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Media relations is an important business development function that sometimes gets sidelined, especially in difficult economic times.  It’s difficult to quantify its results, so it’s easily disregarded.  However, media relations can be vitally important to ensure a company stays ahead of the competition and its message is heard by potential customers.

Media relations is a very effective method of communicating with the community.  When doing a media interview, it’s easy to forget that the audience is not the reporter, but his or her readers/viewers.  This provides an important education and business development opportunity.

Here are some tips for working with reporters/editors/producers:

• Remember that with media, their deadlines are immediate, particularly with the importance of online media coverage. Understand and respect these immediate deadlines.
• Be accessible. Ensure everyone who answers the company’s telephone knows that reporter calls take priority and should never be placed in voice mail. If the company principal or spokesperson isn’t immediately available, someone needs to explain to the reporter when he/she will be able to return the call.
• Return calls to reporters immediately!  If you don’t, your competition probably will.
• Develop relationships with reporters, particularly those that cover your type of company. Ensure you are a ready source of prompt information for reporters.
• If interviewed, relax and do a good job.  If you do a good job once, a reporter is more likely to call back for another story.
• Read the newspaper, watch television and listen to the radio. The best way to see how you fit in a particular media outlet’s coverage is to be familiar with them.
• Have information about your company on your company’s Web site (such as history, bios of key leaders, photos and company logo) that reporters and editors can easily acceess.

• 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.

Publicity is an important component of any integrated public relations and marketing plan and a cost-effective way to reach your target audience with key messages. Publicity is defined as the use of the media to tell positive stories about your company or products. This is usually accomplished by cultivating relationships with reporters, editors and producers. We at Priority Marketing work hard every day to build strong relationships with the media and to place our clients in the limelight.

Benefits:  Publicity is different from advertising. Advertising can be purchased and is a controlled method of placing messages in the media. Publicity is not for sale, and there is little control over the message. So what is so great about publicity?

·         Cost Effective: Publicity is cost-effective. Because the media dose not charge for news coverage, this helps to stretch your marketing budget and reinforce the message in your advertising efforts.

·         Longevity: Publicity has greater longevity than advertising. An article about your business will be remembered far longer than an ad.

·         Reach: Publicity reaches a wide audience. Sometimes, your story might even be picked up by the national media, spreading the word about your business all over the country.

·         Credibility: While advertising increases name recognition, publicity increases credibility. Readers feel that if an objective reporter features your company, you must be doing something worthwhile.

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.