Don't be the Annoying Salesman: Three Phone Pitch Tips to Avoid Getting the 'Hang Up' from Editors

Think about it; when was the last time you bought something from someone who called and pitched you a product over the phone? We've all been there. We are in the middle of working, eating or sleeping and the phone rings. Out of obligation or to get the phone to stop ringing, you answer it. You say "hello" and the intrusive caller launches into a sales pitch without even the slightest consideration whether or not this is a good time for you to talk, or in most cases, listen to their one-sided monologue about a product or service that you don't need.

Now pretend that you are an editor. You're at your desk working hard to meet a tight deadline and the phone rings. It's another lazy PR professional who didn't do their homework, hasn't read your publication and is pitching you a story that you covered last week. How likely are you going to be to write about them? Not likely.

Editors receive phone calls from "annoying salesmen" everyday. Imagine receiving dozens of phone calls a day from people who are trying to sell you their product or services as a possible story without concern for how it might benefit you and your readers.

1. Avoid calling journalists and editors on deadline days. Many media outlets have consistent deadline days. If a publication comes out on Friday, their deadline day is likely to be Wednesday. So DON'T call on Wednesday! Wait until Thursday or Friday when a journalist is looking for a new story and has the time to talk.

2. Introduce yourself and your pitch in one sentence and then shut up. If an editor answers the phone, introduce yourself and your story in one sentence. For instance, "I am a public relations professional in the Minneapolis area, and I am calling to see if your readers would be interested in an article with 5 times on how to boost their sales with social media."

3. Shut up. Once you have said your one sentence, shut up and let the editor respond. They will either say that they are not interested, or they will ask you for more information. If they ask you for more information, provide another three sentences and then shut up again and allow them to respond. Always give them the courtesy of ending the call if they don't have time to talk to you or if they are not interested.