Home
>
Public Relations
>
Media Contact Lists and How to Build a Fantastic One

Media Contact Lists and How to Build a Fantastic One

I got the latest issue of Internet Works in the post yesterday and was disappointed to find out that it's going to be the last. As well as having the good taste to run a feature on me last year (!) Internet Works has been a great source of information and ideas for me for the last couple of years and it's demise will leave a gap.

But it is also just another reminder that publications come and go, and their staff do too. But, with new publications emerging, and other titles closing, how do you keep up to date with all the PR opportunities out there?

Here are our Do Your Own PR tips to help you do just that.

1. It sounds basic but do set up a separate contact system for journalists ? even if you've only got two names for your database at the moment.

2. If you're really organised then you can divide this into warm contacts (journalists you'd be happy to call and chat to) and cold contacts ? those you haven't built a relationship with yet. You can then gauge your success as you watch names move from the cold to the warm list.

3. Keep in touch with your media list on a regular basis. That way if emails get bounced or you receive a reply saying "Bilbo Baggins no longer works with Hobbit Publications" you can update your list immediately.

4. If someone does move don't cancel them off with one touch of the delete button. Give their old office a call and find out where they have moved to ? chances are they've moved onto bigger and better things and you can keep in touch. Even if they've suddenly moved over to Pigeon Fanciers Weekly and you know they aren't going to be able to do anything for you at the moment a nice "wish you well" email helps keep that door open for the future.

5. Ask your existing contacts if they can recommend any other journalists that might be good contacts (and that way you can sneakily drop in the referrer's name to warm up your contact).

6. Pay particular attention if journalists contact you. If someone calls from The Express don't assume that you'll be able to get hold of them by calling the Express. Many writers are freelancers whose contact details are guarded fiercely. If you get hold of their contact info treat it with the respect it deserves.

7. I've come across many clients who dealt with press in a former job but now dismiss their past contacts as being "old" or "not in the same area". How do you know until you ask? That freelancer you used to speak to about racing cars might also write about parenting issues ? or, more probably, might know someone else who does. Don't just write off old contacts as dead ones.

Finally, a client recently told me about http://www.worldwidefreelance.com/markets.htm

Although it's aimed at freelancers looking for outlets to sell their work, it's also a great resource and inspiration for publications that may be PR opportunities.

Paula Gardner http://www.doyourownpr.com

Paula Gardner is the author of Get Noticed! How to Boost Your Small Business Profile in 30 Days or Less available from http://www.doyourownpr.com

move in cleaning service Mundelein ..

In The News:

Quick iPhone and Android battery optimization techniques help your device stay powered all day by turning off hidden features that secretly drain power in the background.

Kodiak Driver autonomous truck achieves perfect 98 safety score, matching top human fleets in groundbreaking AI evaluation by Nauto's VERA system.

New 401k catch-up contribution rules in 2026 will change taxes for high earners over 50. Learn how scammers exploit these changes and protect your retirement savings.

Kurt Knutsson's guide covers social media privacy protection through location settings, account privacy controls and two-factor authentication to prevent scams and data breaches.

Revolutionary retinal implant restores central vision in 80% of patients with advanced macular degeneration, offering hope where treatments once only slowed blindness.

Learn how to use passkeys on Windows and Mac computers without cameras or fingerprint readers. Discover secure authentication methods that replace passwords.

Tesla's FSD v14.1.2 update reintroduces Mad Max mode, enabling higher speeds and more frequent lane changes than the standard Hurry profile setting.

A phishing email scam targeting American Express customers shows how cybercriminals use fake urgent messages to steal personal and financial information.

Facebook's new Meta AI feature analyzes your camera roll photos to create polished collages automatically, but requires cloud processing and raises privacy concerns.

A New Jersey teenager filed a major lawsuit against AI/Robotics Venture Strategy 3 Ltd. over ClothOff, an AI tool that created fake nude images from her social media photos.

Microsoft reports Storm-2657 cybercriminals sent phishing emails to 6,000 addresses at 25 universities to steal payroll credentials and redirect funds.

Astronomers have discovered asteroid 2025 SC79, a skyscraper-sized space rock orbiting the sun in just 128 days. the second-fastest known.

The Fox News AI Newsletter delivers the latest developments form the world of artificial intelligence, including the technology's challenges and opportunities.

A cyberattack on SimonMed Imaging exposed personal information of 1.2 million patients, including medical records, financial details and identity papers.

Spotify's managed accounts for kids under 13 now available in at least seven countries, allowing parents to filter and block explicit content and songs.

Friendly text conversations about BBQs and social events can lead to WEEX gold trading scams that target older adults with fake investment opportunities.

California company Skyeports creates self-healing glass spheres from Moon regolith that generate solar power and support plant growth for sustainable lunar living.

Cleafy researchers discover fake VPN streaming app Mobdro Pro that installs Klopatra banking Trojan, giving attackers full control over Android devices.

Police departments across the U.S. and Canada are adopting virtual reality training to better prepare officers for high-pressure, real-world situations.

House Bill 469 would prevent AI systems from owning property, serving as executives, or gaining legal personhood in Ohio under Representative Thaddeus Claggett's proposal.

Public voter records expose retirees' personal details to election scammers who create targeted cons using names, addresses, and voting history data.

Instead of fearing what comes next with artificial intelligence, think outside the box. Here are high-earning AI jobs that don't require a computer science degree.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says polite words like "please" and "thank you" cost millions annually, while direct prompts may improve ChatGPT accuracy by several points.

Chattee Chat and GiMe Chat exposed intimate conversations and photos, revealing users spent up to $18,000 on AI companions before the breach.

New Instagram parental controls allow families to manage teen screen time and content limits through the Family Center with stricter safety settings.

Media Contact Lists and How to Build a Fantastic One

Public Relations