Should reporters/bloggers create public profiles on the Web for PR people? I think they should and here’s why. No PR person or technology can keep track of a reporters/bloggers whereabouts better than that particular reporter or blogger. I’ve also been hearing from many bloggers/journalists about how irritated they are by the steady barrage of irrelevant pitches/press releases they receive from PR people. So why not do something about it? Reporters/bloggers should create a profile that provides details on what they cover, their interests, their publication/blog, how they like to be contacted, any PR pet peeves, and latest articles? At a minimum it just might cut down on some of the misdirected and irrelevant pitching and press releases.

I’ve expanded media profiles on Newsvetter to help reporters/bloggers do this. I’ve also created a badge that reporters/bloggers can stick on their Web sites to direct people to their public media profiles. From the profile, PR people can also take it a step further and submit vetted news to that particular reporter/blogger. Detailed instructions follow:

Create/log-in to your Newsvetter account and complete the news media profile. Click the "contact badge" tab and copy the code in the box and stick it on your blog/website. The badge directs people to your "public" news media profile on Newsvetter and from there they can send you tips/ideas using the Newsvetter vetting process. If you don't have a place for the badge you can still fill out the profile and direct PR people there in an email signature or link from your website/blog.