You shouldn't be sending unsolicited press releases in the first place! That is the kind of PR that gives the industry a bad name. If you take the trouble to phone a journalist, and sell in a story that makes news sense to them, and develop a relationship with them in which they know you won't bother them with drivel, then you wouldn't have to follow up anything. But believe me, journalists need PR more than they admit, no matter how superior they pretend to be ...

As a journalist, I agree that we should work with PRs. It's give and take - a journo needs a story, the PRO needs exposure. However, unsolicited press releases waste my time - I much prefer working with those PRs I know and trust, the ones that deliver great material for stories and conduct themselves professionally. Much appreciated!

The short answer is - No - Don't follow up.

Yes - Journo's get annoyed and typically think - Can't you read - They expect you to read their publication as "follow up".

Do - build relationships with journo's but Don't nag them.

Most importantly - DO - ensure that the articles you send journos are 1. News worthy 2. well written 3. appropriate for the target audience.

NOT all journos throw away unsolicited press releases.

Agreed - not all journalists throw away unsolicited press releases. If they are related to my field I file them for future use/reference. What irritates me is when I ask to be contacted or have information sent to me on a regular basis and am ignored.

However, I also do not like follow-up calls. I will contact the PR person if I need anything else. I don't like the pressure of "Did you read it? Can you use it?"

... like journos can afford to give themselves airs and graces - most publications use 90% press release material and then (1) behave as if they're the New York times and (2) don't bother to acknowledge the source (ie: the client)

if the material is decent and you are going to use it, it's no biggie to send a quick email to your fave pr to say so (that said prs shouldn't mass mail the same material to 100 different publications and expect to be taken seriously)