1. “Why hasn’t my news release been published?”

Well, there could be several reasons, but you’re likely to never get an answer if you ask this way. If you’re looking for coverage in a weekly or monthly newspaper, be patient because your news is probably in line behind a bunch of other news items that will run when space permits.

Some news releases never run because they don’t actually contain news. A release about the weekend specials at a pizza shop isn’t news because every pizza shop has weekend specials. A release not written in the Associated Press style of news writing may also never see print, because media simply don’t have the time to edit an entire release.

If you really want media coverage, strive for something more than a news release being published. Tell the media how your news impacts the public or a specific industry, give them an expert or a local voice to talk about the subject, and provide them with facts, statistics and visuals that will help them tell the story.

2. “I noticed that you opened my e-mail.”

This is just tacky. And creepy. And smells like desperation.

E-mail monitoring software has its benefits, but don’t use e-mail recipient data in a way that hurts your reputation with media. Notification of an opened message is exactly that. It doesn’t mean the message was read. It doesn’t mean the person has interest in coverage. Let things happen naturally and keep the conversation to your story idea and the journalist’s beat. And stop refreshing the sent e-mail monitoring page.

See Also: “I know you haven’t opened my e-mail, but…”

3. “Thanks for your interest.”

There is an appropriate time for this phrase, but not everyone gets the timing right. Preemptively thanking someone for their interest is not what to say at the end of an initial e-mail or voicemail to someone who knows nothing about your news, and may or may not be intrigued once they’ve been informed.

The phrase can be particularly irritating if you don’t have a laser-focused media list and your news about a knife sharpener went to, say, an education reporter. Instead, use a phrase like “Thanks for your consideration” or “Thanks for considering this story idea/information” to acknowledge them for taking the time to read your message.

Wait for the person you are communicating with to actually tell you they are interested in a story idea, or they want more information before you thank them for doing that.

4. Anything in ALL CAPS

Especially in subject lines and headlines. Or, in a follow-up e-mail when you are “helping” someone understand when your client is free to talk, or pointing out the exceptional details about your news.

Lose the caps and try a bulleted list, or share a personal story or anecdote that strengthens your story idea. The sight of words in all caps gives media pros a unanimous desire to hit the DELETE button.

5. “My client is very busy. Can you call them/meet them ASAP?”

If your client isn’t the Pope, the leader of a country, or an A-list celebrity, the question shouldn’t be asked and the answer will be no. Journalists are very busy, too. The making of a story takes two parties and an interview will happen at a time that works for both. Even if a journalist can do an interview quickly, there is always the chance that breaking news may pull them away and you’ll need to reschedule. Let the media pro know you are flexible about interview times and offer more than one option when asked about a time.

6. “Can I review the article/interview before it runs/airs?” 

Do you take a test sip of your drive-thru coffee before paying for it?  

No, because you trust that your drink was made correctly by someone who knows what they are doing. A healthy PR pro/journalist relationship is built on trust. The PR pro has confidence that they have provided the media pro with the correct and relevant information, and trusts that they will create an article, column, or interview that is factual and fair.  

Does this always happen? No. But, it doesn’t give a PR pro the right to fact check the work of every media pro they have contact with. If a reporter or editor offers a look at the story before it runs, take it up, but don’t use it as an opportunity to paint a perfect picture that isn’t being told. Make any corrections to facts and thank them for sharing.