Tips to get a Journalist interested in your press release

Inner West Courier Journalist, Rashell Habib, is always looking for great stories to feature in print and online to a readership of almost 200,000.

Rashell shares her tips to getting more press coverage for your business.

Q1: What makes you take notice of a good media release?

As with a story, a media release has my attention with the heading and introduction. If it is not relevant or interesting enough for my readers within the first few seconds of reading it, then it is a dud.

Q2: How would you like Small Businesses to write a press release?

First and foremost, know the publication and what is relevant to it. There is no point pitching a business that does not have relevance to the publication. Also journalists will not pick up a story unless there is actually a story in there. We are not there to sell your business; we are there to inform the reader.

Q3: During your time as journalist, what is the best press pitch you have seen?

There is no single one that stands out, there are the ones that get sent with big fanfare, such as bottles of vodka etc but free gifts won’t make any (good) journalist take notice. It is the story, the facts and what you business has to offer readers.

Q4: What is your pet hate about people submitting press releases?

Arrogance. If you don’t hear back from the journalist, call them, follow up but do not take offence and become narky if your story is not picked up. That way you burn your bridges with the publication and its sister publications for good. Also long winded releases, keep it simple. Use fact boxes; make sure your facts are accurate.

Q5: What’s your TOP 3 tips for small businesses looking to get media coverage for their business through your media outlet?

Keep your pitch quick and simple, use dot points if need be.
Know the publication, research it’s demographics.
Here is my biggest tip: Read the journalists’ stories before you pitch to them, have a feel of what interests them, what they write about and cater your release to that.

Q6: How can people follow you?

I am on twitter at @rashellha

Come meet Rashell and the panel of media at Pitch to Media, CLICK HERE

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