Press Release Follow Up Etiquette

You developed your media pitches and press releases, sent it to various media outlets and what's next? A follow up! A follow up after sending a press release is just important as washing your hands after gardening. After you send out your releases, give the media approximately two days to read them and then proceed with a follow up.

When doing your phone call follow-ups:

1. Keep your conversation short and brief - First and foremost, when making phone follow ups, be sure to ask if its a good time to talk. Journalists and Writers are usually busy and are always on the go, therefore know exactly what you are going to say prior to making this phone call. 

2. Don't be pushy, but be assertive- This is self explanatory. When calling be sure and confident in what you're saying.

3. Be interesting and enthusiastic- Don't call to explain exactly what you included in the press release, this approach can become monotonous very quickly and journalists don't have the time. 

4. Always thank them for their time-  Common courtesy plays an important role in PR. Don't forget your manners. 

In these modern times with all the social media and different ways to contact persons via the internet, making phone calls is not usually first on the list for some persons when following up. However, it deems to be very effective so the next time you have to follow up,  pick up the phone and follow the aforementioned etiquette tips! 

Tips for a Telephone Interview

The first step in the interview process after sending out your resume and getting a response is often a phone interview.  The interview could be with a person from human resources who just wants to ask a few general questions, or it could be with the person who is going to be hiring you. It could be five minutes; it could be half an hour.  The point of a preliminary phone interview is for an employer to figure out if they would like to bring you into the office for a face-to-face conversation.

Here are some tips from an article that can help you prepare for a phone interview:

1. Hold your interview in a quiet space

2. Provide details

3. Be prepared

4. Don't be afraid to speak up

5. Avoid rambling

6. Be confident

7. Listen carefully

8. Take your time

9. Don't get flustered

You should prepare for a phone interview the same way you would prepare for a regular interview.  This is your chance to provide your potential employer with information about yourself that will make them want to meet you in person.  As a bonus, phone interviews are a great way to showcase your phone etiquette since it is such an important part of PR.

Do you have any other phone interview tips? Let us know!