Comments on: Pitches, Not Rolodexes, Matter

By: Jamie Favreau

Jamie Favreau — Sun, 27 Jun 2010 04:54:46 +0000

Thank you for your thoughts on this subject matter.

I often get intimidated by my lack of experience and lack of contacts. It just proves if you have good content you will get your story placed. It is about how you approach the reporter and what content you are using which matters in the end.

By: Laura Newman

Laura Newman — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:06:58 +0000

You're so right! I've had this conversation multiple times. While contacts are valuable , particularly for the mere fact that it allows us to be more time efficient – the ability to embrace and synthesize any business message/story and investigate and identify media outlets to pitch is the critical skill and service you should look for. I've pitched plenty of editors/writers who didn't know me from atom and replied without hesitation because I gave them a good story, and did my homework! Thanks for sharing this!

By: Doreenoverstreet

Doreenoverstreet — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 15:46:28 +0000

Very much agreed. If someone just throws out their rolodex contacts (aka name dropping), I think it's a sign of insecurity — and sometimes desperation for business. People who are secure with their media relations work know that it's a combination of skill, hardwork and constant relationship building … and of course dumb luck sometimes

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 19:40:42 +0000

You are absolutely right. But you wouldn't believe how many PR professional brag that they have more contacts than God. It's all about content, not contacts. Thank you for sharing your great insights and thoughts.

By: Pattie

Pattie — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:46:31 +0000

Perfect. As someone who is new to an area and does not have many contacts, the quality of the pitch is what I can offer. I agree with you that it is the key to wide ranging coverage.

By: heatherwhaling

heatherwhaling — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:46:01 +0000

So true! The people who “get” the difference are the best clients. I've found that the ones who get hung up on relationships or one-off campaigns aren't really the type of clients I want to work with anyway!

By: heatherwhaling

heatherwhaling — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:44:51 +0000

Love this response! Thanks, Gina — you're totally right. How you do your job IS more important than your contact list!

By: Jennifer Wilbur

Jennifer Wilbur — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:23:18 +0000

Great response, Heather! I have lost track of how many times I've heard the question, "What contacts do you have?" when potentially working with a new client. I tell them I do have relationships with a few folks, but that's not why they should work with me, followed by a similar explanation to yours.

And to Seth's point, I remind them that it's not just about a single media relations campaign. If that's all they want, they have the wrong girl.

The great news is that almost always the potential client "gets it" quickly. The PR profession and the client benefit from this exchange, so I hope I'm asked it from every prospect.

By: Gina Kazimir / PR Right Now

Gina Kazimir / PR Right Now — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:19:34 +0000

THANK YOU for pointing out the reality of media relations today. The sad, simple fact is that media contacts are changing – and often shrinking – so rapidly that what truly matters is not so much who you know but how well you can present.

I have worked both sides of the desk, and the reality is that a well organized, interesting story, accompanied by background info and other contacts, is going to be easier to write on deadline than something that comes to me with nothing more than a “hey, my cousin is doing this.” Provide real information, make it sing, and offer help in getting what the reporter/blogger/newscaster needs and you may well find you can get those “impossible” placements.

Bottom line – how well you do your job is more important than whose name is in your Blackberry.

By: heatherwhaling

heatherwhaling — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 15:35:20 +0000

HA! I love this rant. Thank you for expressing what I'm sure many people in your position feel!