I contacted several members of the local media, letting them know I knew someone in town with several friends and relatives impacted by the storm Sandy. I figured many people could share a similar story. But I also remembered how often I and former co-workers in years past had searched for similar, local tie-ins to national news and struggled to find such stories in a timely fashion.
Reporters, anchors and producers thanked me but no one called to set up an interview. One producer said, “Love the story but it’s 2 days too late. Thanks anyways!”
A local TV reporter surprised me the next day by asking me if he could interview the person. Why did he surprise me? I imagined if no one set up the story the day I shared it, who would still be interested a day after that? This reporter was in the area and wanted to interview the person as soon as possible. I set up the shoot in about 30 minutes.
Yet another day passed and I was about to sit down to eat a salmon dinner. The phone rang. A reporter from a different station got word I knew someone whose family was impacted by the storm. She too was in the area and would interview the person as soon as possible. I actually found her a different person to interview.
Consider this: On the day I pitch the story, no one is interested. In fact, one producer says my idea is too late. However two days later and supposedly four days too late, a reporter is still calling for an interview I figured from the beginning might be a dime a dozen.
This proves nothing other than there’s no rhyme or reason how the media might react to your pitch. But count on this: When journalists want your story, they want it ASAP.