Catapult Public Relations

Respond Promptly.

Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:01:02 +0000

Always call back the press promptly. even if you cannot answer their question immediately. Let them know you will try to find the needed information or contact. By responding quickly and respecting deadlines, you will become a reliable source and increase the likelihood that a story will run.

www.catapultpr-ir.com

Help your Editor

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:26:56 +0000

Give reporters a clear story idea that you know their readers (and editor) will like. Think of yourself as their editor before you pitch them and you'll stand a greater chance of getting your idea accepted.

Hold the Attachments

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 18:39:01 +0000

The proliferation of computer viruses and worms has made everyone leery of opening email attachments, even if the message is from someone they know. Some magazines have installed software that automatically removes attachments before forwarding the message to the intended recipient, but more often than not the entire email will simply be deleted. What that means for PR professionals is that they should always paste their releases in the body of their emails when sending them out to reporters. If there's an image to go with the release, let them know that artwork is available upon request.

More is better!

Wed, 03 Jun 2009 01:27:27 +0000

Don't assume that reporters (or even analysts) will know and understand basic facts about your industry, company or product/service. Oftentimes, they know less about the topic at hand than you think! It's good practice to always "start at the beginning" by providing a quick snapshot of your company and product overview while incorporating your key positioning messages throughout the discussion. Better to error on the side of repeating information they may know (in which case, they'll tell you) versus assuming they understand. It can make the difference not only in the coverage results you get, but also help to position you as a potential source they can call on in the future.

Competition is Good!

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 23:49:15 +0000

Many company execs make the mistake of saying “We don’t have any competitors.” If you don’t have any competitors you either aren’t being honest or you don’t have a market for your product. The willingness to identify who your competitors are gives you credibility and builds trust.

Let the press know how good you really are

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:06:49 +0000

First, recognize that people want to know about your accomplishments. Second, understand that getting the word out about your recognition helps to build your credibility.

Avoid Buzzwords, Hype and Superlatives

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:17:20 +0000

Journalists and analysts alike have limited patience with news releases and pitches that are filled with jargon and outlandish claims. Some journalists even use a filter to detect and weed out releases that have too many buzzwords. To keep your release from being zapped, here are some words to avoid: end-to-end, customer-centric, nimble, robust, Web-centric, leading edge, revolutionary, state of the art, future proof and mission critical. The best advice? Try and write like a journalist. Use plain English to describe your product or service and the benefits it provides. Editors appreciate this approach and are much more likely to use your release when it's written in a straightforward fashion.

Media Training 101

Tue, 13 May 2008 23:39:29 +0000

Preparation is key to any successful presentation or sales call. When it comes to PR, media training is an essential tool to prepare executives and other employees to handle press calls, briefings or tours. A PR pro will develop messaging topics and potential questions that may be asked during a briefing to increase the likelihood that a positive, "on-message" story will appear. It also can help prevent executives from being caught off-guard by probing questions a determined reporter might ask. Media training, even for the most seasoned executives, can help ensure that a polished, complete story is presented to the press.