How do you follow up after submitting a press release?
Press Release Follow Up – The most important thing is to provide the most appropriate and interesting information about your story/ news.
Press Release Follow Up is very crucial and helpful in building relationship with journalists and media persons. There are no set rules, however, one need to keep few things in mind while sending press release and doing follow ups.
1. Right selection of media and journalists – Before sending a fresh press release check your list of media houses and list of journalists. Send your press release specifically to people who are regularly covering those topics.
2. Take special note of Quick Responders –Make a special list of media house that publish your story immediately. This list will be helpful to you for your future press releases as you will be sure that they are going to publish you immediately.
3. Follow up with journalists who have not covered your story – Good Journalists and media houses receive too many emails and phone calls. So, it is really tough for them to decide which story should be selected and which one to be declined. An interesting subject line can help you get attention in the first mail, and a follow up mail ideally after 3 – 4 days (just to make sure your message has been read by the journalist). But, don’t make a simple follow up, take the follow up as an opportunity to build relationship. Offer few interesting facts, testimonials, findings, etc. to make your company/ news more appealing and worth covering in the news.
4. Follow up by phone calls – Frankly speaking, phone calls to be avoided. It will take more time and you would not be able to connect with so many right journalists – for a very simple reason – they are really busy and get so many calls. They can’t pay attention to all. Over the time you will definitely build good relationship with few journalists who would wish to talk to you. You would prefer to give them a call once you send them any release. The thumb rule is – Call when you know the journalist/ media house personally.
5. Quickly respond to their requests – Journalists may ask you for more information related to your story. They can request for interview with relevant persons, or request for supporting documents, images, statements, stats, etc. You should keep all these things handy so that you can respond to them quickly. Responding to their queries is even more important than the follow ups. Associate with then when they are interested in you.
Recommendation – The most important thing to keep in mind while sending a press release and doing a follow up is to provide the most appropriate and interesting information about your story/ news. With a little bit of preparation beforehand, you can respond quickly and effectively, and that would help you build and maintain a good relationship with journalists, bloggers and media houses.
About Robin Li
Robin Li is Marketing and PR Leader at Big PRwire. With over a decade of experience in PR, he helps ensure that clients understand the value of brand messaging and reach.
Want more free Press Release, Marketing, and Public Relations tips and tactics? follow me at Quora.
