Journalist Encounter - Lucy McGuire, Features Writer (women's interest/travel/lifestyle)
This month Sublime PR was delighted to interview Lucy McGuire, features writer for a number of women's weeklies, real-life mags, travel and lifestyle wesbites. Lucy has a lot of experience in journalism and we asked her lots of questions on her experience of PRs, her thoughts on what is hot at the moment and we also found out a little bit more about her passions and personal interests...
Sublime PR: What is your professional job title?
Lucy: Freelance feature writer.
Sublime PR: What magazines do you write for?
Lucy: Weekly real-life women's magazines as well as travel and lifestyle websites.
Sublime PR: What is your PR pet peeve?
Lucy: Being sent press releases multiple times that are not relevant to my work.
Sublime PR: Do you prefer a phone pitch from PRs or an email?
Lucy: Email.
Sublime PR: How many emails and/or phone calls do you receive from PRs every day?
Lucy: Dozens!
Sublime PR: How do you read the news - via newspapers, TV, radio or online?
Lucy: All three, but mainly online during the week and newspapers at the weekend.
Sublime PR: What newspapers/magazines do you read?
Lucy: The Guardian, The Times, The i and The Sun. My favourite magazines are Cosmopolitan, Company, Red, Elle, Marie Claire and Grazia. I also read The Sunday Times Travel and Conde Nast Traveller.
Sublime PR: Are you a regular tweeter and can PRs contact you via Twitter?
Lucy: Yes, PRs can tweet me on @LucyAMcGuire
Sublime PR: What is your top tip for businesses/PRs wanting to get coverage?
Lucy: Always be familiar with the publication you're pitching to and have an idea of how your product or story is relevant.
Sublime PR: What is really grabbing your attention in the industry at the moment?
Lucy: The unknown writers who make a name for themselves simply through edgy and interesting blogs.
Sublime PR: How important is a good image/video for a news story?
Lucy: Photos are essential for grabbing interest and video journalism skills are like gold dust - 'vlogging' seems to be taking off.
Sublime PR: What are your passions, interests or hobbies?
Lucy: I love cooking and reviewing all sorts of wonderful bars and restaurants which are always popping up in London. I also enjoy keeping fit by running, doing pilates, Bikram or yoga. My vice is escaping with a travel magazine and dreaming of my next travel destination. I've just come back from Malaysia and have totally fallen in love with the Asian culture and cuisine.
Many thanks to Lucy for her insight, you can visit her website for more information: www.LucyMcGuire.com
