Featured Post from ExpertFile

How To Tick Off Reporters

Dec 10, 2019

3 min

Peter Evans

During media training sessions, I share examples of easy ways to completely tick off a reporter — not as a tutorial — but as a cheeky way to say DO NOT do these things ever if you want to maintain any kind of healthy relationship with media.


Below you will find the ones that bothered me when I worked as a journalist.


Do any of these things, and you’re in for a world of fun.


1. Tell a reporter how to do their job – They love that. Criticize the subjective tone or focus of a story while you’re at it. Bonus points if you can do this while never mentioning that the story was technically 100% accurate.


2. Ask them why they didn’t cover your story – Reporters love justifying how they do their job and the decisions they’ve made — to PR people. If you ask with a little bit of attitude, all the better. They dig that.


3. Only be helpful when you want something from them – Reporters can’t tell when they have an artificial one-way relationship with a PR person. No need to invest a little time in getting to know them and THEIR needs a bit better.


4. Send them a media advisory right before an event – They will never guess that you don’t really want them there so you made it logistically impossible to get there on time without being able to say they weren’t invited.


5. Only communicate with them by email or text – Reporters love nothing more than a controlled message via email with no chance to ask a question. Sometimes (legal implications) you have no choice — but we’re talking about the other 99% of the time. An email is great for communicating tone, too.


6. Send out a media release with a contact who’s not available – It’s a great tactic. Send out a media release and put the person’s name at the bottom for media to contact. But, that person is not available. This screams “credible”.


7. Promise a scoop then hold a news conference – Nothing says “I love you” like a broken promise. And, chances are they communicated the promised scoop to their editor, too, so you now have double the fans in that newsroom.


8. Ban them from anything – If there’s one thing reporters truly love, it’s being punished for doing their jobs. So, ban them from news conferences or events. Lord knows they’d never tell anyone, especially on social media.


9. Tell them how lucky they are to get what they got – It certainly works with spouses — so why wouldn’t it work with reporters, right?


10. Make them go through access to Information – They understand that there is some information that will require access to information — but the true joy comes in having to go through the red tape to get something simple and easy.


11. Ask them if they’d ever come work for you in PR – Nothing says manipulation like false flattery and dangling a carrot. You better be serious.


12. Make them watch other people eat – What is more enjoyable than attending a Chamber luncheon or keynote address and watching people eat while you stand in the corner waiting for the speaker. No need for a media table at all.


13. Hold a news conference with inadequate audio/visual facilities – Today’s reporter has to listen to the speaker, ask questions, video, tweet, etc. all at the same time. Would an audio board and camera riser help? Sure. But, what’s one more thing for them to do at this point?


14. Call their boss to complain about them – This was one of my favourites — when the PR person would go over my head. I can assure you I didn’t hold a grudge and didn’t dig into your organization with a little more rigour.


15. Return their call at 4 p.m. – You’re busy so reporters completely understand if it took you 6 hours to get back to them just to say you can’t help. I’m sure the next time YOU want something, they’ll be equally as gracious.


There are others. There are many others. Feel free to share the ones you know of and perhaps we’ll compile another list in a few months.




Connect with:
Peter Evans

Peter Evans

Co-Founder & CEO

Recognized speaker on expertise marketing, technology and innovation

Media TrendsThought LeadershipMarketingTechnologyInnovation

You might also like...

