Dear GiGi: So I’ve developed a press list and I’ve crafted my pitch. I’m ready to get my message out there and try to get some media attention, but when’s the best time to contact most journalists?

Dear Joe,

In today’s 24/7 media world, competing forces vie for our attention every minute of every day. Journalists are no exception, so you’re absolutely right to think about timing your outreach strategically.

Monday can be tough since many reporters, like the rest of us, spend the first few hours of their day downing coffee and catching up on everything they missed over the weekend. Don’t rule it out, but consider the alternatives. Friday, on the other hand, is the worst. Journos are filing final stories for the week, tying up loose ends and getting ready for a bit of R&R – no reporter wants to dive into a new story on Friday.

Ideally, email your pitches early on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, and then follow up with a phone call. Late afternoon generally isn’t a good time because many reporters are “on deadline,” meaning they have to file stories in the early evening.

Now these rules aren’t set in stone. Even a PR blogger like me has success on Mondays and Fridays, but when I can, I stick to these guidelines. Most importantly, get a sense of the journalists you’re pitching. A writer for a monthly magazine will likely have a different schedule than a daily blogger.

Stay on message,