Following is a Q&A with freelance business writer M. Sharon Baker:
By Greg Shemitz
Q: What’s your background as a journalist? What media outlets do you write for?
A: After 15 years as a reporter for daily and weekly newspapers, I have recently become a full-time freelance writer and media relations specialist. I regularly write for my former employer, The Puget Sound Business Journal, as well as a number of other publications. My stories have appeared in newspapers and magazines such as The Seattle Times, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Business Magazine, and Street and Smith’s Sports Business Journal, as well as trade publications such as Hockey Business News, Credit Union Times and CableWorld, among others.
Q: What types of stories are most likely to pique your interest? What kind of material should public relations people be on the lookout for?
A: I love writing about small businesses, and agriculture and food stories are of particular interest. That said, I also like hearing about new interactive technologies, interesting chief executive officers, and people who are making a difference, whether it be by offering services or creating new products. I am interested in the meaning or reasons behind a story. I don’t write new product stories.
Q: What recent projects have given you the most satisfaction or are most reflective of your work?
A: I had a lot of fun writing about the impact getting on “Oprah” had on several small companies, covering the Emerald Downs racetrack, and the Seattle Mariners baseball team from a business perspective, all for the Puget Sound Business Journal; and writing a short piece for Seattle Business on a gaming company called BaffleGab.
Links:
Oprah story: www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2005/11/28/focus1.html
Emerald Downs story: http://seattle.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2006/04/17/focus6.html
Q: What industry publications, Web sites and services do you refer to?
A: I am a regular reader of the Wall Street Journal, journalism site Poynter Online, Gangrey.com, Cyberjournalist.net, PR Newswire, Marketing Sherpa and various writing sites. I do a lot of specific searches using Google, and have used ProfNet to find sources for stories.
Q: What do you like/dislike about dealing with PR people? Any tips you’d like to give them?
A: Since a lot of my business is working with PR people, and sometimes being one, I like them! When I was a regular staffer, I viewed working with PR people as a collaborative effort — cultivating relationships is the name of the game. I was able to break a lot of stories first because I always delivered on my word, kept confidential information to myself, and was upfront and honest. I understand and respect both sides of the PR/journalist equation, and that makes all the difference.
Q: How and when do you prefer to be contacted?
A: E-mail is best, typically in the morning.
Q: What’s the best way to send news releases to you? Mail, e-mail or fax?
A: E-mail, but I prefer not to get press releases, just story ideas, please.
Q: Do you accept photos/graphics/artwork? If so, how do you want to receive them? Any specific formatting requirements?
A: Don’t send art unless I’m specifically working with you. Typically JPEG files, 300 dpi.
M. Sharon Baker
Freelance business writer
P.O. Box 258
Issaquah, WA 98264
E-mail: msharonbaker@hotmail.com
Phone: (425) 890-9105