Media Relations 101: Tips for your business
When it comes to media relations there are a few best practices every company should follow. Below are a few tips to help you with your publicity efforts. We hope you find these useful.
- Always return phone calls and emails to the media right away – the news waits for no one! Even if you don’t have an answer at that moment, let the reporter or editor know you received their message and you will work on getting them a response right away.
- When thinking of news story possibilities ask yourself the question: “Why should the reader care?” Is something that is “news” to your company going to be important to the average reader?
- Make sure you are familiar with the publication’s audience and your story is relevant to that outlet; make sure the reporter you are contacting covers that beat.
- Make sure your contact database is up-to-date.
- The media receives hundreds of emails a day, so make your subject line punchy, and put the most important facts at the top of your e-mail.
- Do not include attachments besides photos and artwork; make sure all the information is in the body of the e-mail.
- Check the news for local breaking news before contacting the media. If there is a major news event happening, wait for a better time to contact them.
- Be conscious of reporters deadlines, newspaper reporters are busy trying to reach deadlines in the afternoon, and TV reporters right before the news airs. Contact them when it’s a convenient time for them to talk.
- Read publication editorial calendars and stay apprised of current news and try to think of ways to incorporate your business.
- Plan ahead: Keep in mind that long-lead publications such as magazines look for and draft editorial content 3-4 months in advance of publication. Strategic media planning is helpful in outlining opportunities for long-lead pubs.
- Keep your website updated with the most up-to-date information. Your website is available 24 hours a day, so make sure it is fresh and current!
- Don’t try to oversell your story. If a reporter doesn’t seem interested don’t push it. It’s much more important to keep a good relationship for future story ideas.
If we can help you with your media relations initiatives, please call us at 239-267-2638. For a full list of PR services, visit: http://prioritymarketing.com/services/pubrelations/pubrelations.html
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