15 things not to say to a journalist

Journalism is a challenging profession that requires talent and tenacity. Unfortunately, not everyone respects the field. Sometimes, executives and brand representatives view reporters only as generators of free advertising. In your interactions with journalists, avoid these questions or comments:

1. “Please publish my press release.”

News stories aren’t just about what your brand is doing, and they can’t come from single sources. Don’t presume that a reporter would copy-and-paste a press release whole.

2. “Write about my company, and I’ll promote your article for free.”

Journalists aren’t interested in your business. They are not looking to promote your company or provide you with free advertising in their publications.

3. “May I publish your story on my company’s blog?”

The content a journalist writes is intended for the publication he or she has been hired to work for. Don’t expect permission to publish one’s work on your blog. You can usually blog about the story, but in a curated fasion, using proper attribution and a link back to the article.

4. “You’re going to include my photos with the article, right?”