The Washington Post became the latest news outlet to announce layoffs last week on the heels of other outlets like CNN, Gannett, NBC News and Vox. Layoffs can be a sensitive moment so here are a few best practices to keep in mind—courtesy of our Health Media Insights newsletter team— if you’re planning to reach out to reporters soon.
- Do your due diligence. Make sure whoever you are pitching isn’t at an outlet that recently experienced layoffs. If the reporter or their colleagues have been impacted, consider the tone and timing of your pitch.
- Update your press list. Now is also a good time to look through your press list to see if any reporters you frequently engage with have been laid off and update their contact information as necessary.
- Keep the relationship warm. For any affected reporters, keep an eye out for their next move and reach out to congratulate them if or when they land a new media role. In the meantime, reporters may take advantage of freelance opportunities. In a recent issue of Health Insights, we shared some helpful tips and tricks for engaging freelancers in a meaningful way.
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