Avoid these 5 statements when pitching me, says tech writer

On the flip side, what kind of story ideas and comments make him leery of a source?

Here are some common statements that Vance says are best to avoid when talking with the media. Keep in mind this is not applicable to all reporters, but is something Vance takes into consideration when conducting interviews.

We’re the only vendor doing this. We have no competitors.

When a vendor says this, my first instinct is to name four or five direct competitors. If I can’t name direct ones, I’ve never failed to deliver indirect ones. If you have no competitors, you have no proven market. That or the vendor you represent is full of B.S.

We have hundreds of customers, but we can’t name any.

Oh, really? Why should I believe that? Do you really have any actual paying customers? If you really do, this is still a problem, telling me that the sales and marketing team isn’t prioritizing testimonials the way it should.

We’re a bootstrap organization that refuses to raise VC money. We’re 100 percent financed by our management team.