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An interview with a newspaper journalist

Written by: Sarah O'Brien

Article Overview: Welcome the the mind of a newspaper reporter.

An interview with a newspaper journalist

What’s your position title? Reporter for the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Do you read all media releases that come your way? No.

How many media releases do you receive in an average week? Roughly, what % are useful to you?
I receive approximately 50 a week, and less than 10 per cent are useful.

What other methods do you use to generate/find stories? Calling contacts, the internet, reports.

Do you have a weekly quota of stories? No.

What is your preferred method of contact?/What is the best way to pitch a story to you? Email or phone. The best way to pitch a story is to present the idea to me first over the phone and make me aware that an email will arrive shortly with the details. There needs to be a clear news angle in the release. Journalists don’t respond well to blatant attempts to ‘get a plug’. It also helps if there is a photo opportunity. Flexibility in timing as well as ideas is also favourable.

What stories/topics do you focus on/are you interested in? Film and television, Police, court stories, human interest, stories particularly for women, gossip, relationships.

What are the best days to pitch to you? Any day - but it is best to send a release at least a few days before the event or interview/photo opportunity.

What’s your definition of news?/What’s news to you? News is anything in the public interest.

What is the most annoying thing that PR agents or other individuals do when trying to get publicity with you? Ring to see if I received a press release after it has been sent. It’s best to ring before to tell me to expect it— and then if I don’t receive it and I’m interested, I will call you.

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I don't use hi... - I use, Dear __________ (whatever their surname is). But then, I'm generallyasking for an interview from an author, filmmaker, etc., so I believe in being formal, until they give me permission to use their first name. Usually, if they respond at all, they agree to give me an interview and call me by my first name, so then we get on a first name basis. And 99% of people I approach do agree to an interview...which is nice.... Everybody likes to talk about themselves!
Re: Interview on the Lynn Johnson Radio Show - Hi Alan, Well done on getting the interview slot on the show, that will give your business some great exposure. I will listen to the interview later today and will leave a comment on your blog, regards, Mal.
Exclusive: Interview with Results - Hi Forum Members, I'm helping start up a Business Coaching and Consulting company here in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (a Subsidiary of RSC Business in Los Angeles). As a Research and Development Intern I am required to practice my listening and interview skills by surveying Small and Medium Businesses on thier Business. This Survey is designed by RSC Business to also assist the Business being interviewed more insight into their own business. I am looking to interview about 30 businesses across North America over the span of 3 months. At the end of these interviews I will be publishing a report of the results and they will be made available for free to the Interviewees. The Report data will include responses from a minimum of 100 interviews. I would like to extend this opportunity to members of the Forum. If you would like to have this short 20-30 minute interview conducted on your Business and you reside in North America please send me an email or PM. Please contact me at andy[at]jvprosperity[dot]com to arrange our interview and to get free access to the results when they are published.
Re: Would you pass on a media opportunity? - If it is a request for an interview about my business, I would accept it. How short is "short notice"? If it is, like, right now, then I would breath deeply and go for it! (But try not to gabble!) If you have a bit longer, then write a quick mind map of key points and a few keywords. Even more important would be to lie down, relax and use "mental imaging techniques" to picture yourself handling the interview well. Good luck! David H
Re: Rudeness! - [quote="OmnivoreInk":15lk162t]But some people say no. Well...they don't say no, they just don't bother to respond at all. And that really annoys me. I don't mind being turned down for an interview, but I'd like the courtesy of a reply. Even saying "Sorry, your publication is too small to bother with" is less rude than not even answering at all! Because you don't know if they never got your email, or if they're just being rude! But when you've had an email conversation with them on another subject, so that you [i:15lk162t]know [/i:15lk162t]they're getting your emails, and then you ask for an interview and all of a sudden...silence... you know they're just being rude.[/quote:15lk162t] Hi Barbara, I was recently fortunate enough to attend a seminar on "Media relations strategies for entrepreneurial business" by Ian Portsmouth, Editor of Profit Magazine and he was telling us how he receives hundreds of pitches everyday via email, phone, fax, product gifts, etc... and the truth is that the majority of them are never even read, let alone responded to (so you shouldn't feel bad). Influential people are often hounded/stalked by small business owners who want something from them, so it should come to no surprise that they're more selective in who they trust or choose to correspond with. In addition, maybe some of the people you're writing to are simply very busy or may have misinterpreted your email request for an interview to be spam? Your best bet for an interview is probably through a third-party endorsement. But I definitely agree with your point about individuals who normally correspond with you, but then suddenly give you the silent treatment when you ask for an interview as being rude. While I don't think a stranger owes you anything, I feel that an acquaintance owes you at least a response.


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