For PRs, what's more important: A journalism degree or a psychology degree?
This is an interview I did today with James Galvin from Telum Media, a company which keeps the PR industry up to date with changes in the media world. It's about my new book, 101 Ways to Connect With Modern Newsrooms.
Question #4 addresses whether a journalism degree or psychology degree is more important for PRs.
1) Can you tell us about “101 ways to connect with the newsrooms?”
The book is a journey into the heads of journalists and editors, how they make decisions in a fast-moving environment, and the things which influence the way they do their work, both inside and outside the newsroom.
Understanding how a journalist works and what they need goes a long way towards creating the perfect pitch, or at least improves the chances of having an idea published.
So I've tried to break things down, offer up formulas, and suggest processes which will help meet the demands of modern audiences.
2) What was it that made you realise this book was necessary for PRs in Australia?
Two years ago, I wrote a university course about Innovation in Modern Newsrooms. It was for journalism students, and it was designed to help lecturers and academics keep pace with ways the news cycle meets the demands of contemporary audiences.
It was then that I thought PRs might face similar challenges. Without being rude, some of the press releases we receive are evidence of that. I live and breathe newsroom change, and I find it difficult to keep up. So how is it that someone who has been out of the newsroom for a year or more will keep up? It's nigh impossible.
Journalists are more than happy to collaborate when it comes to new storytelling techniques, new platforms and new audiences. But they need to be sure there is a deep level of understanding from those they are working with. This book helps get the basics right.
3) What would be your top three tips for PRs trying to connect with the newsroom?
- Re-invent the press release. A generic 600-word block of text won't grab anybody's attention anymore.
- Find "The Thing" which will grab a journalist's attention. Modern reporters are taught that they have about three seconds to grab the attention of readers. Journalists get more than 300 emails a day, so you've got about the same timeframe to grab theirs.
- Know the audience, and tailor the pitch to the audience.
4) Is having a background in journalism a major advantage for a PR?
It helps, but I don't think it's imperative. It's far more important to understand audiences, what they read and watch, how they consume news, and the psychology behind those decisions. An understanding of human behaviour, and thought patterns and processes, is critical. So maybe a psychology degree is more important these days.
5) Can we expect to receive any more book releases from you in the next few years?
I hope so. I'll wipe the sweat from my brow first. I'd like to do a similar thing for the real estate community, and perhaps small business. First though, we've got some exciting projects on the horizon at Fairfax Media that I'm looking forward to getting my teeth into.
6) Where do you get your news from?
I'm a compulsive consumer. Television, radio, digital, the next door neighbour, Ted talks, blogs, I don't care where it comes from - I have a burning desire to know what's going on.
7) Favourite blog of online influencer?
I'm not sure there's a particular influencer I go to. Rather, I think to have a true understanding of futurism, or what I recently heard described as "now-ism", it is best to consume a broad collection of thoughts. My main goal is to innovate to a point we're the best we can be on the platforms available to us. There is no "best answer", nor is there a perfect news site. I like to look at what everybody is doing, take the best bits, and see what I can achieve within the limitations I have - internally, externally, and personally.
Grab the book a copy of the book for AUD$24.99 here.
Sales Strategy Consultant | Independent Consultant | VP, Global Sales
8yCurmudgeon. Autocorrect...
Sales Strategy Consultant | Independent Consultant | VP, Global Sales
8yInteresting. However journalists are not editors- you're confusing the two. PR pitches to editors. They are curmudgeonly gatekeepers who also have to worry about the bottom line in advertising revenue and readership. Not that ALL articles are tied to an ad the brand company may or may not buy in the publication etc... But.... And journalists became journalists because THEY ABSOLUTELY question research and dig dig dig to understand who what when where how and why. Their inquisitive nature makes them more than up to task to fashion a press release to persuade and entice. No psych major or journalist though, no matter how degreed or pedigreed can penetrate the editorial line without a marketing budget and sales experience. And in my experience psych majors don't like to sell.
Lecturer at Trust academy college and SPECISS College
8yMENTAL CAPABILITY- what real counts is not what you have achieved because there are so many people who have amassed these Degrees but they lack charisma to champion what is expected at that level, yet there are some who can simply articulate the activity because they have the skill and passion. Their aptitude gives them an edge over others You find there people who are hungry to see their objectives coming to realization.
Mom to four fur kids. Career stuff is here. Conversation's better than tactical text. I am who I am. No embellishment.
8yAristotle wrote it best. McLuhan said the medium is the message. Put them together and win.
Digital Content Manager at Fieldfisher
8y'Journalists are more than happy to collaborate when it comes to new storytelling techniques, new platforms and new audiences. But they need to be sure there is a deep level of understanding from those they are working with.' I agree completely with this, although I'd add that understanding needs to be mutual. From my experience it's still very much a culture of 'us and them' and there are still plenty negative preconceptions about PRs - some of them completely unfounded and others justified. What's necessary going forward is for journos and PRs to foster more robust relationships by regarding each other as key members of an overarching team. I believe that one's academic discipline - be it Psychology or Journalism - is by the by. What it boils down to essentially is an effective partnership and a mutual understanding between the two. I have to question any PR professional or agency that doesn't move with the times and sticks to archaic ways of delivering information. Surely knowing your audience and meeting their demands is one of the very first things you'd consider when setting the objectives of your campaign from the outset?