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MediaRelations<br />
6<br />
DON’T nag the reporter.<br />
DO space out your calls so you don’t<br />
become a pest. Email is the best way<br />
to connect with most journalists,<br />
who often rely on it as a way to get<br />
work done quickly. And make sure<br />
to give them a reasonable length<br />
of time—at least a day or two—to<br />
respond to you.<br />
7<br />
DON’T assume that the reporter or<br />
editor remembers who you are.<br />
DO keep in mind that they deal<br />
with multiple sources and many<br />
different subject matters. Immediately<br />
identify yourself by name or<br />
by topic before launching into the<br />
purpose of your call—even if you<br />
spoke to the same journalist the<br />
week before.<br />
60 | <strong>BedTimes</strong> | May 2009<br />
8<br />
DON’T delay returning calls from<br />
reporters or fact-checkers.<br />
DO understand that journalists<br />
are on deadline and often need to<br />
speak with you immediately. If you<br />
snooze, you may lose the chance for<br />
an interview.<br />
9<br />
DON’T call a magazine a week before<br />
a big holiday with your holidaythemed<br />
idea.<br />
DO remember that magazines publish<br />
issues months in advance. Time<br />
your pitches well.<br />
10<br />
DON’T leave your contact information<br />
off your news releases or email.<br />
DO err on the side of giving too<br />
much information. Put all contact<br />
information on your news release.<br />
Send a follow-up email with the<br />
same information. Speak slowly<br />
when leaving a phone message, particularly<br />
when you give your phone<br />
number.<br />
www.sleepproducts.org/bedtimes
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