How to Find Journalist Contact Information (+ Free Tracker)

Finding a journalist's contact details when you don’t have access to a big-name media database can feel like trying to find the WiFi password at a café with no signage. Frustrating – but not impossible. 

Whether you’re an agency with a new client, running comms at a startup, working in-house at a nonprofit, or just trying to DIY your way into a bit of earned media, there are plenty of ways to source reliable journalist contact information without blowing your PR budget.

Here’s a breakdown of practical journalist outreach tools, proven steps, and how Prezly can help you pull it all together into a smart outreach workflow.

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Media databases offer instant access to thousands of media contacts, often filtered by publication, subject, or job title. For large PR teams or agencies, that kind of scale can be helpful.

But for smaller teams, the cost often outweighs the value.

• Fast access to names and job titles of journalists
• Easy to filter by topic, location, or publication
• Useful if you’re unable to spend time sourcing contacts manually

• Expensive – pricing often starts in the thousands
• Records can be outdated or too broad
• You may get generic emails, not direct access to the person you want to reach

If you're looking for specific press contacts who are actually interested in your story, a custom-built list is often more effective – and more secure.

Here’s how to find journalist names and emails online, and how to connect with them thoughtfully.

LinkedIn is a great place to find journalists by title, beat, or publication.

• Search for job titles like “reporter,” “editor,” or “correspondent”
• Add topics or locations – for example, “health editor” in “New York”
• Use filters to narrow your results by company or region
• Look for portfolio links or press work in the bio

Once you’ve found someone, you can often access contact details through their profile, directory listing, or a linked website.

Google News is ideal for finding active journalists covering your topic.

• Enter your subject in Google News (e.g. “climate change + donations”)
• Click on recent articles to see who’s writing about it
• Follow the byline to find the journalist’s bio or press contact

Most reporters include an email address or a tip link. If not, try the outlet’s contact page or editorial directory.

Substack is no longer just for essays – it’s a hub for freelance journalists and beat reporters looking to share stories directly with readers.

• Search by topic: try “fashion journalist site:substack.com” or browse the directory of newsletters
• Subscribe to relevant publications to see what they care about and how they write
• Most newsletters include a reply-to email or contact link – some even ask for story tips or ideas
• Start by building a relationship: reply to a post, send a relevant comment, or offer a specific tip before pitching

Substack can be a useful way to connect when you're unable to find direct press contact details elsewhere, especially for niche topics.

Once you have a journalist’s name and publication, email discovery tools can help you find their address.

Trusted tools include:

• Hunter.io
• RocketReach
• Voila Norbert

These scan the internet to match names to email formats. Many also verify the result so you don’t send to an invalid or outdated address.

Only send to work-related emails intended for media inquiries or story tips.

Many journalists use Twitter, LinkedIn, or other platforms to accept pitches or post updates.

• Twitter (X): Check bios for emails, tip links, or DMs
• LinkedIn: Look for contact info in bios or on linked websites
• Instagram or Linktree: Popular with lifestyle editors and independent reporters
• Bluesky or Mastodon: Some journalists have moved to smaller platforms – check for updates

Always verify that someone welcomes pitches before you reach out. And remember, security and consent matter – especially when sending information to people covering sensitive topics.

Double-check emails before sending your pitch to reduce bounces and protect your sender reputation.

Tools like:

• NeverBounce
• Hunter Email Verifier
• MailTester

…can confirm if an email address is active. This helps you reach the right person and keeps your records clean.

When you start building your own contact list, it’s easy to get disorganized. At first, a spreadsheet might work – just enter names, outlets, contact info, and story notes.

But as your outreach grows, consider a system that helps you manage everything in one place.

With Prezly, you can:

• Keep contact records up to date
• Tag journalists by topic or interest
• Track opens, responses, and follow-ups
• Share notes with team members
• Avoid duplicate outreach

It’s a smart way to keep track of your work, especially if you’re handling media outreach solo or across multiple teams.

Not ready for a full PR tool? Start with this simple, free spreadsheet to track your media contacts, pitches, and follow-ups.

👉 Open the template in Google Sheets

To use it:

1. Click here to open the template in Google Sheets
2. Select File > Make a copy to save it to your own Google Drive
3. Add your journalist contacts, pitch history, and notes as you go

It’s a handy starting point for building your outreach workflow. And when you’re ready to level up, Prezly can help you manage your contacts, track engagement, and send targeted pitches – start a 14-day free trial with no credit card required.

Here’s an example of a DIY workflow that gets real results:

• Find journalists using LinkedIn, Twitter, or Google News
• Check what they write about – use their recent stories as a guide
• Discover their contact information using Hunter or RocketReach
• Verify the email address
• Reach out with a relevant, well-timed pitch
• Track engagement using Prezly’s campaign tools

It’s straightforward, effective, and gives you access to a more relevant media list than you’d get from a static database.

Once you’ve gathered journalist contact information, keep these things in mind:

• Match your pitch to the journalist’s beat – not just the publication
• Make it easy for them to follow up – include key information upfront
• Respect their preferences – especially if they say “no pitches” or use a specific contact for press
• Include a subject line that gets to the point
• Keep your email concise – one idea, one ask

Want a better shot at getting a reply? Read our guide on how to contact journalists →

Easily manage your journalist relationships and outreach with Prezly.

It’s easier than ever to find media contacts and press opportunities online – even if you’re not using a media database. By building your own contact list and using smart tools to organize your outreach, you’ll connect with journalists who actually want to hear from you.

Prezly gives you everything you need to store, manage, and send pitches to the right people. You get a daily overview of campaign performance, open and click tracking, and a secure space for managing journalist relationships.

Start your free 14-day trial of Prezly today and take the guesswork out of outreach.