ProfNet: A Reporter's Guide
ProfNet is your direct link to news officers at colleges and universities, corporations, think tanks, national labs, medical centers, non-profits, and PR agencies. As reporters with 2,500 news organizations have discovered, there's no limit to the ways you can use ProfNet -- or to the subjects it covers.USING PROFNET SEARCH
Tell ProfNet your name, news organization, nature of the expertise you seek, deadline and the manner in which you'd like its members to get back to you. Three daily distributions are delivered by
e-mail to its members at 10:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern time. If members know of sources they think you'll find helpful, they'll respond in whatever way you specify.
Submit your query as follows:
Phone:800-PROFNET or 800-776-3638
Fax:516-689-1425
E-mail:profnet@profnet.com
Web:www.profnet.com
SEGMENTED SEARCHES
You need not send your query to the entire membership of 5,100 news and information officers. Instead, you may target your query to any combination of five sublists:
Academic: Colleges & Universities and/or Extended Academic
Corporate: Corporations and/or PR Agencies
Public Service: Government & Non-profit Organizations
CLOAKED SEARCHES
Although ProfNet distributions are
confidential, it can't prevent queries from being inappropriately forwarded beyond the circle of ProfNet members. Therefore, compose your queries in a way that describes the nature of the expertise you seek, but does not reveal the focus of your project. If that's not possible, ProfNet can cloak your name and news organization. Cloaked queries are best submitted by phone to ensure appropriate phrasing.
FOLLOW-UPS
After your query is sent, ProfNet keeps members advised on the progress of a search by posting follow-up notices. These include turn-offs when you wish to stop receiving leads and boosters when you need more sources. ProfNet is also glad to inform its members when a story runs. Submit follow-up notices in the same manner you submit queries.
EXPERT'S DATABASE
When your deadline is tight, consult ProfNet's Experts Database, which offers profiles and contact information for 2,200 individuals identified as leading experts at their institutions. You'll find the PED at www.profnet.com/ped.
BRIEFS
ProfNet Briefs are tipsheets produced collaboratively with its members to alert reporters to experts on breaking and emerging news.
ProfNet transmits weekly editions focused on general business, healthcare and technology. To subscribe, e-mail briefs@profnet.com or by fax at 516-689-1425.
For special assistance, please ask for Dan Forbush, President and Sysop, or Kevin Aschenbrenner, Managing Editor.