“Meet the Media” Series: A Conversation with Amanda Razani
At Touchdown PR, we know that strong media relationships are built on more than just well-crafted pitches. They’re built on making lasting, mutually beneficial relationships and truly understanding how individual reporters, editors, and writers approach their craft and prefer to work with communications professionals. That’s why we launched our internal “Meet the Media” series—to give our team a chance to hear directly from the journalists we work with.
Our latest session featured Amanda Razani, a freelance journalist with a rich background in tech reporting and editorial strategy for publications like TechInformed, The Stack, Enterprise Insights, Gadget, Techstrong Group, and RTInsights. In addition to freelancing, soon Amanda plans to launch her own podcast series, Full Tech Ahead.
During our session, Amanda shared insights into her process, preferences, and the evolving media environment.
What is Amanda most passionate about covering right now?
Amanda’s current interests lie in the world of innovation. She’s especially drawn to stories about robotics, drone technology, autonomous vehicles, 3D printing, AR/VR, and data management. Her podcast work reflects this curiosity, often spotlighting emerging tech and the people behind it.
What makes a pitch stand out?
Amanda emphasized the power of personality. A punchy subject line or a quirky angle can make all the difference. She’s more likely to engage with a pitch that feels fresh or unexpected. But clarity matters too, and she prefers pitches that focus on one topic at a time. Overloading a message with multiple vendors or angles can dilute its impact.
What kind of guests does she enjoy interviewing most?
The most compelling guests aren’t always the most technical. Amanda values speakers who bring energy and confidence to the conversation. A guest who’s enthusiastic and comfortable speaking publicly will always make for a better interview than someone who knows the material but struggles to communicate it. We recommend helping spokespeople add their own flair and voice to company messaging as part of a comprehensive media training program.
How does she decide which stories to pursue?
While Amanda often works with editors who assign topics, she also brings her own ideas to the table. For example, she’s currently developing a piece on autonomous trucking, a topic she’s passionate about but hasn’t yet found the perfect outlet for. When that happens, she looks for new publications that align with the story’s focus.
How does she use AI in her writing process?
Amanda uses AI tools like transcription software and writing assistants to streamline her workflow, but she’s careful to maintain her voice and editorial standards. She believes AI can be a helpful tool, especially for tasks like transcription and outlining, but warns against overreliance, which could impede writing skills in the long run. Maintaining core writing skills is essential, especially as some publications restrict or prohibit AI-generated content.
What are Amanda’s preferences when it comes to pitches?
Amanda values consistency and clarity. She prefers pitches that are focused and well-structured. She’s less likely to respond to press releases that lack a clear angle or relevance. And because of the volume of pitches journalists receive, she recommends not following up more than twice if there’s no response. If they were interested, they would have responded by then.
Any final thoughts?
Amanda emphasized the importance of relationship building between PR professionals and editorial staff. The best sources are those who are consistent, reliable, and easy to work with. She values people who follow a clear process and respect her time. And while she may not respond to every pitch, she remembers the ones that stand out.
Our conversation with Amanda was a reminder that media outreach is as much about people as it is about stories. By understanding what journalists value and how they work, we can build stronger, more effective partnerships.
