Each month we have been reaching out to journalists and media professionals to chat with them about their experiences in the industry. For our latest edition of ‘Questions for Journalists’ we chatted with Justin Kozuch, a reporter covering startups, mobile, and Canadian tech news for BetaKit.
Justin Kozuch
Technology Reporter, BetaKit
@jkozuch
What platform do you prefer to be pitched on?
I prefer to be pitched over email, although I’m not opposed to getting a quick pitch on Twitter! If you’re reading this and have a great mobile startup story you’d like to get out, email me at [email protected] or DM me on Twitter @jkozuch. You can also send me your scoops securely at http://keybase.io/jkozuch.
What story are you most proud of?
The story I’m most proud of is one I recently wrote about Uber and their rally at City Hall. Toronto’s transportation framework is complex and encompasses many different modes, one of the largest of which is taxis. Ride-sharing is quickly becoming a part of that framework and it’s important that this method of personal transportation is properly regulated, given the changing landscape.
What advice do you have for PR professionals about working with journalists?
I receive quite a few pitches on a daily basis; I’ve read some great ones and some not-so-great ones.
- Target your pitch properly.I’m a tech writer with a focus on mobile. Pitching me about your health food product line isn’t relevant to my audience.
- Check ur spelling and all of the grammar (see what I did there?).There’s nothing that turns me off quicker than poorly-written pitches. Check, check again and re-check before hitting the send button. Get a second set of eyes on it. I keep a copy of CP Style on my desk and use it if I’m unsure. Every PR practitioner should have a copy within reach.
- Make it short and sweet.I don’t have time to read 5 paragraphs about your company’s history. Give me the salient points about your company, what you’re doing and why it’s unique, and you’re likely to get a response from me.
Thanks, Justin!
Have a story you would like to share? Let us know on Twitter at @PRTheAgency or in the comment section below!
Header Image Credit: Niclas / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0
