How You Can Get on the News

As you may know by now, we host a media relations foundation workshop that starts folks off with some tips about how they should pitch their stories.

Last week, we had the pleasure of being on L.E.A.R.N. for Life Consulting's BlogTalk radio show, talking about what nonprofits and small businesses can do to get their stories in the news. Check it out here.

We had a great time with LLC's Heather Butts, who asked some awesome questions about obtaining news coverage. To talk a listen to get advice about networking with reporters, tools you can use to get mentions in the media and what questions you should be asking yourself BEFORE you pitch your story.

Enjoy!

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

What is So Special About You?

For many reporters, whether you have a story comes down to one question: what is so special about you?

In other words, why would their readers, viewers or listeners be interested in what you're talking about?

If you cannot answer this question in a few sentences, you may need to rethink your pitch.

The moral of the story? Reporters cater to their audiences. You have to be able to show what about your story will inform, educate or benefit their audience.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc.  Her background is in print journalism and she has written hundreds of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how they can get media attention for their programs and efforts. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism. 

Timing is Everything

I know that I have stressed and stressed the idea of contacting a reporter as early as possible (although a reporter on deadline is a different situation entirely.

Well, when you're planning an in-depth publicity campaign, this is even more important.

What do I mean by in-depth campaign? Well, let's say you commemorate a holiday every year at about the same time with an annual event.

If this is the case, you should be gearing up to contact the reporter at least eight weeks out. Why?

• You want to make sure that you have an advance (which is a story about your event, in advance)
  
• You want to get the word out and grab more attendees.
• You want to give the reporters time to cover it and plan.

The moral of the story? The rule of them is still: the earlier, the better...and it's always better to be too early than too late.


Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc.  Her background is in print journalism and she has written hundreds of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how they can get media attention for their programs and efforts. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.