4 Things to Do After Your Arrest Record is Online

The first question anyone asks when they see an account of their arrest online is: "Can do they do that?"

Yes. They can. And they did. Police reports are public record and therefore fair game for journalists. I've reported on my share of cops columns and criminal court cases and all I can say is that people are always interested in crime...so police reports will always be news.

But I get it. It's embarrassing. And it comes up in Google searches so you want to find a way to get rid of it.

I usually give tips on this blog about pitching your story to get in the news but I wanted to address this topic because as a writer and fill-in editor, I see the question "Can you take my arrest record down?" at least three times a week.

So here are a few things you can do about it:

• Contact the editor of the website with the outcome. Were the charges dismissed? Were no charges ever filed? Did you beat the case? Have the charges been expunged? Contact the editor and let them know about it. They can't rewrite history and delete the arrest, but they may add an editor's note about the outcome of the case.
• Comment on the story with the outcome. I would only use this tactic if you can't get in touch with the editor or sometone in charge. Typically, stories online have places where you can comment. I'm not saying write a narrative about the issue that may get you in more legal trouble but posting something like "My name is () and I just want to say these charges were dropped," etc. could help.
• Consider creating your own website or blog. We also know by now that search engines will pick up your name in an online arrest report BUT if you have your own site with its tags and labels that include your name, you can combat some of the negative information with positive info about your jobs, community service, etc. It doesn't have to be an elaborate website and you can host many sites and blogs for free.
• Be prepared to explain. If nothing else, be ready to explain what happened with the incident, that it was a long time ago or that you made a mistake or whatever to potential employers or whomever may come across the information -- especially if the charges were dismissed. 

The moral of the story? It's not easy when your mistakes are visible for everyone to see because conflict can be a huge element of news, criminal proceedings will remain a hot topic. But whatever happened, own up to your mistakes and make sure you're never in the situation again.

Related blogs:
5 Things You Should Never Say to a Reporter
Beware of the Skeletons
5 Ways to Avoid Reporter Mistakes

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and publicity strategist 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.

After You Pitch: 3 Things You Should Do

So you have prepared for your big pitch to a reporter and actually contacted them.

Go you.

And now you wait -- and wait.

Let me say that every reporter isn't going to get back to you. I like to think that I responded to every query and pitch with a "no, thank you" if I didn't need it, but I can't be sure. With that said, sometimes reporters are interested in your story and no news is not good news.

But still, here are a few things you can do to follow up and none of them involve making a pest of yourself.

1. Call or email. If your sent your pitch via email and haven't heard anything back, call the reporter and leave a message as well. Vice versa if you called first; make sure that you email as a follow-up.
2. Peruse the news to see if anything related to your story was aired or published. What this means is that you follow news trends to see if something in your industry has been covered. That could be why reporters don't want to cover it again OR you can use it as as fresh leverage to show your pitch or topic is still relevant.
3. Take a look at your pitch again. See if there is anything you can do to improve for next time. Perhaps you can freshen up some statistics or throw in a new angle so that ultimately, you can pitch it again.

The moral of the story? Sometimes reporters don't respond. Every pitch doesn't necessarily get a "yes." But the great thing about that "yes" is that you only need one to get started. So don't give up.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and publicity strategist 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.

Before You Pitch: 5 Questions Reporters Will Ask

Reporters ask questions.

A lot of questions. I mean, it's their job -- to ask questions.

So, before you pitch to a reporter, understand that there will probably be lots of follow-up questions. But don't worry...questions means that they're interested so questions are good.

However, here are five things you should have ready for a reporter's inevitable questions:

1. Are you sure this is true? Make sure your claims are accurate. You say that your organization is the only one of its kind to do whatever it is that you do. Do your research to make sure that tidbit -- and anything else you come up with as part of your pitch -- is true.
2. Do you have any proof? Be ready to offer records, statistics or other verification. Reporters always want to know if and how you can back up your claims, so be ready with that information.
3. Is there someone we can talk to? Have a person who can be interviewed. Reporters want actual stories to cover, which means they will usually ask you if you have a person they can talk with further about your story. For example, if your organization provides wonderful service for kids, they're going to want to interview one of the kids about it.
4. Can we take photos/shoot video?  Good photos can make the difference between a brief or a blurb in a newspaper and a front page story OR a 15-second mention vs. a 1:50 package. Be sure you have options for some activity for the photog or videog to shoot.
5. Do you have a comment? Make sure you know what you're going to say. Have a few bullet points that essentially capture the essence of your story so that you can rattle it off to a reporter without flinching.

The moral of the story? Preparation is key.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and publicity strategist 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.

