How to Contact a News Desk

You’ve got the story. You’ve written the press release. Now make sure you send it properly.

A good story can be made much harder for a busy news desk to assess by a vague subject line, a long introduction or an email that buries the important information.

How to Contact a News Desk shows you the simple, professional way to put your story in front of a newsroom.

Written by journalist turned PR specialist Patrick Barnham MCIPR, this practical guide takes the uncertainty out of that crucial final step.

You’ll discover:

• who to contact when you don’t know the right reporter
• what to put in the email subject line
• how to introduce your story without wasting a journalist’s time
• what to include in the body of the email
• a simple newsroom convention that tells the editor exactly what follows
• what to expect after you press send
• how a published story can help you begin building direct relationships with journalists

Because getting the story right is only part of the job. You also need to know how to put it in front of the people who can publish it.

No complicated pitching system. No lengthy theory. Just straightforward newsroom-informed guidance you can use the next time you have a press release ready to go.

If you’ve got a story to send and you’re wondering, “What exactly do I put in the email?” — this guide gives you the answer.

Get How to Contact a News Desk