In this installment of Things Reporters Hate … it sounds awful of me I know, but dear readers I only share the mistakes of others who pitch their stories to me to help you. So I get this call from a woman and she says the following: “We have this event on Friday and we were hoping you’d mention it in the paper before then.”
And I told her that our paper comes out on Thursday and that we were on deadline that very moment. In fact, we were putting the paper to bed it was going to press in a couple of minutes. So she said:
“But our event is on Friday.”
And I said, “I understand but our paper which comes out on Thursdays, just went to press. As we speak. It was already laid out and everything. They may very well be printing the first copies right now.”
And she replied: “Yes, but you see there was a mistake. And I really need to get something in the paper to tell people about the event.” What she expected me to do at this point I didn’t understand, since I tried to make it clear the paper was gone. She continued. ” I emailed a press release to the other paper. I thought your papers were affiliated. And they called me and told me you weren’t and so now I need to get this in your paper before the event.”
I insisted. “Our paper is already getting printed. There’s nothing I can do. Next time be sure to get your calendar listing in two weeks in advance.”
She said, “But I did. I emailed it two weeks ago, but I sent it to the other paper, thinking you were the same.”
“Well I”m sorry but there’s nothing I can do. I’m really sorry for the confusion.”
“Well don’t be, it was my fault not yours. But I really need to get it in your paper before Friday.”
I use this example, not to make fun–although, yeah, I think it’s kinda funny. But really because it’s a good example of what not to do when trying to get something in the paper. Not because it makes a reporter mad, but because you will be missing out on an opportunity to get your news item published, whereas if you would’ve done it right in the first place you would’ve got that mention.
So here’s the lesson in all that. Newspapers have deadlines. Not because they want you to get things in by a certain time so they can deal with it, but because they have to go to press. That is when they actually print the pages. In fact once the pages are laid out and designed you’d be hard pressed to get someone to add your press release. Especially if it’s a calendar listing. And there is no “Stop the Presses!” moments, unless it’s something monumental. The fact that you are holding a fundraiser in two days doesn’t qualify.
Here’s the other thing. In our town there are two newspapers–the decades established conservative daily and our community alternative newsweekly that is 10 years old. We have differnt looks, different names and different leans, yet some people think we are affiliated in some way. I have no idea why. This does not make a reporter feel good about the caller.
So take away thoughts: Always make sure you get things in time for the news source’s deadline, to make sure you get coverage. And second, never mix up two competing media outlets and you should have smooth sailing working with reporters.