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Thu, May 03 2012 08:13:15

Journalists Tweet Their PR Pet Peeves

There are the PR lessons you're taught in school, the advice you're given from industry mentors and then there's the straight from the horse's mouth tips you'd pay money for.

  1. Recently @muckrack asked journalists to share some of their pitching pet peeves in a #muckedup chat. I've compiled my favorites for your learning pleasure.

  2. Compiled by Raschanda Hall, Global Media Relations Manager, Business Wire Chicago
  3. AshleyKMayo
    Ashley Mayo@AshleyKMayo
    @muckrack I automatically delete any pitch that begins, "Dear Sir/Madam"
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:41:11
  4. jenwieczner
    Jen Wieczner@jenwieczner
    @muckrack Don't start emails with "how are you?" when we've never met #muckedup
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:52:25
  5. MickiMaynard
    Micheline Maynard@MickiMaynard
    @muckrack pet pitch peeve: "since you just wrote about ______, thought you'd be interested in _____." No, I just wrote about it.
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:36:17
  6. davidlandsel
    David Landsel@davidlandsel
    .@muckrack pitch peeve: leading w/ "I just read your AMAZING story about X, and.." Flattery has gotten better PRs than you nowhere, dear.
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:54:54
  7. tomfitzDC
    Tom Fitzgerald@tomfitzDC
    @muckrack when the pitch starts "if it's a slow news day..." ie: because you wouldn't cover this thing on a good news day :-)
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:23:03
  8. cmangis
    cmangis@cmangis
    @muckrack PR peeve: pitches for "story ideas" (no, that's my job) or for "free articles" (seriously?!)
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:50:53
  9. jackschofield
    Jack Schofield@jackschofield
    Pet #PR peeves: (1) no photos or links to photos; (2) UK releases that arrive the day after the US release; (3) PR not around. cc @muckrack
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:54:07
  10. jenwieczner
    Jen Wieczner@jenwieczner
    @muckrack Mistaking me for a .com writer when I write for a monthly mag. Don't pitch me tax tip stories when we're working on July #muckedup
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:50:24
  11. ErinScottPR
    Erin (Scott) Bell@ErinScottPR
    @muckrack asking for questions ahead of time only to later give prepared and safe answers. #muckedup boring!!
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:56:39
  12. WallandBroad
    Debra Borchardt@WallandBroad
    @muckrack 1) double pitching people in the same office 2) random connections - a hooker that has written a book is not a "business" story
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:43:23
  13. davelee
    Dave Lee@davelee
    @muckrack "Our CEO is in town this week, it would be useful for you to meet him!" Translated: "Oh crap, we need to look like a good PR team"
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:54:52
  14. WallandBroad
    Debra Borchardt@WallandBroad
    @muckrack Pitching a source 2 days after a story was in the headlines. You are late and wasting my time.
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:45:08
  15. relaxedtravel
    Nicholas Holmes@relaxedtravel
    (Unsolicited) PR email of the day: 'Please let me know you agree to the below embargo so I can send you a press release.' (@muckrack)
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:02:46
  16. lakey
    Chris Lake@lakey
    @muckrack Being asked by a PR to send a link to them *when* we write up the story. File under: 'Dumb as a brick'. #muckedup
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:53:58
  17. thomasemills
    Thomas Mills@thomasemills
    @muckrack It is really easy to be nice, but it is also much easier to be rude. Don't be rude. This goes for both sides and happens often.
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:51:39

  18. Oh and then the tides turned and PR pros were asked to share their journalist pet peeves.

  19. brandee
    Brandee Barker@brandee
    .@muckrack when 300 reporters email you at once during a crisis & then write "X couldn't be reached for comment." #muckedup
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:34:35
  20. renaenoelle
    Renae Godish@renaenoelle
    @muckrack Journos that never respond. A simple "not the right fit, send it to this colleague" helps me better target my pitch next time.
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:42:40
  21. sdratch
    Sharon Dratch@sdratch
    .@muckrack Reporters who agree to briefings, then go MIA when it comes time to schedule #muckedup
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:04:33
  22. LindaVandeVrede
    LindaVandeVrede@LindaVandeVrede
    @muckrack What used to annoy me was reporters assigned to cover high-tech who knew nothing about the topic
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:57:46
  23. wonky_donky
    Chris Owen@wonky_donky
    @muckrack main bugbear is rudeness (although i'd be tetchy if i was bombarded all day too i guess). we're human too, we're not punchbags
    Wed, May 02 2012 07:59:18
  24. Susannjerry
    Susann Jerry@Susannjerry
    @muckrack ordering sample cakes for a "product review" aka the editor's daughter's 4th birthday. No product review appears #havingalaugh
    Wed, May 02 2012 08:03:38

  25. And yet another turn of events; Journalists decided to balance it out and offer some praise for PR done well.


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Raschanda Hall

I'm Global Media Relations Manager with Business Wire. I'm based in our Chicago office and my comments are personal and don't necessarily reflect BW's views

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