If you’re active on social media, you’ve likely come across #journorequest—a popular hashtag that journalists use when seeking experts and case studies. It’s a great way to land media features without having to create pitches or story ideas from scratch. The journalist already has their topic in mind; your job is to show them why you should be included in their article.
Responding to a #journorequest can be a golden opportunity for easy publicity—whether you’re promoting yourself or a PR client. For freelance journalists, it’s also a chance to pitch first-person stories or establish yourself as an expert in a particular field. But with so many responses flooding in, how do you make sure you’re the one who gets chosen?
To be completely honest, journalists usually put out a request when they’re in a bit of a pinch. They might need a niche expert or case study that they can’t find through their usual contacts. Or maybe they’re working on a tight deadline, juggling multiple assignments, and looking for the right person to save them some time. This means that the quicker and more effectively you can respond, the better your chances.
That doesn’t necessarily mean being the first to hit “send”—although being quick can help—but it does mean making sure your response includes everything the journalist needs to see if you’re a fit in just a few seconds.
Top Tips for Responding to #Journorequests
1. Be Clear About Who You Are and How You Can Help
If you’re positioning yourself as an expert, clearly explain what you do, why you’re qualified to comment, and how you can contribute to the story. Be concise but thorough—think of this as your elevator pitch. For example:
"I saw your request for pet experts on the rise of X breed. I’m a dog behavior trainer with XX years of experience, and I’ve seen firsthand the growing demand for help with this breed. Here’s why I think X trend is driving ownership. You can find more about me on my website [link]."
For personal case studies, make sure to include key details like your name, age, location, and relevant context. For instance:
"I saw your request for people who are ‘glad they had a difficult divorce.’ I’m James, a 45-year-old dad from Worcestershire, and I got divorced five years ago. It was tough, but it made us better co-parents to our two children (7 and 9) and improved my negotiation skills, which I now use in my career coaching business."
2. Don’t Force a Fit
It’s important not to stretch your expertise or experience to match a request. If a journalist asks for a cardiologist to discuss a specific heart condition, don’t respond if you’re a holistic nutritionist or a menopause coach—especially if the article isn’t even about menopause. It’s frustrating for journalists to sort through irrelevant responses, and it’s unlikely to earn you a spot in the piece.
This advice extends to personal case studies too. If the journalist asks for a specific age, gender, or location, there’s likely a reason for it—like matching their readers’ demographics. It’s best to pass on this one if you don’t meet the criteria.
3. Offer as much as possible in your first email
If a journalists is asking a question- answer it then and there. Go above and beyond to hep them turn around their piece as quickly as possible.
This will not only help you get featured for the relevant article, but also make you a trusted source in the long term, as the journalist will remember your efficiency and likely contact you again when they need a relevant source.
Where to Find #Journorequests
Pressflow is a free service that posts #journorequests from various platforms in real time.
Simply create your profile and add relevant keywords and you will receive relevant requests as soon as they are posted.
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