| It's very clear that Twitter has become the place for | | | | placement in the journalist's publication or land a spot |
| public relations professionals. Twitter allows the PR | | | | on their show. Often times just demonstrating that you |
| specialists to connect with journalists and bloggers. | | | | can be a valuable resource to them. When the time is |
| When used tactfully, it allows those in media relations | | | | right, they might approach you. |
| to learn about a journalists specific interests and | | | | - Journalists write because the want people to listen. If |
| preferences. This can help the PR professional | | | | you can express your interest by showing appreciation |
| prepare customized pitches for journalists that want to | | | | for stories you truly enjoy and respond to the |
| hear them. | | | | journalists tweets, you'll befriend them must sooner. |
| Twitter, when used properly can be a powerful PR | | | | Journalists will open they're ear to you, if they know |
| tool. But as with any communication, there are good | | | | you do the same for them. |
| ways and bad ways to approach it. Here are a few | | | | Above all else, the key to interacting with a journalist is |
| things to keep in mind: | | | | respect. You should communicate with them in a |
| - Compared to other methods, journalists are often | | | | professional manner and put your time in. Blindly |
| more receptive to being pitched on Twitter, because it | | | | pitching your story and pushing your agenda is a |
| forces the public relations professional to be brief. In | | | | surefire way to lose the respect of a writer, |
| fact, he only gets 140 characters. | | | | broadcaster, or any one else in the news business. |
| - Using a direct message for your first interaction with | | | | Instead you should consider their needs, interests, and |
| a journalist is rude-especially if it's a pitch. If you're off | | | | preferred method of contact. |
| topic because you didn't take the time to engage the | | | | By following journalists, you can observe how other |
| journalist in dialog it's even worse. | | | | communications professionals successfully use Twitter. |
| - If you take the time to discover what the journalist | | | | By noticing what works and what doesn't for each |
| likes writing about, it will be much easier for you to pitch | | | | individual journalist, you'll be better prepared for your |
| a story that's relevant to him and his audience. Ideally, | | | | own approach. Following established PR professionals |
| you'd follow the journalist for a while before making a | | | | can benefit you too. Through conversation and |
| push of your own. | | | | observation you'll find that Twitter can be a powerful |
| - Keep in mind that you don't always have to seek a | | | | Public Relations tool. |