Comments on: What the Hell is Public Relations? http://www.moorethink.com/2009/07/13/what-the-hell-is-public-relations/ Less Confusion Wed, 18 Jan 2012 14:26:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Skywalker http://www.moorethink.com/2009/07/13/what-the-hell-is-public-relations/comment-page-1/#comment-679 Skywalker Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:09:23 +0000 http://www.moorethink.com/?p=390#comment-679 It's all about the relationship ... but you know this already. No matter how interesting or boring your pitch and associated story angle, if you have an established relationship with a reporter/editor, chances increase exponentially that they'll at least read your email and probably reply. No relationship in place, and a mass email to 300 reporters will almost always yield the same results -- little to no response. I tend to believe reporters more today than I did several years ago with their "i'm too busy claims." Reduced staff = increased beat coverage. Social media = more channels for which they have to provide content. A print reporter back in the day only had to meet deadline with a single story. That's not busy. Reporters today have to write their story for print, then blog about it, then make sure their twitter feed is updated, then upload a video to YouTube, then record a podcast, etc. etc. Today's reporters certainly have more of an argument that they're spread a little thin. They're busy feeding the machines that perpetuate our ADD culture. I've also found, however, that when a reporter has more content channels to fill, your chances increase that they'll be interested in your "news." Very likely that they won't write an all out article about your topic, but they may be interested in including a mention in their blog, etc. In this sense, one could argue that today's media model presents more of an opportunity for PR folks. Last observation -- Email is still the killer app. Any reporter who claims "i'd rather just receive pitches via Twitter" is just trying to protect their inbox and reduce the number of pitches they get. You think breaking through the noise via email is difficult, try getting noticed in some stranger's twitter feed. Gimme a break. Skywalker It’s all about the relationship … but you know this already. No matter how interesting or boring your pitch and associated story angle, if you have an established relationship with a reporter/editor, chances increase exponentially that they’ll at least read your email and probably reply. No relationship in place, and a mass email to 300 reporters will almost always yield the same results — little to no response.

I tend to believe reporters more today than I did several years ago with their “i’m too busy claims.” Reduced staff = increased beat coverage. Social media = more channels for which they have to provide content. A print reporter back in the day only had to meet deadline with a single story. That’s not busy. Reporters today have to write their story for print, then blog about it, then make sure their twitter feed is updated, then upload a video to YouTube, then record a podcast, etc. etc. Today’s reporters certainly have more of an argument that they’re spread a little thin. They’re busy feeding the machines that perpetuate our ADD culture.

I’ve also found, however, that when a reporter has more content channels to fill, your chances increase that they’ll be interested in your “news.” Very likely that they won’t write an all out article about your topic, but they may be interested in including a mention in their blog, etc. In this sense, one could argue that today’s media model presents more of an opportunity for PR folks.

Last observation — Email is still the killer app. Any reporter who claims “i’d rather just receive pitches via Twitter” is just trying to protect their inbox and reduce the number of pitches they get. You think breaking through the noise via email is difficult, try getting noticed in some stranger’s twitter feed. Gimme a break.

Skywalker

]]> By: Ken Vest http://www.moorethink.com/2009/07/13/what-the-hell-is-public-relations/comment-page-1/#comment-677 Ken Vest Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:37:21 +0000 http://www.moorethink.com/?p=390#comment-677 I agree with every thing you say but think you're making this too hard --PR -communications -Public Affairs -was and always will be writing - shapping - telling your client's story. On any given day there are going to be more interesting stories --The Kent Hance Senate campaign is short one camera crew in Beaumont because of a drowning in the bay. Your description of problems in the legacy media are right but you left one out --the declining news hole --fewer reporters doing more with less space --except on line and in broadcast. PEW found that as more consumers migrate to the Internet Local TV is still the most popular source of news in America (51%) (Remember Omaha in the 80s? Small appliaacnes what about 'em?) --So remodel your pitch for the locals --I have to believe Medcaid rip offs will find a nice home there --of course your pitch may have to be a little hyperactive --screaming tag lines and all --but they can find some local bad guys--right? I agree with every thing you say but think you’re making this too hard –PR -communications -Public Affairs -was and always will be writing – shapping – telling your client’s story. On any given day there are going to be more interesting stories –The Kent Hance Senate campaign is short one camera crew in Beaumont because of a drowning in the bay.

Your description of problems in the legacy media are right but you left one out –the declining news hole –fewer reporters doing more with less space

–except on line and in broadcast.

PEW found that as more consumers migrate to the Internet Local TV is still the most popular source of news in America (51%) (Remember Omaha in the 80s? Small appliaacnes what about ‘em?)

–So remodel your pitch for the locals –I have to believe Medcaid rip offs will find a nice home there –of course your pitch may have to be a little hyperactive –screaming tag lines and all –but they can find some local bad guys–right?

]]> By: Jim http://www.moorethink.com/2009/07/13/what-the-hell-is-public-relations/comment-page-1/#comment-676 Jim Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:35:04 +0000 http://www.moorethink.com/?p=390#comment-676 I agree completely, Ross. I never wanted people wasting my time, either. I agree completely, Ross. I never wanted people wasting my time, either.

]]> By: Ross Ramsey http://www.moorethink.com/2009/07/13/what-the-hell-is-public-relations/comment-page-1/#comment-675 Ross Ramsey Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:21:42 +0000 http://www.moorethink.com/?p=390#comment-675 Having been both a biz and a political reporter, I can tell you that one problem with many PR folks is that they give the same weight to their good and bad pitches. There's often no difference between, "Hey look, this is right up your alley," and "Hey look, I have a client who needs to be in your publication." The best flacks are the ones who sort these things out and don't waste a reporter/editor's time. They suffer for what the bad flacks do to those same journalists.... Having been both a biz and a political reporter, I can tell you that one problem with many PR folks is that they give the same weight to their good and bad pitches. There’s often no difference between, “Hey look, this is right up your alley,” and “Hey look, I have a client who needs to be in your publication.” The best flacks are the ones who sort these things out and don’t waste a reporter/editor’s time. They suffer for what the bad flacks do to those same journalists….

]]> By: Jack Holt http://www.moorethink.com/2009/07/13/what-the-hell-is-public-relations/comment-page-1/#comment-672 Jack Holt Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:17:00 +0000 http://www.moorethink.com/?p=390#comment-672 As another person with a particular interest in a company, I think reporters are being increasingly "disintermediated" by the people's media. The "United Breaks Guitars" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_X-Qoh__mw) is a very current example. Would have made a great story. But too late for old media. In the end, like industry analysts, I just don't think it matters that much and it looks like you made the right career move 10 years ago. And not to put a stick to it but it's "PR"; not Reporter Relations. As another person with a particular interest in a company, I think reporters are being increasingly “disintermediated” by the people’s media.

The “United Breaks Guitars” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_X-Qoh__mw) is a very current example. Would have made a great story. But too late for old media.

In the end, like industry analysts, I just don’t think it matters that much and it looks like you made the right career move 10 years ago.

And not to put a stick to it but it’s “PR”; not Reporter Relations.

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