Don't forget freelance journalists

I want to remind any PRs reading this to nurture relationships with freelance hacks. Many PRs and business owners tend to focus more heavily on in-house journalists and forget about the freelancers out there. But here's why you should hone in more on freelance journalists:

👏 They can work with you across several titles. I'm currently working with two PRs who will see their client secure coverage in two titles each. A while back I worked with a PR on a profile slot for the BBC and a half-page piece in the Guardian. Freelance journalists = more opportunities for press coverage.

👏 Your pitch is more likely to be picked up. Staff inboxes can be messy. Mine is nothing like how it was when I was on staff. I'm not working on a busy newsdesk meaning I'm more likely to answer targeted pitches.

👏 Also, if your pitch doesn't work for the place you had in mind when you pitched a freelance journalist, they can also consider where else it might work. If you pitch an in-house journalist, you have one shot. Not so with a freelancer.

And don't forget:

👏 To invite freelancers to events and on press trips. Since I shifted over to freelance life in 2011, the number of invites I receive has fallen off a cliff - despite working for larger publications. With fewer invites landing in their inbox and fewer sociable work opportunities, arguably a freelance journalist is more likely to come to your event. (I know it’s harder for me to attend events now as many are in London and I live in Margate, and I’m pretty nomadic, but when I lived in London I would definitely have attended more PR events if invited).

For more tips, come along to one of my Lessons from a Journalist workshops or webinars.

Drop me a line if you have any questions. I offer discounts for three people or more attending any of the workshops. If anyone is self-employed and struggling with the price, send me a message and I'll see what I can do.