Julia Voloshchenko’s Post

Curious about how to write an effective media pitch? Here are 3 top tips to help you capture interest and build stronger relationships with journalists: ✨ Bring Your Story to Life - Share compelling multimedia assets. Just remember, never attach files to avoid triggering spam filters. Always link to assets in your email. ✍️ Craft with Care - Before hitting send, meticulously proofread your pitch for typos, grammar mistakes and clarity. Sending it to yourself first can help catch any formatting issues. 📧 Don’t Hesitate to Follow Up - If you haven’t heard back after a reasonable time, send a polite reminder email. Be mindful of journalists' busy schedules and avoid being pushy. Learn more: https://ow.ly/ifsH50RmplJ #MediaRelations #PR #PublicRelations

5 Ways for PR Professionals to Engage Journalists! 1️⃣ Do Some Journalistic Matchmaking: When creating a media list, it's important to target journalists and publications who are genuinely interested in your story. Do your homework and research journalists who have previously covered similar topics. By demonstrating that you understand their interests and expertise, you can provide them with relevant content that aligns with their goals. 2️⃣ Learn from Rejection: Receiving rejection from journalists is inevitable. However, rather than being discouraged, use it as an opportunity to learn. Don't hesitate to ask for feedback on why your pitch didn't resonate with them. This insight will help you understand their preferences and tailor your future pitches accordingly. 3️⃣ Make it Newsworthy and Attention-Grabbing: Journalists are drawn to stories that are genuinely newsworthy and resonate with their readership. Put yourself in their shoes and think about the validity and relevance of your story to their audience. Craft an email that stands out, starting with an attention-grabbing subject line. Offer something unique and different while remaining relevant to their interests. 4️⃣ Follow Up with Care: Following up with journalists requires a delicate balance. While it's important to stay on their radar, avoid being pushy. If you haven't received a response, don't be disheartened as journalists receive numerous emails daily. Send a polite follow-up once, showing your attentiveness. If there's still no response, respect their time and move on to avoid becoming a nuisance. 5️⃣ Be Personable: Building relationships with journalists goes beyond being a robotic press release sender. Be friendly and approachable in your interactions. Take the time to get to know journalists, ask about their well-being, and inject some humor when appropriate. Creating a genuine connection will make you more memorable and increase the likelihood of future collaborations. For me, nurturing strong relationships with journalists is a fundamental aspect of a successful PR career. Each profession relies on the other to accomplish their goals. So, make the most of these connections and strive for mutual success! 🤝 Let's connect and discuss more about effective PR strategies and relationship-building in the dynamic world of media! Comment below or send me a message. Together, we can achieve great things! #PR #MediaRelations #BuildingRelationships #industryinsights #PRfreelancer #prwriting #prconsulting

🎯 Media Relations Experts: Want to ensure your pitches get read by journalists and are not lost in the abyss of their inbox? Here are my top 3 tips to make your story irresistible: 1) Personalize Like a Pro - Start with a warm "Dear [First Name]," and reference their recent work. It shows you’ve done your homework and makes your pitch feel tailored. Remember, in the world of media, personalization isn’t just nice – it’s necessary. 2) Be Brief, Be Brilliant - Journalists are perpetually pressed for time. If your pitch is as long as a novel, it’s not getting read. Get to the point quickly. Think of it as an elevator pitch – if you can’t convey it in a few sentences, rethink your approach. 3) Master the Subject Line - Your subject line is your first impression. Make it count! It should be intriguing, relevant, and concise. Aim for something that piques curiosity and demands to be opened. After all, if the subject doesn’t grab them, nothing else will. For my fellow PR pros do you have any other tips to add? Comment below. #MediaRelations #Journalism #PRTips #PitchPerfect

The power of radio...and PR, and the journalist who responds A client was on a national radio station earlier today and within a few hours he had six new bookings. So gratifying to connect clients to the best audiences for them, as well as supplying journalists with the content, or people, who can connect with their audiences. These sorts of 'wins' for clients can come after many many approaches to media that disappear into the black whole of busy journalists and producers. It can be very disheartening in PR, especially when you do the research, know the audience and know that it is a good idea for that journalist to know about this topic... so when do you follow up, and when do you just move on to the next potential space? Many journalists who I have great relationships with, when they reply, say they are only too grateful for the follow up as they had missed it the first time and this is a story they are definitely interested in.....but, when you are approaching someone for the first time, how many times is it okay to email them? I like to think I get the balance right, and while I do sometimes distribute a press release to a group of media, personalised with their name, I mostly send targeted 'pitches' explaining why I thought it would be of interest to THEM, or identifying an aspect of the story or person that makes it a good fit for them. Yes, if you are a journalist and you get an email from me, chances are I have read your last three articles or tuned in to your show (and probably subscribe to that media in order to do so), checked you out on LinkedIn, and really given thought to whether this is something worth emailing you about, so it would be so nice to get a response. I know journalists are inundated with PR approaches, so I try not to take it personally when I get no response. And wow is it great to build relationships with media who know that when they get an email from you, chances are its a good lead to a great story. That is gold. Are you a journalist who ignores PR appraoches, and is it simply because you get too many emails and actually have a job to do, or do you find you get some great leads from PR? I would SO love to know.

