There are reviews of hotels, restaurants and movies.
Why isn’t there a review of reporters?
Now there is one!
“Pitching Notes recently launched to create a database of pitching tips and reporter reviews. Their objective is to have a profile for every reporter out there, so every PR pro can benefit from a wide database of pitching notes. How can you help? Add the reporters you’ve worked with, and your tips and notes on the experience,” according to the company.
“The goal: to take our industry to the next level by pooling our knowledge to create more solid, targeted pitches, better PR-journalist relationships and more collaborative relationships among PR professionals. And if the site helps PR pros keep their sanity and feel some solidarity, well, that’s just icing on the cake! Share your tips at www.pitchingnotes.com or follow them on Twitter @pitchingnotes.”
What a fantastic idea! I wish I had thought of this! I hope they make it big. There are some reporters out there who deserve to be outed! I’m thinking of the ones who use info but don’t give credit to the experts. There’s a special place in hell for those people – and now it is online! <g>
Imagine a Yelp! focusing on reporters. I’m all for it!
I don’t know how the owners of this site are planning things, but if it were me, I’d have categories like:
· Attributes quotes to experts
· Responds to expert’s requests for “When will the story be published?
· Doesn’t use cryptic messages like “Thanks for the info” but instead says, “Yes, I will use the info.”
Of course, there are a great many wonderful reporters as well – and they deserve honors, recognition and respect.
But for the few bad apples, well, let’s hear it!
What other suggestions do you have?
Save time
I agree that quotes should always be attributed, but for a reporter to promise to use information is unreasonable. I applaud PR colleagues that provide more information than a reporter will ever use, but stories and angles often change during the process of collecting that information. I’m more concerned that facts are correct, rather than a reporter using everything that I’ve offered.
I think a site like Pitching Notes would best serve public relations specialists by sharing information about reporters — what they cover, how they like to be pitched and a sampling of stories they’ve written. Unless we pay for high-priced media databases, we can spend hours culling such information. It would be great to have in one, easy-to-navigate site; even a discussion board.
I, too, will be watching.