How Media Professionals Can Find the Perfect Sources

For journalists and media professionals, finding the right expert quickly can be a challenge, especially on tight deadlines. That’s where platforms like Qwoted come in, offering tools to connect journalists with the perfect sources for their stories.

We asked Vannyda Thach, leader of the Media Success team at Qwoted, some questions about her journey in the industry, how the platform supports media professionals, and her top tips for maximizing its potential. Here’s what she had to share.

1. Can you briefly introduce yourself and what you do for those who may not be familiar with your work at Qwoted?

I lead the Media Success team, where we’re dedicated to supporting all members of the media including journalists, freelancers, podcasters, producers and more. Our goal is to assist and connect them with the perfect experts for their stories or shows. Whether they’re up against a tight deadline or still learning how to navigate the platform, they can always lean on us for guided support.

2. What inspired you to get started in your field, and what continues to drive your passion?

I actually got my degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations with the intention of staying in PR because I liked how broad the industry is. You get the opportunity to execute campaigns, coordinate events, collaborate with influencers, and of course, work with the media—all the things you see in the movies. As I went along my PR journey, I realized my favorite aspect was building relationships with journalists and being their go-to whenever they needed help. It was so fulfilling and fun to celebrate every time I got press coverage for my clients. While securing earned media placements was always the goal, I realized that building genuine connections and relationships with reporters and ultimately being a helpful resource to them mattered the most to me, which ties back to what I get to do at Qwoted every day.

3. What is Qwoted and why should media professionals be on Qwoted?

Qwoted is a free platform and network connecting media professionals with the experts, brands, and PRs they need for their stories. Every journalist should sign up for Qwoted—and here’s why:

1. You’ll have tons of resources at your fingertips, like our network of experts, product profiles, a press release database, and a global jobs board. You can also share your work to get more exposure and find new story ideas by checking out experts’ insights—-there’s a lot to dive into and explore!
2. Connecting with quality sources in our network is quick and easy, thanks to our system that uses tech and Natural Language Processing to match media with the right experts. Plus, our team is always here to provide extra support, conducting research and outreach on your behalf whenever you need it. Here's an interview we did with Vannyda and her colleague, Shelby:

4. What are the top 3-5 tips you’d give a media professional who is looking to use Qwoted? What should they know about developing their profile? 

1. When submitting a request to the network, start with the type of expert you’re looking for, mention your publication, and include as many details about the piece as you can. This will help us match you with the right experts and increase the quality and quantity of pitches you receive.
2. In your media profile, be sure to add your headshot, bio, beats, and the publications you’ve written for so people can get to know you better.
3. Engaging with PR and expert users is a great way to boost the overall performance of your requests across our network. Even occasional responses to users can improve your profile's visibility and help us bring more eyeballs and engagement to your requests.

5. Can you share a success story or a favorite moment from work at Qwoted with media professionals that really stands out to you?

My favorite stories usually come from those really niche requests from journalists. The more specific a request is, the more challenging it can be to fill, but it’s so rewarding when we hit the nail on the head. I remember when I first joined the Qwoted team, I was in touch with a writer who needed someone to talk about the history of Bloody Mary. We shared the request on our network, and, lo and behold, the perfect folklore expert came through! It was awesome to see how much our network has grown with experts across so many niche fields.

6. Why do you think Qwoted is ahead of the journalism industry?

We equip writers with a variety of tools to tackle issues they face in the journalism world. To name a few, they can screen pitches to flag AI-generated responses, access geolocation data to see where pitchers are based, and mute or flag irrelevant or inappropriate users and pitches for our team to review. This way, we can take necessary action and ensure users are following our community guidelines.

We’re also always developing new features to make their lives easier—and we consistently rely on user feedback to keep improving!

7. How can people connect with you or learn more about Qwoted?

 Sign up for free here.

Get in touch with our team at [email protected] or feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected] or https://www.linkedin.com/in/vannydathach/.

We host Media Advisory Board meetings quarterly, which are a great opportunity to meet us virtually and hear the latest about Qwoted. You may also check out our FAQs and help articles in our Resource Center.

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