Check out some other posts from ExpertFile

3 min

Holiday Anxiety Is Real — Here’s How People Can Actually Stay Sane This Season

The holidays promise joy, warmth, and “quality time,” but for many people they also deliver a cocktail of stress, expectations, forced cheer, family politics, and receipts longer than a CVS bill. Between travel chaos, financial pressure, social burnout, and attempting to assemble toys designed by engineers who clearly hate humans, holiday anxiety is soaring. The good news: experts who study mental health, behaviour, and stress management say there are ways to keep your nerves intact — and maybe even enjoy yourself along the way. Why the Holidays Stress People Out (Science Says It’s Not Just You) Adults report higher levels of stress in November and December than almost any other time of year. Common triggers include: Financial expectations: gifts, gatherings, travel, meals, and the sudden belief that every present needs to be “meaningful.” Time pressure: too much to do, too few days on the calendar. Social overload: introverts, extroverts, and “I’m-just-here-for-the-food-verts” all feel it. Family dynamics: every family has at least one person who always “starts something.” Nostalgia vs. reality: the pressure to create a “perfect holiday,” despite the fact that perfect holidays only exist in movies and greeting cards. Experts note that people often skip their routines (sleep, exercise, healthy meals) and then wonder why their stress spikes. The season demands more of people while simultaneously removing their coping mechanisms. Practical Ways to Reduce Holiday Anxiety — Backed by Psychology (and Common Sense) 1. Lower the Bar: “Good Enough” Is a Holiday Gift to Yourself Researchers consistently find that perfectionism fuels anxiety. A store-bought pie, a slightly messy house, or wrapping gifts in whatever paper you can find at 11 p.m. will not derail the season. 2. Set Boundaries (Even With the Loud Relatives) Experts often emphasize that saying “no” is one of the most effective stress-management tools. Fewer events, fewer obligations, fewer emotional landmines. 3. Budget Before You Shop Financial therapists note that anxiety drops when people pre-set limits and stick to them. You don’t need a MasterCard bill that arrives in January carrying the emotional weight of a Greek tragedy. 4. Protect Your Recharge Time A short walk, fresh air, or 10 minutes of solitude is not selfish — it’s psychological maintenance. Mental-health researchers recommend intentionally scheduling downtime before the calendar fills itself. 5. Keep Expectations Realistic Not every moment will be magical. Not every conversation will be smooth. Not every plan will unfold as imagined. Experts say acceptance, not forced positivity, lowers stress significantly. 6. Focus on Meaning, Not Perfection Studies show that people feel calmer when they shift their focus toward connection, gratitude, and small moments rather than elaborate performances of holiday cheer. Holiday Angles for Journalists The psychology behind holiday anxiety — what triggers it and why it’s so universal How family systems and old patterns surface at holiday gatherings The economics of holiday stress — debt, spending pressure, and emotional spending How introverts (and extroverts) navigate holiday overload differently Why holiday nostalgia makes people emotionally sensitive Healthy boundary-setting during family events How immigrant, multicultural, and blended families are reshaping holiday expectations Let's get you connected to an expert. The holiday season is increasingly fast-paced, commercialized, and socially demanding. Many people feel pressure to present a perfect life at a time when burnout, financial strain, and mental-health challenges are higher than ever. Helping audiences understand holiday stress — and giving them practical, research-grounded strategies — can make a measurable difference in their emotional well-being. For journalists covering mental health, family dynamics, holiday culture, or stress-management trends, ExpertFile’s roster of psychologists, counsellors, behavioural scientists, and wellness experts can offer insights, interviews, and real-world advice to support your reporting. Find your expert here: www.expertfile.com

3 min

#ExpertSpotlight: Why Do We Eat Turkey at Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is all about tradition — family gatherings, fall colours, and the annual moment where someone at the table says, “I swear the turkey was bigger last year.” But why this bird? Why not ham, roast beef, or something simpler that doesn't require hours of basting, brining, and YouTube tutorials from chefs with suspiciously perfect kitchens? It turns out, the turkey’s rise to holiday fame is a tale packed with practicality, politics, early marketing, and a few misconceptions that have stuck around longer than the leftovers. Turkey: The Accidental Icon While popular myth suggests the Pilgrims dined on turkey in 1621, historical accounts are vague. They definitely ate wild fowl — which could’ve been turkey, duck, or goose. But practical realities sealed the deal later on: Turkeys were plentiful: In the 1800s, wild turkeys roamed North America in massive numbers. They were big, available, and cheaper to raise than cows or pigs. Big bird = big table: A turkey could feed a crowd without sacrificing dairy-producing animals. Practicality wins again. Seasonal timing: Turkeys matured in the fall, just in time for an annual feast. Nature set the menu before Pinterest ever could. Sarah Josepha Hale: The 19th-Century Queen of Thanksgiving One of the biggest reasons turkey ended up on the national table? A woman named Sarah Josepha Hale — journalist, author, and relentless advocate for making Thanksgiving a national holiday. Hale spent decades campaigning, writing hundreds of letters, and filling her magazine with Thanksgiving recipes (including turkey). When Abraham Lincoln finally proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving in 1863, Hale’s influence helped cement turkey as the centrepiece. In other words: The “Mother of Thanksgiving” was also the Mother of Modern Turkey Marketing. The Power of Tradition (and Leftovers) By the 20th century, turkey was the default. Norman Rockwell painted it. Grocery stores promoted it. Manufacturers created special roasting pans for it. And millions of families quietly wondered whether it was worth the effort. Yet the turkey holds its place because: It symbolizes abundance It satisfies enough people to avoid mutiny Its leftovers power the real Thanksgiving tradition: sandwiches Great Story Angles for Journalists The forgotten role of Sarah Josepha Hale — the woman who shaped a national holiday How turkeys became big business — and how Thanksgiving drives Canada/U.S. poultry economics Turkey myths vs. facts — no, tryptophan alone doesn’t knock you out How immigrant communities reinterpret Thanksgiving menus What the “perfect” turkey says about North American food culture Why It Matters Today Thanksgiving remains a cultural anchor — a moment where millions gather over a shared meal whose main dish has become iconic, symbolic, and occasionally overcooked. Understanding how turkey became the star of the table opens conversations about food history, national identity, environmental sustainability, cultural adaptation, and of course… the annual debate over stuffing inside or outside the bird. For journalists exploring food history, cultural traditions, or holiday trends, culinary experts on ExpertFile can provide deeper context, historical insight, and delicious perspectives to bring your stories to life. Find your expert here: www.expertfile.com

