Senior tutor, Judy Yorke, is a veteran of these as she writes them for the Daily Mirror, Daily Express and BBC Good Food. Here are her suggestions:
- Judy’s first stop is usually a "shout-out". There are sites, e.g. responsesource.com, where you can put out a media request which is seen by PRs that subscribe. (It’s free for journalists). There are other, specific ones e.g. Home4Media that do the same thing.
- Twitter can be useful – use the hashtag #journorequest, as PRs will frequently check this.
- Do your own research! Judy will google for products she thinks could work or look on somewhere like Amazon.
- You then need to get in touch with the companies. You can get samples either from the maker/ manufacturer or a retailer. Bear in mind that if you get them from a retailer, you will need to credit that shop as being the place to get it.
- Some companies have a direct email for media enquiries on their website. We love those that do as it makes it so much easier.
- If they don’t, google who the PR is – that sometimes works but don’t bank on always being able to find out who it is.
- If you’re still stuck, tweet the company or message them on Facebook. Just explain you are a journalist writing a feature and ask who you should contact for media requests.
- You can, of course, ring the company though you often end up talking to customer service staff who don’t really know how to help you.
- When you do get a contact, it makes life much easier for next time - so add them to your address book!
- Be nice to your contacts. Tell them when a feature is in and send them a link if there is one, it will keep them sweet for next time!
