Working Like We Do

While this daily research is far from our only source of inspo, it helps determine what might be written about each morning, what could be syndicated from sister titles, and what themes might be considered for features later in the day/week/season.

Recently I started receiving a regular newsy research list from a PR, curated as bullet pointed article suggestions with links (each relating back to her clients). For example: ‘The downside to travelling abroad for procedures’, fuelled by this news in Medical Xpress; ‘What causes brain fog during menopause’ inspired by this interview in the Daily Mail; and so on.

Two things struck me. Firstly, that she was thinking – and acting – like we do. And secondly, how surprising it is that pitches like this feel unusual.

I’m not suggesting that you send around daily news and picture research to every digital writer you know, but my takeaway is that it always pays to behave like a journalist when working with one.

Alongside your pitches we love to see sources demonstrating a topic’s relevance. Why is something trending? Who else is talking about it? Is it legit? If you find substantiated research, it pays to share it.