Journalists give you a direct connection to major media outlets, helping you promote your business, build credibility, and get in front of a bigger audience. But first, you need to know how to find a reporter — and then, you need to know how to turn their heads to get what you want.
Knowing how to contact journalists is an in-demand skill. It takes time, effort, and know-how to find journalists in your niche and craft a pitch that gets read. Whether you work for a public relations/PR agency or are trying independently to get your brand some media exposure, there are ways to find journalist contact information yourself and be on your way to media stardom.
Let’s explore the tools and tips you need.
Contents:
Understanding the Media Landscape for Journalists
How Do You Find Journalists?
Identifying the Right Journalists
Tips for Leveraging Journalist and Media Contacts
Using Meltwater to Find Journalists
Understanding the Media Landscape for Journalists
The media ecosystem is vast, especially in our digital climate, where new platforms emerge quickly and often. Outlets like magazines, blogs, podcasts, social media influencers, and large publications each offer a unique way to reach your audience, and each serves a different purpose.
It’s essential to know the nuances of the media landscape so you can find reporters and create effective pitches they’re sure to respond to.
Let’s look at some specifics.
Types of media outlets
Media coverage spans a blend of traditional and digital channels, and the way you pitch them will vary.
| Media Outlet | Audience | Best Practices for Pitches |
|---|---|---|
| Magazines | Highly targeted readership based on niche interests, such as business, tech, or beauty. | Research the publication's various beats and the editors who cover each beat, check editorial calendars, and demonstrate familiarity with the publication's audience. |
| Podcasts | Niche audiences who value in-depth discussions on a specific topic, such as true crime, business, or politics. | Identify the format and theme and offer a fresh perspective on a past theme. |
| Newspapers | Broad audiences who are segmented at the local, national, and international levels, typically catering to a wide range of interests. | Target the appropriate editor (e.g., sports, lifestyle) and provide timely, newsworthy angles. |
| Social Media Influencers | Followers who trust the influencer's recommendations and opinions, with engagement rates varying by platform. | Highlight how your pitch aligns with the influencer's brand and audience while calling attention to previous content the influencer posted. |
| Blogs | Niche communities with specific interests, typically in need of actionable insights or inspiration. | Focus on building personal relationships to create authentic pitches, often with a personal story. |
| Broadcast Media (TV and Radio) | Varying audiences based on local and national reach and delivery format. | Highlight storytelling that fits the program's tone and ensure talking points are clear and brief. |
| Trade Publications | Focused on professionals in specific industries where in-depth expertise is a focus. | Showcase expertise on a subject, including data and examples when possible. |
You may need to dig a few layers deeper into each of these media types to craft a compelling pitch. For example, audiences of YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter can vary widely. Morning TV shows cater to a different audience compared to radio talk shows.
The more you know about the specific channel you’re pitching, the better you can find a journalist and pitch them effectively.
TIP: Learn more about how Meltwater Media Relations can help you reach journalists, simplify your pitches, and generate buzz.
The role and preferences of journalists
Finding journalist contact information is just one of many steps in the process. Once you have their information, you need to know the best way to reach them.
In general, email is the preferred way to make a journalist contact. This means you’ll need a clear subject line and a message that’s engaging yet gets to the point quickly.
You’ll also need to demonstrate knowledge of the outlet’s audience and how your topic aligns with their interests. The journalist shouldn’t need to spend time connecting the dots to see how your pitch is a good fit.
Lastly, you’ll need to tailor your pitch to the journalist you’re contacting. Mass pitches don’t work, so make sure you personalize your message to the publication and topic you want to talk about.
How Do You Find Journalists?
When you know how to find journalists in your niche, you gain a superpower that puts the power of the media in your hands. Let’s review some ways you can find journalists in any media outlet on any topic or niche.
Media databases
Media databases like Meltwater’s journalist database pull journalist contact information from multiple publications and outlets into a single source of truth. Rather than searching for outlets one by one, you can use the database to find reporters by beat. You’ll even see their preferred way to be contacted.
Advanced search filters
Many media databases and platforms like LinkedIn offer advanced search filters so you can dial into specific publications. For example, you can search for journalists or editors by location or company.
