In today’s fast-paced media world, reaching journalists seeking stories can be surprisingly challenging. I am going to risk sounding like the old guy who says, “Get off my lawn!” But back in my day, reporters did everything they could to be reachable. The idea was simple: If you are easy to contact, someone with a great story might contact you.
That philosophy seems to have gone by the wayside, at least among a few. I am on the PR side of the world these days, and have a nice share of contacts I can easily catch via text, email, or phone. But in trying to reach out to a few people I don’t know, I’ve found they don’t really want to be known.
In a series of attempts this morning, I discovered a Kansas City TV station whose website dumps all reporter emails into a “news@…” address checked by God knows who, a Springfield, MO newspaper with a phone number for the newsroom that no human answers (I tried multiple times over a couple of days), and series of reporters that make no effort to provide an “option B” if you don’t reach them with a call to their desk or an email. And does anyone provide a cell number on the website anymore? Not a chance.
I spent more than two decades as a journalist, and I was the easiest person to find on the planet. This is not a boast. I followed the lead of others I was working with at the time. My cell phone number was on my voicemail, in the auto signature on my emails, and in my contact information on the stations’s website. If you had a story you wanted to pitch to me, you would get your chance.
This is a good news/bad news approach. The bad news is you will get some weird calls, and talk to a few people you would rather have never engaged with. The good news: I got countless story tips that led to more than enough stories to make the practice worthwhile. And before you ask, no, I never felt unsafe. I had my share of uncomfortable moments, but they never came because my phone number was out there.
In a time when journalism is receiving a lot of fire (some warranted, some not), I wonder if our newest generation of journalists is doing themselves and the profession a disservice by not being more available to the public. I don’t say this because I’m upset my PR pitch wasn’t heard in a few places. That comes with the territory.
I say this because someone with knowledge of a really important story may never be heard. Why? Because the message being sent through actions of many journalists and news outlets is, “we don’t want to hear you.”
I understand that times have changed. Some might feel there are safety issues. Attorneys for news outlets might even be stepping in to limit the personal information reporters provide. It is also quite possible the practice has simply evolved to this. There is also the issue of generational differences. Some people want to work their shift, go home, and make personal time truly personal. That is certainly their right.
Don’t get me wrong. I am as big a fan of reporters today as ever. These are smart people who work impossible hours in a profession that often doesn’t pay them anything close to what they are worth. These are committed people. I just want to offer a reminder that a great source may be out there looking for you. Don’t make yourself too hard to find.
By the way, if you are looking to pitch your story, one of our superpowers here at Chemistry PR and Multimedia is our ability to get past these obstacles for you and place really good stories.
George Sells is the Director of Client Services and Content at Chemistry PR and Multimedia in St. Louis. If you’d like to tell him this article was terrible, his email is George@ChemistryMultimedia.com and his number is (314) 610-3335.Â
