Knowing your goals and audience will help you craft a relevant and compelling message that addresses their needs, interests, and expectations. It will also help you avoid wasting their time or yours with irrelevant or inappropriate requests.

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2 Do your research

Once you have identified your goals and audience, you should do some research on the media professional you want to network with. Find out their background, expertise, style, preferences, and values. Read or watch their previous work, follow their social media accounts, and check their LinkedIn profile. This will help you understand their perspective, tone, and approach, and avoid any potential cultural or professional misunderstandings or conflicts. It will also help you find common ground, show appreciation, and tailor your message to their specific context and needs.

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3 Be respectful and polite

When you contact a media professional, you should always be respectful and polite, regardless of their level of seniority, fame, or influence. Remember that they are busy people who receive many messages and requests every day, and that they have the right to decline or ignore your communication. Therefore, you should use a courteous and professional tone, address them by their name and title, and thank them for their time and attention. You should also avoid any assumptions, stereotypes, or judgments based on their culture, background, or identity, and instead show curiosity, openness, and empathy.

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Don F. McLean

Award-Winning PR & Marketing Content Expert | Results-Driven Fractional CMO/CCO | LinkedIn Influencer & Strategist | Author | Speaker
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Be careful how much you use software to help with outreach on LinkedIn. I include my middle initial so that I know when someone is legitimately reaching out and when its a bot. We only have one chance to make a great first impression. When reaching out to media specifically, I usually only use LinkedIn if I am unable to find their email address or phone number elsewhere. Media are constantly bombarded with pitches and we need to be respectful of who they are as people, not just another email address or profile.

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4 Be clear and concise

When you communicate with a media professional, you should be clear and concise about your purpose, value proposition, and call to action. You should avoid any vague, ambiguous, or irrelevant information that might confuse or bore them. You should also avoid any jargon, slang, or acronyms that might be unfamiliar or misunderstood by them. Instead, you should use simple, direct, and engaging language that conveys your message clearly and effectively. You should also keep your communication short and to the point, and respect their time and availability.

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Don F. McLean

Award-Winning PR & Marketing Content Expert | Results-Driven Fractional CMO/CCO | LinkedIn Influencer & Strategist | Author | Speaker
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I try to keep my pitches rather short, with a max of about 3 sentences. If the media is interested you can always provide more. However, I like to give the high level details quick in a way that allows them to have the ability to say yes or no as quickly as possible. I find that they appreciate this time savings, especially as they don't have to search for what you're trying to ask.

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5 Follow up and follow through

After you have initiated contact with a media professional, you should follow up and follow through on your communication. You should send a thank-you note or email within 24 hours, expressing your gratitude and appreciation for their response or feedback. You should also restate your main points, summarize any agreements or actions, and suggest the next steps or follow-up date. You should also keep your promises and commitments, and deliver on any expectations or outcomes that you have agreed on. This will help you build trust, credibility, and rapport with the media professional, and increase your chances of maintaining a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the most important things to remember when networking with media professionals?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Know your goals and audience

2 Do your research

3 Be respectful and polite

4 Be clear and concise

5 Follow up and follow through

6 Here’s what else to consider

Cultural Competency

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What are the most important things to remember when networking with media professionals?

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Know your goals and audience

2 Do your research

3 Be respectful and polite

4 Be clear and concise

5 Follow up and follow through

6 Here’s what else to consider

Cultural Competency

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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