On X (formerly known as Twitter), you can search for specific hashtags or accounts. Filters can save you from endless scrolling and mindless clicking, giving you a clearer path to success.
Keyword research
Keyword research tools like Ahrefs, UberSuggest, or Moz let you play detective to see what people are writing about related to your industry. Do a little digging to see where content on your topics is being published and who’s writing about them.
Once you have a name, you can connect with them on social media or get their email address using email finder tools.
Social media
Social media is a treasure trove for finding journalists. Many reporters use X to share their latest articles, ask for sources, or engage with their audience.
Once you find a journalist, follow them on social media to see what they’ve covered in the past. Many journalists will also submit calls for pitches on social media, so you can be among the first to know and get your pitch timing right.
Google Alerts
Google Alerts monitors the media on your behalf. You can set up alerts on relevant keywords, and then get daily emails of content being published on those keywords. You’ll not only see which publications are creating content, but also who’s writing for them. You can also set up alerts for specific journalists to track their latest work.
TIP: Learn more about how modern technologies can help you simplify media relations with our Data-Driven PR Playbook!
Identifying the Right Journalists
A key part of learning how to contact journalists is knowing which journalists fit into your big-picture strategy. As you build your list of media contacts, you should know that not all media coverage is created equal. You’ll have an easier time making the media work for you when you connect with the right reporters.
Ideally, any journalist you pitch should meet the following criteria:
- Covered similar topics in the past
- Has a large social media following
- Is active on the same social channels you use
- Aligns with your brand values and messaging
- Shares your target audience
- Publishes content in your preferred media type (e.g., podcast, article)
- Are actively publishing or creating content
- Has an editorial calendar so you can time your pitches to their needs
- Demonstrates interest in the type of story you’re pitching
It’s a lengthy wish list. But the more boxes you can check, the higher-quality coverage you can expect and the more effective your media mentions will be.
Tips for Leveraging Journalist and Media Contacts
Good media relations can help you land more coverage with less effort. It takes time to build up your list of journalist contacts. But once you have this list, you’ll spend less time searching for journalists and more time enjoying the benefits of being featured in various outlets.
Let’s review a few helpful tips for using your new journalist and media contacts.
Build familiarity with each journalist you pitch
It’s not enough to have a name and job title. Before reaching out, take a moment to get to know the journalist and their work. See what they’ve recently produced and what they’re passionate about. You’ll have an easier time building an authentic connection with them.
Personalize every pitch
Journalists get dozens, even hundreds, of pitches every day. To get yours to stand out, make it personal. Highlight something specific about their work or how your pitch will align with their audience, for example.
Offer value, not just a story
Don’t just pitch a press release. Working with journalists should be a win/win: You get media coverage while they have something special to talk about that will benefit their career. Offer expert insights, data, or a fresh perspective that will ultimately make their job easier.
Time your pitches accordingly
Journalists often work on tight deadlines, so make sure you submit pitches when they’re most likely to be seen and read. If they have an editorial calendar, peek ahead so you can align your pitch with their upcoming needs.
Make your pitch easy to skim
Tight deadlines mean less time for reading every pitch. Capture attention by making your pitch easier to skim. Be clear about the story idea and the most essential details so you can get a quick yes or no.
Share their work
If you do get coverage, there’s no better way to show your appreciation than by sharing it with others. This gives the journalist more visibility, especially if you tag them on social media, which helps to reinforce the relationship.
Keep the relationship going
Building good relationships from the get-go will give you an easier “in” when you need media coverage again. Stay in touch to keep your name top-of-mind and maintain familiarity.
TIP: Download our Data-Driven PR Toolkit for a variety of resources to help you create press releases and pitch faster!
Using Meltwater to Find Journalists
Meltwater’s media database gives you the most comprehensive access to journalists across all media outlets, including blogs, podcasts, newspapers, magazines, social media influencers, and more. Filter your results by industry, niche, or media type, get up-to-date contact information, and craft your pitch, all from a single interface.
Learn more about the journalists who are already writing and publishing on topics you care about. You can gain wider coverage for your press release and measure and analyze the impact your media mentions have on your brand.
Learn more when you request a demo by filling out the form below!
