3 best practices for pitching a product review to journalists

As brands compete for earned media attention, knowing how to make your product stand out is key

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Aug 07, 2014, 03:05 ET

NEW YORK, Aug. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers look to product reviews as trustworthy third-party sources to inform their purchase decisions. It is in the best interest of brands to acquire as many positive mentions of their products as possible, but the competition is fierce for the limited vacancies available in publications for product reviews. There are three things that every communications professional should know before pitching a product review to journalists:

Research the publication's editorial cycle. Unless that particular media outlet is focused solely on product reviews, do not pitch a product review if the reporter has recently covered one.
Build a relationship with that reporter by consistently providing them with content they value. Once you reach out for a product review, it will likely get chosen over a competitor's because you've already established a positive rapport.
Consider the benefit to the audience and cater to their interests. Giveaways are one of the best ways to get their attention.

For more insight and discussion on how to land a coveted product review, read the latest article by Marc Prosser, publisher at Fit Small Business, on PR Newswire's Small Business Toolkit: http://bit.ly/1r1eGKS

PR Newswire's Small Business PR Toolkit is a comprehensive resource that provides small businesses and entrepreneurs the tools to develop an affordable public relations and marketing plan that helps generate interest from potential customers, engage with key audiences and grow their businesses. The toolkit features relevant content such as informative white papers, interactive webinars and how-to articles and premium access to educational resources, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of special offers designed specifically for small businesses. To request information on how PR Newswire can help your small business, click here. You can receive updates on new Small Business PR Toolkit content by following @prnsmallbiz on Twitter.

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