Today on the blog, one of our newest writers, Audrey D'Mello, shares ways PR professionals can build trust with journalists. "Despite our differences, there is beauty in how we connect with one another, regardless of our backgrounds or cultures, and that's what makes the communications and media industry so impactful. This is why it's crucial to note that each individual has their own unique way of communicating and building relationships. The main media experts—journalists and PR professionals—are the pillars of information and communication. They are very important in keeping their audience hooked on relevant and trendy news. The best part of this professional relationship is that they aim to keep their audience informed and engaged." Read the full article on the PR & Lattes website: https://lnkd.in/gMZ65P3s #PRAndLattes #Blog #MediaRelations #Journalism #PR #PublicRelations

Are you a publicist? Here are 5 things you should know about pitching. Please repost to help people who work in PR fully understand what reporters are looking for. 1) If you pitch a reporter a finding or announcement it so going to be super hard to place a story solely about the research or announcement. Create a solid hook THEN lead into discussing the research or announcement. This is a mistake that a lot of PR pros make. 2) Once a reporter or staff writer doesn’t respond three times stop contacting them. Sending more than three emails to someone who doesn’t want to talk to you is overstepping. Once a publicist emails me more than three times without me responding I mute or block them because they aren’t respecting my boundaries (refusing to respond is a way to set boundaries). 3) Avoid using themed months and awareness weeks as your hook. If you plan to send a pitch about that month send it AT LEAST a month in advance. Know that a lot of newspapers absolutely hate when publicists pitch based on themed months or awareness weeks (editors from USA TODAY, The San Francisco Chronicle, and The Boston Globe have all told me they do not take pitches based on themed months or awareness weeks). 4) Your subject line is super important. If the subject line simply states there is an announcement about research/funding I immediately delete the email. I’ve done that for years now. I no longer open emails like that because they rarely have a solid angle. What’s the hook? Where’s the angle? Why will this matter to readers? I have never written a story focused on research findings or an announcement. That does not apply to all journalists, it depends on the journalist’s area of coverage, the publication, and what’s happening in the news. 5) Journalists usually don’t like to get on phone calls with PR professionals unless it’s to interview the client on the record. I was recently asked to get on a call with an entire comms team. It is not my job to appease publicists. My job is to write stories that spark dialogue while making people from marginalized groups feel seen and heard. Well, that’s all for now. I hope these tips help you forge a path to landing placements! #linkedin #linkedincommunity #publicists #publicist #pr #publicrelations #publicity #prtips #tips #advice #careeradvice #mediapitching #pitching #journorequest #journalism #journo #journalists #journalist #pitches #writersoflinkedin #writer #freelance #freelancer #freelancercommunity #mediarelations #blacklinkedin #blackexcellence #blackgirlmagic #writing #creativity #careers #career #jobs #mediarelations #protips #profession #media #linkedinpost #socialmedia

𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐠𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮? Over the past 20 years in the PR industry, I have learned that success comes from understanding the hidden rules, the unspoken guidelines of press releases and building journalist relationships, that truly drive results. If you would like to read in detail, then check out the article here: https://lnkd.in/dZXpqN6p Here are key points to ensure you stay on their radar: 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲: 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲- Don’t scatter your press release everywhere. Popularly known as the 'Spray and Pray' method in PR lingo. Offer it exclusively to one influential journalist, creating a sense of partnership and ensuring they feel invested in your story's success. 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: Customize your message for specific journalists or publications. 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠: Align your press release with current trends or breaking news. This relevance amplifies the impact and ensures it resonates with both journalists and readers. 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞- 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: Follow up politely and at well-timed intervals. Show that you value the story without disregarding the journalist’s time.  Understanding Personal Brand: Tailor your pitch to match the journalist’s style, preferred story angles, and audience expectations. This shows you’re offering a story that fits seamlessly into their narrative. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬: Offering an exclusive story is about initiating a relationship built on trust and mutual respect.  𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭: When you align your press release with current trends and offer it to the right journalist, your follow-up becomes part of a collaborative effort rather than just another email. Practical Tips: 💡 Persistence Without Nuisance  💡Customization Over Generic  💡Timing and Relevance  💡Respect Deadlines Mastering these rules turns ordinary press interactions into opportunities for significant, lasting impact, creating a cycle of mutual benefit. Kaizzen Kaizzen MENA #pr #kaizzen #marketing #pressrelease

