{"id":36254,"date":"2023-09-13T13:15:46","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T13:15:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newonclusivstg.wpengine.com\/?p=36254"},"modified":"2026-05-21T13:30:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T13:30:18","slug":"how-to-follow-up-with-journalists-effectively","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/onclusive.com\/en-gb\/resources\/blog\/how-to-follow-up-with-journalists-effectively\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Follow Up with Journalists Effectively\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n \n\t\t\t
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The journalists of today are bombarded with a torrent of storie<\/span>s, making it easy for PR pieces to get lost in the shuffle. As PR, communications, and media relations professionals, following up with journalists is an essential practice but doing it effectively to ensure your press release gains the attention it deserv<\/span>es (while trying to not pester journalists) is a difficult skill to master. In fact, 63% of PR professionals <\/span><\/span>report<\/span><\/span><\/a> that getting reporters\u2019 attention is a top challenge. In this article, we delve into the art of <\/span><\/span>how to follow up with journalists<\/span><\/span>, exploring <\/span><\/span>best practices<\/span><\/span>, the <\/span><\/span>right channels<\/span><\/span>, and the <\/span><\/span>best PR tools<\/span><\/span> to keep your story at the forefront of <\/span>journalists’ minds.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n\t\t\t

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Best practices for your next follow-up message<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Mastering a follow-up involves striking a balance between persistence and understanding. Employ these techniques to ensure your follow-up approach remains effective without being intrusive:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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1.Wait for the right time:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

After sending your press release, it’s natural to be eager for a response. But as we mentioned, journalists receive numerous pitches every day. So it\u2019s best to assume they can\u2019t respond immediately and you should give them a reasonable amount of time before reaching out again. In terms of email follow-ups, <\/span>resources<\/span><\/a> recommend an average waiting time of two to four days.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, it\u2019s best to keep in mind that journalists\u2019 days are dictated by strict deadlines. So it might not be a good idea to email or phone before 10 a.m. when journalists are planning their day or are close to publishing at the end of the day. This will vary depending on the type of journalist you\u2019re engaging with, so understanding how their schedule works is essential to ensure you reach them at the best time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Personalised Messages:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a general rule, it\u2019s always best to understand who you\u2019re trying to connect to. This will help you tailor your follow-up messages to each and every journalist to show genuine interest and respect for their work as well as increase the likelihood of capturing their attention.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To craft a message that resonates, consider the following strategies:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n