In plain English
What does media follow-up mean?
A follow-up is a brief, secondary message sent to a journalist a few days after an initial pitch or release to gauge interest, offer additional information, or ask if they need anything to move forward with a story. Because reporters receive dozens of pitches daily, an initial email is often missed rather than ignored, making a courteous follow-up a normal and expected part of media relations.
Effective follow-ups add value rather than simply asking "did you see this," for example by offering a new data point, an interview slot, or an exclusive angle, and they respect a clear limit, typically no more than one or two attempts before moving on.
Example
Hi Jamie — following up in case this got buried. Happy to arrange a quick call with our CTO this week if useful for your piece.
Use it well
Three practical tips
- 01
Wait three to five business days before the first follow-up.
- 02
Add new value in each follow-up rather than repeating the same message.
- 03
Stop after one or two follow-ups to avoid damaging the relationship.
Knowledge check
Did it stick?
What makes an effective follow-up email to a journalist?
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