A business editor talking to his readers

Most business editors at daily newspapers get the requests by the dozen on a daily basis: How do I get a story about my company in your business section?

Grag Kratz, business editor of the Deseret Morning News in Salt Lake City, tried to lower the number of those requests by explaining to his readers in this morning’s column what’s the best way to get information in the paper.

Kratz wrote, “Before I answer, you should know that I receive between 300 and 500 e-mails, faxes and letters each week. That means my attention span is necessarily short for each release I receive.

“If you are opening a new business, moving your shop to a new location or planning a seminar or other event, your best bet for getting it noticed is to write a couple paragraphs with the pertinent details — who, what, where, when and why. Include a contact name and phone number and send it to me by e-mail, or fax it to 801-237-2526. If your information is time-sensitive, please get it to me two weeks prior to the event in question.

“Most of the items I receive in this way end up in our business briefs columns. If one deals with a business or issue that I think is interesting, unique or unusual enough, it may end up as a story. So keep the news coming!”

Kratz also gave a list of his reporters and what beats they cover. This is something that most business editors probably should do on a regular basis.