We'll Be Back

We are re-arranging some things at The Write Vision Group and taking a little break from blogging while we sort it out. And we are certainly ready for some exciting new changes.

Meanwhile, enjoy some of our past popular posts:

3 Tips to Get a Reporter to Open Your Email

Five Ways to Handle A Mistake in Your Story

3 Ways Publicity Can Make You Money

Is Any Publicity Really Good Publicity?

Five Things You Should Never Say to a Reporter

4 Ways to Establish Credibility

When you are pitching reporters, your credibility is everything.

Reporters want to know who you are, if your story is true and how/why you are qualified to speak about that story.

If you cannot prove to a reporter that you are a credible source, you can forget about a story.

Here are a few things that you should be doing to reassure journalists that you actually know what you are talking about:

• Have an online presence. By now, everyone should have a website, a blog or at the very least, a Facebook page. Gone are the days where a reporter will use a phone book to locate an expert...it's all about Google and Bing now. If you do not have some sort of online presence for your business or organization, you are sorely behind.
• Have independent research and statistics. I can't stress enough that reporters -- and people in general, actually -- love statistics. Research. Quantitative facts that support your story, and not necessarily research that you completed, unless you are a qualified researcher. Outside sources are always great. "Why, yes, the national expert on this or that said these numbers are true."
• Work with other credible partners who can vouch for you. No one operates in a vacuum. As you grow your business and organization, you should reach out to complementing organizations or businesses that you can network with and that you can tell reporters you have worked with if they ask. "Yes, we've been working with organization X on this initiative or Prominent Person B and they have been very supportive."
• Tell the truth. Don't exaggerate, bend or stretch the truth. You may get away with initially, but it will come back to bite you.

The moral of the story? When you're a media novice, your background is going to be scrutinized, especially in this digital age where people can more or less make up their credentials. Make sure that your credibility can withstand the review.

Related posts: If You Paid For It, It's Not News
                       Can You Be An Expert?

3 Reasons Press Releases Aren't Dead

The mourning of the press release is a little premature, in my humble opinion.

Want to know why? Because every news outlet I've pitched recently has asked me to follow up with...you guessed it, a press release. And these were major outlets.

To be clear, I will say the structure of the traditional press release is a bit outdated. Much to my regret, some of the formatting of press releases that used to be functional are now defunct -- (press releases looked so official with all that stuff!) And you don't fax a press release the way you used to for many outlets.

However, it's OK to update your press release format and still use them. Here are three reasons why press releases haven't received the death knell yet:

• Their purpose is still to capture the essence of the story. It's not the whole story. It's not three pages long. It's a summary of the most interesting and important elements of your story. It's supposed to simply whet the reporters' appetite for more information. This is needed during the busy day of a reporter/editor/producer/planner.
• It's a structured format everyone can understand. Sure, you can tell people to trash the presser and just send a bunch of bullet points and that may work. But I love press releases because they are full of structured information and -- if done correctly -- get straight to the point.
• Reporters are still asking for them. Regardless of what the industry buzz is, the folks at major media outlets still asked for this information. Again, the format has changed, but the role of the press release remains relevant.

The moral of the story? If you have a good story and send the information in a press release, no reporter is going to say, "Yikes, didn't you know press releases were dead?! I'm not covering this amazing story!" Don't use your press release to ramble on or send out a million weird press releases blindly to random outlets, but when done right, press releases still win.

Related Posts: Be Your Own News Station
                        How the News Works

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.

You're a Speaker, Author...How Do You Get in the News?

In this digital age, it's easier than ever to share information with the masses. It's a great thing because you have the platform to share your experiences and expertise.

So you've written a book and you're also a speaker. Naturally, you want to speak about your book. And just as naturally, you want a reporter to cover it.

Here are some things you should keep in mind when you're contacting reporters to cover your story:

• It's not enough that you've written a book. Millions of people have written books. What is the book about and why should people care?
• Don't harp on how much your book costs. Reporters are not there to help you sell them. They want your story.
• Reporters get lots of books to review. You may want to try a less traditional way of getting attention for your book.

The moral of the story? Just like with anything else, getting in the news takes a little work on your part. To get publicity for your book, you have to consider what sets you apart from the other authors and speakers out there.

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.

Social Media vs. Traditional Media...Which Wins?

I'm a reporter.

Yes, I know, you know that. As a reporter, how I help people is share what I know from being on the inside, so to speak, to help you put together a better story to present to people just like me.

So when I hear that PR folks are no longer needed due to social media, I have to pause.

Social media is an awesome supplement for traditional media. I actually love social media, so don't think that I'm not a fan.

But social doesn't replace traditional media, for several reasons but here are my top three:

• Third-party verification. Of course, you think you're awesome. But when someone else thinks you're awesome, someone who isn't paid to retweet your promo or to say certaing things on a Youtube video, it's still good news.  Reporters are that third party that can objectively -- more or less -- report on what makes you great.
• People still trust the news. Reporters have a way of digging up facts that people still trust and care about. Though you may be able to spread your entertainment quickly via social media, a lot of people don't trust it until it comes from a credible news source.
• Traditional news multiplies social media. When a video goes viral, it's a great thing. And imagine how many more hits the video gets when it gets shown on "Good Morning America."

I love social media. And I love traditional media. The moral of the story? Effective marketing, PR and publicity strives to use a good combination of both.

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.

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. 

Know When to Fold 'Em

Everyone has that one reporter that is impossible to contact. This person is so elusive that reaching out to them is like trying to catch the wind. So close, yet so far.

It may not be that this reporter talks to everyone on the planer except for, so don't take it personally. They may just legitimately be busy. If you have contacted this reporter several times by phone, email and/or smoke signal to no avail, it may be time to give it up.

I'm not suggesting that you don't pitch to the reporter anymore; I'm saying that instead of trying to get the one-on-one that is escaping you, just add them to your email list and continue to send great pitches and/or releases their way.

The moral of the story? Put your information out there concisely and consistently, but don't make yourself a pest. When something interests them, they will call. 

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.