Before sending your next pitch, use our test to determine if you have what it takes to get your story placed. Become a media darling; learn the 10 Top PR do's when pitching and working with the press.

Question #1
When preparing to work with a reporter the first thing you do is:

1. call him/her to ask what kind of beat he covers
2. write a note about your announcement and e-mail him
3. read a few of his/her most recent articles and review the publication

Question #2
You have finished writing your press release and are ready to distribute it to the press. Do you:

1. write "release" on the subject line and send the reporter a personal note in an e-mail with the release attached.
2. call the reporter to let him/her know that you have faxed a release and proceed to read some of the release's highlights.
3. write a brief e-mail with some of the highlights about the news and paste the release at the bottom of the message.

Question #3
When sending a release to a particular publication, do you:

1. e-mail it to the editor of the section where you would like to see your news covered?
2. email it to several reporters and editors within the publication to ensure that someone comes across it?
3. e-mail it to both the reporter and editor of the section in which you would like to see it covered?

Question #4
Your company has just moved to a new office in Scottsdale and you have hired a new VP of Sales. A release has been written to announce the information. After you send it to the press via e-mail do you:

1. wait a day or two and call to follow-up to see if they received the release.
2. send another e-mail with the release attached in case they missed it the first time.
3. monitor the papers to see if they covered the announcement in the appropriate section.

Question #5
The best way to deliver news to the print media is:

1. via fax.
2. with a call.
3. via e-mail.

Question #6
The most important thing to remember when pitching a reporter is:

1. any information that could help you personalize your e-mail.
2. his position within the organization.
3. his/her deadline.

Question #7
Reporter's biggest pet peeve when dealing with PR people is:

1. releases with typos.
2. lack of professionalism when calling or e-mailing.
3. ignorance about their publication or beat.

Question #8
When making a decision about when to approach a particular reporter with your announcement, is the first thing you consider:

1. the time of day
2. the next time you will have a chance to see him/her in person
3. whether he/she may be finishing a story and working under deadline

Question #9
You have an announcement going out and are still waiting to learn which of your customers will be available for reference purposes. Do you:

1. include the names of the potential references in your e-mail and mention in parenthesis that these may or may not be available for a quote
2. switch the name of the client for a pseudonym until you know if you will be able to use them as references
3. don't mention any specific clients or programs until you have the green light in their availability as references

Question #10
The most important thing you can do in order to be effective when pitching is:

1. be persistent in your follow-up and approach. Persistency pays!
2. include as much information possible in your first e-mail to the reporter.
3. do your homework and learn how the reporter likes to receive news and be followed-up with

Scores

All Cs: You have aced the test. Call your boss and ask for a raise. Tell your clients you got 100 on the BPS (Buzz Pitching Strategies) standardized test. Knowing that the press prefers to receive news via e-mail; that doing your homework and knowing the publication's deadlines are the golden rules of pitching; and that it is best to send your release to both the reporter and editor, makes you a true media darling. Congrats and keep up the good work. You give all of us in the field a good name.

Nine to Five Cs: Ok, so you have some work to do before you can claim your darling status. As long as you remember not to send your release to multiple reporters across the publication, that following-up via phone should only be reserved for important press releases (e.g. earning milestones, marquee client wins etc), and that pasting the release into the text of the message is better than attaching it, you will be well on your way to becoming the media darling you always wanted to be.

Four to Zero Cs: I just hung up the phone with 911; they are coming to rescue you and introduce you to pitching in post dot-bomb times; where the stakes are high, but reporting personnel and budget is limited. If your take away from the quiz was just one, I would say make it doing your homework prior to pitching. Learn the publication and what it covers. Find out the names of the appropriate editor and reporter by calling an assistant and always remember to ask for deadlines. Don't promise references that you can't deliver and most importantly, keep your e-mail pitch concise and to the point. Keeping these easy do's in mind will not only result in catapulting you to darling status, it will also make you more effective when pitching.

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