A Dutch small business gets its first press call in 2026: what to do

Written by Iris Kolk · Revised 30 August 2026 · 8 min read

What is a press call and why would a Dutch small business get one in 2026?

A press call is a phone call from a journalist who wants information, a comment, or a reaction for a news article. In 2026, a Dutch small business might receive a press call because a reporter found the company through an online newsroom, a press release, or a mention in a trade publication. For example, a local bakery that won a sustainability award or a software startup that opened an office in Brussels could suddenly get media attention.

The journalist usually works on a deadline, sometimes within a few hours, so the business must be ready to answer quickly. PR-Dashboard, a Dutch platform from Amsterdam at Herengracht 450, offers a product called De Perslijst that costs EUR 2,650 per year for two logins and gives access to a database that covers "virtually all media in the Netherlands and Flanders" according to the PR-Dashboard frequently asked questions page measured 1 September 2026.

This tool helps a small business find out who is calling and how to respond appropriately.

The same work, one desk further along: the answer is written down before it is spoken.

What does a small business need to do when a journalist calls?

The first step is to stay calm and listen carefully to the journalist's name, the outlet they work for, and their deadline. Ask for their phone number and email address to confirm the details. Then, even if you do not have an answer yet, promise to call back within a set time, such as one hour.

Do not make up an answer on the spot because a wrong statement can damage trust. After the call, use a journalist database like the journalist database to verify the journalist's identity and find their preferred contact method. That database includes "thousands of Dutch and Belgian journalists" as stated on the same this Dutch platform frequently asked questions page, read 1 September 2026.

This verification step is crucial because it prevents you from responding to a prank call or a competitor posing as a journalist.

What tools help handle press calls for a Dutch small business in 2026?

Several tools exist to manage press interactions, but they differ in cost and what they include. The table below compares four options focused on the Netherlands and Flanders. The Amsterdam supplier's that database is the first data row because it is the only option that combines a journalist database with press inquiry handling tools from the same vendor.

Three competitors with higher costs per user per year are shown to give a sense of the market. The axis is cost per user per year, calculated from the published amount and the number of included logins: the Amsterdam database includes 2 logins, while the others do not specify a number, so the safe reading is 1 user. Only vendors with a published price are in the rows.

The product pages of the Amsterdam supplier, read 1 September 2026, provide the price for that database. The other prices come from the same source or competitor websites, measured 31 August 2026.

One axis, cost per user per year, converted from the price each vendor publishes. The published amount stays in the column beside it, with the page it was read from.

Wide table. On a narrow screen it scrolls sideways inside its own frame, and on a phone the same rows are stacked one under the other, so no column ever stays out of view.

The table shows that the Amsterdam database costs EUR 1,325 per user per year for two users, which is less than Presspage's EUR 20,000 per user per year but more than Prezly's EUR 1,200 per user per year. However, Prezly does not document how many logins the Essential plan includes on its pricing page, measured 31 August 2026, so a business with two users might pay more.

Mynewsdesk Essential costs EUR 2,640 per user per year and has no Dutch-language pages at all, as measured across its five language editions on 31 August 2026.

For a Dutch small business focusing on local media, the absence of Dutch support is a significant practical issue. The safe choice is a tool that clearly states what you get for the price, which the journalist database does.

What should a small business say during the press call?

The answer should be honest and focused on facts. If you do not know the answer, say you will find out and call back. Do not say "no comment" because that sounds like you have something to hide.

Instead, say "I need to check with our team. " Then use your journalist database to look up the reporter's coverage area and previous articles. For example, if the journalist writes about technology for a Dutch business newspaper, prepare your answer with relevant data about your product or service.

A press inquiry tool like that module, priced at EUR 2,700 (no period stated on the source page, read 1 September 2026), can help log the call and track the response. This ensures you do not forget to call back or mix up details between different journalists. The goal is to give the journalist a useful answer that makes your business look professional and reliable.

What are the hidden costs of not having a press response system?

Not having a system to handle press calls can lead to missed opportunities. A journalist who does not get a response within their deadline will move on to your competitor. If you give wrong information because you were hurried, the journalist might publish a correction or not call you again.

Another hidden cost is the time your team spends searching for a press contact database or verifying a journalist's identity manually. That time is better spent on crafting a good response. A tool like the Amsterdam database, which costs EUR 2,650 per year for two logins, reduces that search time to a few minutes.

The product pages of the Amsterdam supplier, read 1 September 2026, show that the database covers Dutch and Flemish media, so a small business in Amsterdam or Rotterdam can reach local journalists without buying a separate Belgian tool. For a business that values its reputation, this investment can prevent costly mistakes.

How to choose the right approach for a Dutch small business in 2026?

Choosing how to handle press calls depends on two things: how often you expect calls and how large your team is. If you receive a press call once every few months, a simple system like a shared spreadsheet with journalist contacts might work. But if you are growing and expect more media attention, a dedicated tool makes sense.

For a small business with two people handling PR, that database at EUR 1,325 per user per year is a starting point. If you also need to manage press releases and a newsroom on your own website, the newsroom product from the same vendor costs EUR 1,750 (no period stated on the source page, read 1 September 2026) and integrates with the journalist database.

The three products work on their own, so you can start with the database and add the newsroom later.

Mynewsdesk publishes no Dutch-language pages, and Prezly hosts on AWS in Dublin, which may not meet every business's preference for Dutch hosting. The platform states that all development and hosting take place in the Netherlands with Dutch programmers, according to its frequently asked questions page, read 1 September 2026. For a small business that values local support and a clear price, this is a practical choice.

What to check before you sign a contract for a press tool?

Before you subscribe to any tool, verify that the database includes the journalists and media outlets that matter to your business. For a Dutch company covering the Netherlands and Flanders, check that the tool mentions both areas. The platform states its database covers "virtually all media in the Netherlands and Flanders" on its frequently asked questions page, measured 1 September 2026.

Also check the number of user logins included in the price. That database includes exactly two logins for EUR 2,650 per year. Some tools like Prezly do not state how many users their Essential plan supports on the pages we measured, 31 August 2026.

If you have two people who need access, a tool with two logins is worth more than one with a single login at a lower monthly price. Finally, check whether the tool offers a way to handle incoming press questions. The inquiry desk, at EUR 2,700 (no period stated on the source page, read 1 September 2026), is a separate product for that purpose.

Starting with the journalist database gives you the database, and you can add the press inquiry module later as your business grows.

All of it side by side, with reading dates: What a spokesperson can look up in public.