How to find journalists for free
Welcome to Famous in Your Field! Enjoy your free weekly tip to boost your fame factor. (Be sure to sign up in the box on the right to get on The VIP List for free tips and training, delivered straight to your inbox.)
Did you make a resolution to become Famous in Your Field this year? Then check out this cool (and free!) resource!
There’s a site that lets you find and follow journalists on Twitter. Muck Rack lists thousands of journalists on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Quora, Google+, LinkedIn and more who are vetted by a team of editors. (Vetting means that only people who make their primary living as published journalists get listed.) Muck Rack tracks what journalists are saying about the top news of the moment.
Journalists can get listed on Muck Rack and use it for free. Muck Rack has paid options for PR pros and others who want to find journalists. Starting at $99 per month, Muck Rack Pro lets you search by beat, create media lists and get press alerts.
You can also sign up for a free account, which offers plenty of good stuff. Plus, when you sign up for a free account, you’ll get The Muck Rack Daily, a newsletter that tracks what topics have journalists talking.
Find and follow journalists in your geographic area, or those with your dream media outlets.
After signing up for your free account, select the ‘Publications’ tab. You’ll see a screen filled with icons from media outlets around the world – from the Akron-Beacon Journal to Al Jazeera English and Ask Men. There are loads of network TV affiliates, too.
Click on a media outlet icon and you’ll see the journalists who are most active on Twitter. Here’s a screenshot from a Detroit television news crew:
You can also click on a journalist to see a brief bio, the beat (topics) he or she covers, along with the latest tweets.
Next, follow that journalist!
Create a relationship. Read their tweets to see what has their attention. Read their articles, comment and retweet. If they have a blog, visit and leave a comment.
Then, share stories and leads that would be interesting or helpful. Be cool – grow your know, like and trust factor over time.
Your fame boosting assignment:
Create a free account on Muck Rack and find a few journalists to follow. Take a peek at what they’re tweeting and when you’ve got some gold, go ahead and share it!
Once again, you amaze me with your knowledge. What a great resource! Do you mind if I share on my blog soon?
Stephanie! I would be thrilled if you shared it on your blog. You rock, sister!
Thanks so much for sharing this Lori! Another keeper! I’ll definitely check this one out!
Great info Lori! Thanks for laying it all out there!
Lori!!! Great info ~ especially the assignment!
Thanks Lori, I’m already doing a few of these suggestions. But I will book mark this one for the reminder! Great information to use as a resource.
Sarada, Kelly, Laura, Lori and Janine – I appreciate the comment love!
Thanks, Lori! What a great way to build a relationship!
This is great, Lori! You are my number one resource for everything PR. Thank you for keeping us all in the loop!
You got it, Nancy.
Lori, this is good stuff, never heard of Muck Rack until now! Thanks for all your information. You Rock!
Thanks, ma’am! I appreciate that.
Wow, what a great resource! Thanks!
Lori, Thanks for writing Muck Rack! I’m its cofounder. We couldn’t agree more with your tips on building relationships with journalists.
Awesome, Greg! Thanks so much taking the time to comment. Muckrack is an incredible resource for anyone who wants to understand the media and connect with journalists.
How to find journalists for free
There’s a site that lets you find and follow journalists on Twitter. Check out this cool (and free!) resource!