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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

Technology changes things rapidly. The moment a new tech tool comes along it’s almost instantly made obsolete by a better one taking its place. With this innovation comes the opportunity for do-it-yourselfers to publish, print and post without the technical support of a professional marketing team. However, the technology doesn’t guarantee results. So, yes, you can do it yourself. The question is… Should you?

One thing technology doesn’t come with is a marketing degree, never mind the experience necessary to strategically use new technology to a company’s advantage.

Yes, you can start a blog, but do you really need a blog? Do you know what to put in your blog? Do you have time to maintain a blog?

Yes, you can maintain your Facebook page, but do you know how the page’s capabilities changed since yesterday? Do you know how to use it to enhance search engine optimization? Do you know when to use it for sales and when not to?

Yes, you can build your own website, but do you wonder why your website comes up on page 1,002 when you Google your company’s name? Do you know who is visiting and why? Do you know how long they are staying and why they left? Do you know how easy it is for a competitor to copy it?

Yes, you can purchase your own advertising, but do you know how much you could save if a professional media buyer negotiated the price for you? Do you know how to manage the design process and get the ad to the publication on time? Do you know if the ad will work because it has the right headline, graphics and call to action?

These are just a few of the questions do-it-yourselfers should ask, and Priority Marketing has the answers. With more than 25 years of experience in providing top-notch advertising, marketing and public relations services, one of the benefits we offer clients is the knowledge and understanding necessary to achieve results. We apply this hard-earned expertise each and every day, staying on top of new technologies, opportunities and trends through hands-on work, industry publications, networking and seminars.

We also have established relationships with vendors, advertising reps and the media, personal connections that open doors to better results and cost savings for clients. We know what questions to ask every step of the way, what details to pay attention to and when to step back and look at the big picture.

While following new technology and innovations is vitally important, the advantages of having Priority Marketing on your side will never become obsolete.

Do you have a do-it-yourself marketing experience to share? We hope it was successful, but if it wasn’t, we can help turn it around for you. Call us today, 239-267-2638.

• Be accessible: Always return a reporter’s call or email within an hour.
• Be professional: Have a headshot and biography ready to send electronically.
• Stay on message: Never say anything to a reporter you don’t want to show up in the media, even if you clarify that’s “off the record.” Develop talking points and stay on message.
• Post your accolades: Create a newsroom on your Web site with important company information and news releases for reporters.
• Be proactive: When possible, plan to send news releases well in advance of events to maximize exposure. Magazines need content at least three months ahead of time. National magazines may have an even longer lead time.

 Get started on our publicity efforts:

“It’s not about being worthy, it’s about being newsworthy.” Yes you and your company deserve publicity as much as your competitor. Maybe even more! But the media has specific criteria it uses when selecting which stories to cover. Following are a few newsworthy “hooks” to attract interest in your company.

• Hot Topics: Tying your company to national events is a great way to get mentioned in the media. Click here to see a list of upcoming holidays!
  
• Awards: Has your company received a local, regional or national award? Why not be recognized for all the great work you do all year long?
  
• Community Involvement: Writing a news release on a corporate donation, team volunteer day or board appointment is a great way to let the community know that your business is dedicated to them.

 Become the Expert:  Being quoted as an expert is one of the best ways to get your name “out there.” Contact your account manger today to find out more!

 Here’s how we can help you:

• Press Release Copywriting
• Press Release Media Distribution
• Media Spokesperson Training
• Media Pitching
• Crisis Communications
• Op-ed Articles
• Letters to the Editor
• Public Service Announcements
• Press Clipping Services
• Media Kits

Contact us today to find out more about our public relations services at 239-267-2638 or info@prioritymarketing.com.