I think this is a really tricky one, and I'm worried I might sound a tad heartless when I write this. What if you knew from Facebook/twitter/word on the grapevine that a journalist on your pitch-list is having a bad time? Sally doesn't think it helps, Heather does..
Personally, I would continue as normal, for the simple reason that if the journalist is at work - I'd imagine they want to be working. Should you mention their situation? ("Sorry to hear about..."). I suggest not, unless the journalist is a close friend, and no, that doesn't mean one that frequently writes about your clients.
Surely bringing up their troubles would, at best, be intrusive, and at worse, be downright manipulative. I can only recall one occasion of ever using a journalist's personal information in a pitch. It was a wedding-related product for a journalist bride-to-be. Even then I felt just a tad sketchy about it.
like everything in life, it depends on your relationship - in this case with the journalist in question.
one reporter from a major tech pub and i had a pretty good working relationship so most of our emails were banter about liverpool and his team with a bit of pitching thrown in.
ed
Posted by: Ed Lee | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 13:53
Totally down to personal relationships. I wouldn't expect a complete stranger to include much personal commentary in their initial contact with me, but I would if it's someone I've worked with and know really well.
If it meant I stopped getting irrelevant spam PR and got stuff focused on what I want/need, then I'd be ecstatic!
Posted by: Dan Thornton | Monday, 17 March 2008 at 14:34