4 min

Lighting the Fires of Memory: The History, Meaning and Modern Significance of Memorial Observances

In the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, special annual days of remembrance bring into focus a simple yet profound truth: societies mark the sacrifice of those who died in military service so that past and future generations will not forget. These observances are layered with history, symbolism and evolving practice. Origins & Historical Development United States – Memorial Day Memorial Day began in the aftermath of the American Civil War. One of the earliest national observances took place on May 30, 1868, when John A. Logan, Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, proclaimed “Decoration Day” to honour the Union dead by decorating their graves. The date was chosen because spring flowers would be in bloom across much of the country. Over time, as the United States engaged in further conflicts, Decoration Day evolved into a broader day of honouring all U.S. military personnel who died in service. In 1971, Congress made Memorial Day a federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. United Kingdom and the Commonwealth – Remembrance Day Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, originated from the end of the First World War and is observed on November 11. It commemorates the armistice signed at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. In Britain and the Commonwealth, the red poppy became the enduring symbol of remembrance, inspired by the poppies of Flanders fields and popularized in the years following the war. Canada – Remembrance Day Canada also observes Remembrance Day on November 11. The observance dates back to post-WWI traditions and was officially adopted by Parliament in 1931. It honours the more than 118,000 Canadians who have made the ultimate sacrifice among the 2.3 million who have served in uniform. Meaning and Symbolism At their core, Memorial Day and Remembrance Day are about memory, sacrifice, duty, and gratitude. They serve as communal rituals: visiting cemeteries and memorials, placing flowers or wreaths, holding moments of silence, and wearing symbols like the poppy. In the United States, the act of decorating graves carried not only personal remembrance but also civic pride—honouring those who laid down their lives for their country. In the United Kingdom and Canada, the poppy remains a powerful visual reminder of both the human cost of war and the enduring hope for peace. Modern Significance These observances offer societies a chance to pause, reflect, and connect past sacrifice with present freedoms and responsibilities. In the United States, Memorial Day has also come to mark the unofficial start of summer. Still, national initiatives such as the National Moment of Remembrance invite Americans to refocus on solemn reflection. In Canada and the United Kingdom, Remembrance Day remains deeply ceremonial, marked by two-minute silences, wreath-layings, and public education about the sacrifices of war. For all three nations, these days foster inter-generational understanding—educating younger people about service, sacrifice, and the peace that followed—while reminding governments and citizens alike of ongoing obligations to veterans. Why It Matters to U.S., British, and Canadian Peoples For Americans, Memorial Day symbolizes how unity, freedom, and democracy have been defended and preserved at great cost. For Britons and Canadians, Remembrance Day binds their shared histories of service in global conflicts, linking national identity with sacrifice and resilience. In Canada especially, the day has evolved into a moment not just of military remembrance, but of reflection on what it means to serve a country and commit to peace. Across all three nations, these observances allow public acknowledgment of loss and courage, while anchoring civic values of duty, freedom, and gratitude. Key Themes and Story Angles Continuity and Change: From Decoration Day to Memorial Day, from Armistice Day to Remembrance Day—how the meaning endures through time. Symbols and Rituals: Poppies, wreaths, silences, and ceremonies as expressions of collective memory. Commercialization vs. Solemnity: Balancing commemoration with modern traditions such as travel and leisure. Generational Awareness: Passing remembrance to younger audiences through schools, media, and veterans’ stories. Veterans and Contemporary Service: Linking remembrance with ongoing commitments to those who serve. Community Connection: How towns and cities mark remembrance through local parades, services, and shared stories. Memorial Day and Remembrance Day are more than calendar observances—they are living rituals of collective gratitude. They invite reflection on what has been given and what must be preserved. For the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, these days stand as enduring reminders of courage, unity, and the price of peace. Connect with our experts about the history, meaning and modern significance of memorial observances: Check out our experts here : www.expertfile.com

View all posts
Powered by