Asking a repoter for a link.

[waqid]

A customer of mine had a new channel come to their place of business today in regards to valentines day (they are florists). They shot a video and wrote an article. Only problem is they only mentioned the business name and no link to the website. Has anyone had experience with reaching out to reporters and asking for a link in this type of a situation. Is a telephone call or email better?

[Keszi]

Hi Waqid,

If I would be in your place, I would go for a telephone call. It is more personal, and I love to create relations with all my "link partners". The closer the connection is with them, the better it will be for future.

Also don't forget, that not placing any links can be caused by the news-channel linking policy.

I hope you will have success with it.

Istvan

[waqid]

Thanks much, i guess ill take a look at their other articles and see if they link to other businesses.

[Keszi]

Also if they link out to others and don't want to link to you, just ask them kindly why? You should get a straight feedback of the site ;-).

But let's hope that would not be an issue.

Istvan

[Vahe.Arabian]

Waqid if you are doing this on behalf of the florist approach them first via email, wait for a couple of days and if they have not replied back to you then give them a call. In the email cc the florist to mention that you are contacting them on their behalf.

The thing is if you first give them a call, they will more than likely be defensive and refuse your request. However if you take the approach of genuinely trying to help the florist, then reporters will more than likely respond to you. Reporters are busy people, so make your email credible and to the point.

Hope this helps,

Vahe

[EGOL]

Have the florist make this call.  The news people don't know you.

[waqid]

Thanks for your feedback everyone. The business owner is going to communicate directly with the reporter since they met while the video was taken.