How to Follow Up with Busy People

We've all experienced the feeling of wanting to follow up with a professional, whether it is about that internship position you've been gunning for or to schedule an informational interview. We even experience it when working with the media, trying to contact a journalist regarding a pitch we emailed earlier that day. It can get disappointing when we don’t hear back from a contact, but don’t get discouraged too quickly! As we all know, PR pros are busy so here are a few easy ways to effectively follow up with people who have little time to spare:

• Effective Subject Line. First things first, you need to gain their attention with a subject line that will stand out. They likely get tons of emails each day, so you don’t want yours to get lost in the crowd.
• Introduce yourself. Be sure to give an introduction (or reintroduce yourself) so they know who their reading an email from. It’s also a great place to mention a mutual contact or referral.
• Keep it Short. Industry professionals don’t have time to read a long and detailed email. Effectively getting your point across quickly with the least amount of work is essential. Cover your bases of why, what and why. 
• Do Your Homework. Do a quick Google search before sending your email. Mentioning an award they received recently or a new client they landed shows that you put in the effort. Chances are they’ll be more likely to get back to you.  
• Know Your Boundary. Of course it’s encouraged to send a follow up email when trying to contact a busy professional. But there comes a point when you need to realize that, unfortunately, they likely will not get back to you.

Lastly, if you plan in sending a follow up email, be sure to give them enough time respond. That being said, you also want to contact them again in a timely manner. Remember, don’t take it personally when your emails aren't immediately responded to, PR pros have a lot on their plate.

Media Pitching 101

Media pitching is a critical part of a PR professional's career. Becoming a pitching expert, however, is not easy. The reality is that we are competing in a crowded marketplace, and won't always be playing with a winning hand. The best way to become successful at pitching is to recognize your boundaries, develop best practices and solid relationships, and never give up. 

Here are some tips for creating successful media pitches:

Creating Content

• Tie Into Media Agenda
• Link To Trends 
• Exploit Pop Culture
• Use A Holiday Angle
• Make It Unique

Make The Pitch

• Reference Earlier Work 
• Find A Connection
• Make it Personal 

Follow Up

• Email First, Then Call
• Never Say "Did You Get It?"

Do you have any tips to make your pitch stand out? We want to know!

To Follow Up or To Not Follow Up

As a last semester senior it is job search time! As I mail, email and submit resumes and cover letters left and right, I have been wondering if it is appropriate to follow up after sending a resume. So I took to the Internet to conduct some research on whether or not I should follow up with employers after I submit a resume.

The answer? It depends. For example, if a job posting or a contact says do not follow up, well then you can guess what not to do. If a company is receiving hundreds of cover letters, it may be a good way to stand out from other candidates showing your desire for the job.

Once you determine whether or not it is appropriate, how do you follow up? My research found employers or hiring managers thought an email or handwritten note was the best option. Calling was thought to be too pushy or intrusive.

What do you write in a follow up note?

• If you have a specific contact you submitted a resume to, then write your note to this person. If not, do not address your letter to anyone.
• Tell the person you submitted the resume and remind your contact when you submitted it and what position you are applying for.
• Express your interest in working at the company or organization. Briefly explain why you are interested and what skills would make you an ideal candidate.
• Ask if he or she needs any additional materials for your consideration and remind him or her how you can be contacted.
• Thank the contact for his or her consideration and remind the person how you can be contacted.

There are other things you can write in a follow up letter. So start researching some options before you send a letter! A great site to use is: http://jobsearch.about.com/.