Welcome to the latest installment of our series on journalists’ pet peeves as seen on Twitter. If you’re new to this collection of candid and unfiltered reactions to some of the dumber things PR pros (although let’s face it, more like amateurs) get up to, then brace yourselves, because it can get nasty. But if you are an avid reader, you will know that these are amazing nuggets of information to guide you away from PR no-go areas. Some of these complaints are about things that might surprise us, others are extreme examples that make anyone with common sense laugh out loud (LOL!).
Are you ready for some roasting?
April
More than 1.5 pages, and it starts to be overkill. FOUR is just begging to be trolled on Twitter.
Are you sending unfinished press releases with potential mistakes to journalists? What if they publish those mistakes? Oh, you didn’t think of that?
Journalists sometimes care about certain things, but only at the right time. But sometimes, they don’t care at all. This one is a fail on both counts.
Never underestimate the power of a good press page on your website. No matter how small or big you are.
Some press releases should have never been written.
Nothing says “I don’t care about the resulting article from this press release” like sending the press release to a journalist who likes to do a proper job of it, on the same day you expect coverage
More things that say “I don’t care”
It’s nice that some journos think everyone doing PR went to PR school.
May
Five emails in a row with no answer. But, what if I send another one? Maybe that one will trigger a response!
Folks, let’s be clear. You can put stuff on your website any day, any time. The whole point of an exclusive is that it has value. So give it to journos!
But, but… the whole startup ecosystem will collapse!
You are already in the interview! Be truthful, transparent and nice to journalists. Don’t hide behind a deck-presentation style conversation.
Don’t confuse PR with sales! In today’s world, sales tactics such as early calls are usually irrelevant for journalists!
June
Just because PR folks don’t take holidays doesn’t mean the rest of the world does the same.
Does it mean there are two options? Do some people not have calendars?
