3 tips to get your company in the news
If you want to get attention in today’s busy newsrooms, your media pitch must be on point. As reporters face increasing demands - to write more stories, in addition to filming, editing, photographing and tweeting - it’s critical that you don’t waste their time.
With the following simple approaches, I’ve developed valuable working relationships with key journalists and helped companies to increase their media coverage by as much as 1000 percent. Here’s my top tips for getting your media release published.
Target individuals, not the main news inbox.
Do your research and know the reporters that often cover your industry or topic. Send your media release directly to those reporters with a brief personal message outlining why your story matters. By targeting specific journalists, you know your media release is being seen and you have an opportunity to develop a relationship.
Offer high quality photos upfront.
Your story needs imagery to get published. Attaching a photo to your media release is efficient and saves both you and the reporter time following up. There are hundreds of stories a day and deadlines to meet, so this small gesture goes a long way in helping you to earn a good reputation in the newsroom.
Put your spokesperson on standby for interviews.
If your media release gets picked up by a reporter, there is a good chance they will want to follow up with an interview, rather than using the quotes provided in the release. Have your spokesperson put aside some time in their calendar in anticipation of interviews so you can immediately coordinate appointments with reporters. Planning ahead of time will give your spokesperson notice to rehearse key messages and ensures reporters can meet their deadlines.
News coverage reaches a wide audience and provides greater credibility than advertising, which is why media relations is a critical component of a communications strategy. If you need assistance with media relations strategy or implementation, please contact me.
Media relations expertise
Our media relations services include:
Writing and distributing media releases
Responding to media enquiries, including coordinating interviews and photographs
Briefing spokespeople and preparing key messages
Developing pitches tailored to key reporters
Planning and executing press conferences and product launches
Media relations planning, including creating a calendar of opportunities, media release distribution lists, and key messages
Rates and availability:
Options include a monthly retainer or time billed-as-incurred on an hourly rate. Implementation rates vary depending on the nature of the work. Please contact us for your individualised quote.