As the school semester comes to an end, I would like to share a few tips I learnt from Pei Wen Wong's PR writing class on how to increase the chances of getting media coverage for your company. 🎤 1. Build relationships with journalists. Be sincere and authentic when doing this and become their valuable resource. 2. Quality over quantity. Sending more pitches might not necessarily mean getting more coverage. It is important to personalise your pitch to the right journalists. 3. Write a clear, succinct press release and pitch. Keep them short and put the most important information at the front. This way, you convey your message more effectively to the busy journalist who has an inbox filled with pitches. And this is not all! If you would like to find out more, here's an article I wrote with the rest of the tips: https://lnkd.in/g7mexFWF Feel free to give it a read and share your thoughts! 💭 #CS2101 #PRWriting #WritingForStrategicCommunication

PR folks based across the globe: Wherever you are, I'm running my popular Lessons from a Journalist: How to Secure Media Coverage workshop online in September (it's recorded so if you miss it, you can always watch it back). There's also one in London in August (limited availability). If you're teetering on whether to come along, Lisa Davies left wonderful feedback on this site following attending my workshop earlier this year. "Susie's workshop is the best one I've been to in all my years of comms-ing. Better than CIPR's, if you ask me. If you're looking to give yourself a refresher, or you're new to the magical world of the media and need to learn how to pitch, Susie's your woman!" (Starts blushing). If you'd like more details, please DM me or check out the links below. I also run private workshops for organisations too. ps here's a selection of other reactions to my workshops: "Just a quick one to say that I rewrote a pitch I had been preparing to send to one of the design magazines about one of our projects based on Monday's workshop and... it was successful. Thanks very much for the solid and relevant advice!” JENNY STEPHENS, PR AND DIGITAL COMMS, FEILDEN CLEGG BRADLEY STUDIO "If you've ever wanted the inside track on how to secure media coverage, I'd highly recommend the 'Lessons from a journalist' workshops. In a hectic world, connecting with journalists the right way can be hard, but after attending Susie's workshop, it feels like it's going to be a lot easier. I left with a host of resources, practical tips, and creative ideas. I've gone on to secure more press pickups using on Twitter and my new pitching style." TOM HIGGINS, MARKETING MANAGER, VOXPOPME "After a training session with freelancer Suzanne Bearne, I came away feeling completely besotted with my chosen profession. After twenty years in this job, I didn’t think there was anything I didn’t know. I know that sounds full of myself but after a certain amount of time, you can say that right? But actually, Suzanne taught me a lot of things that I’d either forgotten about, taken for granted or just hadn’t even considered." LYNSEY WALDEN, DIRECTOR, FRONT DOOR COMMUNICATIONS #mediatraining #journalism #pitching #PR

I’ve been on the receiving end of hundreds (realistically, thousands) of story pitches during my career as a journalist. Now, I’m on the other side of the table working in public relations. Here’s some PR tips I’ve picked up over the years. They’re not listed in order of importance, nor are they exhaustive. So I’d be interested to know what you’d add! 1.      Find out what the journalist actually writes about. It seems fairly obvious, but so many PR pitches are irrelevant (and eventually annoying). If you keep it up, expect an ‘unsubscribe’. 2.      A lot of emails are never opened (I left my one reporting position with tens of thousands of unread emails – it was impossible to keep up!), so if you genuinely think you’ve got a worthwhile story that a particular reporter will be interested in, try again (and be sensible about when you pitch) but don’t be pushy. 3.      Make sure it’s new and don’t oversell what you’ve got. Not every bit of research or report is worthy of being at the top of a news story. But it might make some useful background information lower down the story. If that’s the case, pitch it accordingly. (This works well with point 1, if you know that the journalist regularly writes about the particular issue). 4.      Develop respectful relationships with journalists. I know firsthand the frustrations of dealing with press teams at some organisations – and it doesn’t need to be that way. In the end, you’ve both got a job to do so look for ways to make it work. 5.      Respect a deadline. Unfortunately, newsroom resources aren’t what they once were. So journalists’ time is stretched even thinner. It means they’re often juggling multiple stories with different deadlines. If you can’t meet their deadline for whatever reason, let them know as soon as possible. 6.      Look for ways to value add. This might be by providing a case study that can give a real-life example of what you’re talking about, or it might mean pulling together some additional data to localise a global issue. 7.      If you’re offering something as an exclusive, make sure it is. And set a clear timeframe for the story pitch to be considered, so the journalist can check with their editors whether they’ll go for it. 8.      Don’t bend embargoes for different outlets. Unfortunately, embargoes won’t suit everyone – newspapers will want an embargo to lift in the morning. TV newsrooms will want something to be fresh when their evening news bulletin comes around. If you set an embargo, stick to it. 9.      Make sure you’re ready for follow-up questions. There’s no point pitching a story if your interviewee is unavailable or unprepared to speak to journalists.   10.  And finally…. know what’s going on in the news! Keeping track of the news cycle will make you much more effective in your job. And here's a bonus pic of a serious-looking me from 10 years ago today... gosh, time flies.