Don’t be afraid to ask a journalist how long an interview is likely to go for so you can pace your answers. If you’re being interviewed in a television studio find out if you will be standing next to the interviewer or in a different room with an earpiece looking into a camera. By finding […]
If a journalist asks for more information or visuals then drop everything and get it to them fast. It will show them they can rely on you. It will help them remember you next time there is a story that they need someone to comment on with your expertise. Imagine you tied in with a […]
The headline on a media release will determine if a journalist reads your story idea or not. The best headlines take a strong viewpoint and sum up what the story is about. For example the headline “Wine Addiction Soaring Amongst Mums as Dry July Beckons” is making a statement about a problem affecting a specific group. […]
With increasing demand for online content more and more news sites and blogs are asking experts in their field to write 500 word opinion pieces. Kochie’s Business Builders, The Guardian, Dynamic Business, and Huffington Post are just some embracing your written words. When you’re sending a media release to an online news site or blog […]
I’ve seen journalists delete media releases without even reading them simply because they were incorrectly addressed to the wrong person. In the mind of some journalists if you can’t spend the time to find out whom you’re writing to, then they won’t spend the time reading what you have to say. Make the effort to […]
When phoning a journalist always think about their deadlines so you don’t ring at the most inappropriate time. I’ve known journalists to refuse to give some PR agencies the time of day because they’d ring when their radio show was on air or during the news. For example never ring a journalist in a radio […]
The follow up call to a journalist is often the most dreaded action any business owner has when getting publicity in the media, but it’s the most important. Journalists are always on deadline and their inbox is full of media releases so it’s important you call and speak to them, usually 24 hours after sending […]
Many businesses know they should be targeting bloggers but don’t because they feel overwhelmed about where to start. Simply find one blogger you’d like publicity from and start following them on social media and get to know their blog. Email the blogger, keep it personable and be upfront about what you’d like them to blog […]
When trying to get a story in the media think about any upcoming holidays or celebrations that you can tie in with your product or service. A chocolate company might pitch a story angle to journalists around Valentine’s Day. Your business might be able to tie in with Mother’s Day and what mums really want.
As a Chief of Staff of Seven’s Sunrise program said “We don’t have a lot of time to read lengthy emails so they need to be short and to the point. If I don’t understand the pitch/story in the first read I never will.” Try to keep the length of your email to about three […]
