For people interested in PR, publicity and media coverage: a short guide to behaviour guaranteed to raise the hackles of any reporter you come into contact with

1. How to annoy journalists
@andymturner
Six Sigma Public Relations

2. Be impenetrable
News release: ‘Market leading [usually unheard-of] Company X (Nasdaq:
UComp X08) today proudly announces the beta release of its fault-tolerant
24×7 enterprise solution to optimize system integration…’

3. Be unaware
Of deadline times, editorial style, regular story themes, readership, image
requirements, what’s been written recently, reporter contact preferences. The
universal truth that no journalist welcomes calls that begin:
“Did you receive our news release. You did? So will you be using it?”

4. Be over familiar
Chances are you’ve never met. So keep things business-like and get
straight to the point. It’s probably best not to mention you have a
common interest unless there’s a clear connection to your story pitch.

5. Be behind the news agenda
Pitching an idea connected to something that happened yesterday,
unless it gives the reporter a significant new angle, will be unwelcome.
Hard news aside, editors plan stories using event calendars relevant to
readers. So find out what’s happening, and make a timely pitch.

6. Public or Media Relations
Whichever you are involved in, annoying people isn’t in the job
description.
What did I miss on this short list? Tweet your examples to
@andymturner
Let’s try and tidy up the mess of media relations