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How to Get Press Access

From Bridget Johnson, for About.com

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Are you representing a media organization?

Say you're working on a freelance article for the Wall Street Journal. When doing phone interviews, you would represent yourself exactly that way. When you need to go to an event in person, you might be able to get where you need to go by explaining you are a freelancer working on a piece about xyz for the WSJ. Have your editor's contact information at hand in case anyone you're dealing with wishes to call and confirm your claim.

If you have done clips for the publication before, you might have a couple of those clips tucked into a notebook. If there is an event where press access is under stricter rules, don't be shy about nicely asking your editor to set it up the access for you. You may be put on a guest list of sorts, and your arrival will be expected by the person in charge. In such a situation, expect to show photo ID to prove you're the right person.

If you're freelancing without a media organization attached, or writing for a blog, go to Step Three!

Index: How to Get Press Access

  1. Do you have a press pass?
  2. Are you representing a media organization?
  3. Are you freelancing or writing for a blog?

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