Working with business journalists

Dennis Miller, the business editor of the Chicago Sun-Times, offered some suggestions on working with people on the business desk to Marketing Sherpa.

His ideas included:

#1. Know whom to call. “Read the stories, note the bylines so you know who covers what beats.�

#2. Know when to call. Daily newspaper headlines are different from weekly ones, and reporters’ deadlines are different from editor’s deadlines. “When you pitch by phone or email, ask what time of day, day of week is best for a pitch that’s breaking news or features.�

#3. Know what to call with. Miller emphasizes the range of articles that area newspapers run: “A Sun-Times story is different from a Crain’s story or a Tribune story, and all are different from a WSJ story.� Note the section’s departments to find the appropriate space for your story.

#4. Know when to retreat. Their editors may not be interested in another story on the same tired topic or the subject may just not resonate with the editor. “Don’t try to argue him into accepting the story.�

Read more here, including some tips from the tech columnist of the Sun-Times.