Financial Times Reporter Stacy-Marie Ishmael was recently interviewed by Mark Ragan, CEO of Ragan Communications and she provided some interesting insights into how and why she uses Twitter, her advice for PR pros, and what irks every journalist. Highlights include:
How a Financial Times reporter uses Twitter / Social Media
o Keeps an eye on markets she covers
o Listens to what people in her coverage area are talking about
o Asks questions / crowd sources
How a PR pro should interact with reporters on Twitter / Social Media
o Humanize your client
o Be a useful contact: be responsive and available
o Highlight relevant information
o Know what the reporter covers
o Understand the publication’s focus
o Always provide clear and accurate contact information
o Use it for crisis communication: don’t go silent
A reporter’s pet peeves
o Not identifying yourself as a PR person
o Not being relevant
o Not having contact information
o Not responding to requests