Three More Ways to Get in the News

In my teleclasses, on the blog, on webinars and just about everywhere I am, period, I'm always discussing ways to get your stories in the news.

We talk a lot about events and even being your own news station but there are also a few ways you may want to share your story that may only be directly involved with your organization.

Here are a few areas that can net you news coverage, too, if you can offer your own experience or expertise and if you believe you have knowledge that can help people:

• Health and wellness. I'm plugged into several reporter query databases and it seems someone always wants to know about work and your health. Do you have a story about how you overcame work-related stress or an unwanted weight gain? Did you beat some disease against the odds and want to share how you did it? You may have some information to contribute for a story.
• Mommyhood and family dynamics. Flexible schedules, momtrepreneurs and even stay-at-home dads are trends that can easily be plugged into for a media outlet. Do you have some unique family arrangement that supports your career? Recover from a nasty divorce and want to warn others about do's and don'ts? You may have a story.
• Gadgets, technology and helpful doodads. Everyone wants to know what the next big thing is in apps, social media and the like. Have you found something that you just can't live or work without and want to help spread the word? Caution, though...don't promote a product that you are just trying to sell...such human interest stories are usually completely organic.

The moral of the story? If you have something to say, there's usually an outlet for it. Media is more than just the mainstream newspaper or broadcast show, and there are magazines, TV shows, books and radio shows that could feature your great story or advice.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and publicity strategist 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.

Sometimes, It's Best NOT to Respond

I often get asked PR-related questions during casual conversations and though I don't specialize in crisis management PR, I think some concepts are fairly easy to understand.

One of those concepts is: you don't have to respond to everything bad "they" say about you.

"They" could be critics or the competition or just John and Joan Q. Public. We've talked about how to avoid no comment if a reporter asks you, but if nobody comes a'calling to get your take on a negative situation, sometimes it's best to just be silent -- especially if the situation is just gossip.

You have decide when a response is worth the trouble. Here are three things to keep in mind:

• Responding to a controversy extends the life of the controversy. If you come out with a statement to an issue that nobody has asked you about, you've just given a fresh perspective to that controversy. Now the story is that you responded to something that may not have grabbed many people's attention the first go-round, but they're paying attention to it now. If you don't address it, it may fade away on its own.
• If it's not libel or slander, consider letting it go. If it's not serious enough to take the issue to a court of law, ignore your first instinct to post on your blog or Tweet or write a Facebook post to give 'em the whatfor. A lot of times, that's they what "they" want anyway -- to get a rise out of you.
• Keep your poker face on. Don't let them know that you have been affected by whatever they have to say, again, if it's not libelous, slanderous or will somehow affect the life of your business or organization.

The moral of the story? In this digital age, everyone has a platform to state their opinion. Decide whether a response to a negative opinion is worth the effort of your attention.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and publicity strategist 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.

3 Things that Make Your Event More Newsworthy

In the grand scheme of things, simply having an event is not news.

That is why pitching merely a fundraiser or conference without any detail probably will not net you much reponse from reporters.

So here are three things you should consider adding to your pitch about your next event that will bost your newsworthiness:

• What's happening? If it's simply people drinking and dancing, you don't have much a uniqueness factor. But if you have a big presentation, like a unique dance troupe performance or some sort of interactive demonstrative, you should definitely mention it.
• Say who will be there. Expecting the mayor or other well-known figures or celebrities? Definitely mention that.
• Are there any photo opps? If there is anything visual for them to take photos or video of (beyond people posing and smiling) let the reporters know.

The moral of the story? The more that you can consider what the reporter needs and/or wants from the story, the more you can offer them in your pitch or press release.




Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media relations 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.

You Shouldn't Try to Get Your Story in the News If...

Sometimes, it just has to be said: everybody doesn't have a newsworthy story.

What's good news for you doesn't meant that it will draw the attention of the masses that reporters are tasked with educating, informing or entertaining every day.

Here are three simple reasons why you should NOT be pitching your story because chances are, you don't have a story that's ready for media attention.

• You just want to sell something. If the only thing you can come up with about your organization or company is what's on sale, you are not ready to start pitching. If you can only offer a reporter coupons for background information, don't bother pitching, just buy an ad.
• You can't explain exactly what you do. If you aren't able to give a clear, concise sentence about why the masses would care about your story, you need to head back to the drawing board until you can figure that out. If you can't explain it to a reporter, a reporter can't explain it to their audience...and nobody gets it.
• Your story has nothing unique about it. I run into organizations all the time that want coverage for a fundraiser. Well, thousands of organizations have fundraisers. What makes yours different and what do you have to offer people if they donate or attend?

The moral of the story? To appeal to a reporter, your story has to have elements that appeals to a mass audience.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and publicity strategist 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.