Music to a Reporter's Ears

Reporters are often -- OK, let's just say always -- on some sort of deadline.

While most of us are fully aware that our sources are not always sitting by the phone or staring at the computer waiting on a message for a quote we need, it is still not a good feeling when we can't get in touch with the person we need.

Here are a couple of things you can do to assauge the reporter's anxiety...and it helps to establish yourself as a contact the reporter may want to try again:

• Have a "If you're a reporter on deadline..." alternative on your voicemail - This is music to a reporter's ears. It means there's another way to get in touch with you and it's usually a cell phone number.
• Provide another contact - Make sure the reporter knows who your second-in-command is...and who else is authorized to speak on your organization's behalf. It's OK to be unavailable or go on vacation, but be sure you don't miss a media mention because of it.
• Say which messages you check most often - Not a phone person? Are you the type who lets the voicemail inbox fill up? Say that: "Hey, you know what? I'm better with email so if you really want to get a hold of me faster, send it to this email address."

The moral of the story? It's OK, and mostly expected, that you won't be available all of the time. But providing these alternatives is a great way to help the reporter out.

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.

The Winding Road to Publicity

When I entered the world of consulting, I had to learn differences in terms that people would use interchangeably.

However, I should let you know that public relations, publicity and media relations have differences (because I had to learn this, too)...some subtle, but differences nonetheless. But knowing the differences will also help you learn what you want -- and what you're asking for -- when it's time to consider hiring help.

So, here we go with some basic definitions.

• According to Publicity Insider, publicity is: "is the simple act of making a suggestion to a journalist that leads to the inclusion of a company or product in a story." Note here that we call that suggestion "a pitch."
  
Publicity Insider goes on to say that public relations is "a broader field that encompasses publicity, but also includes such things as investor relations, crisis communications, special events and sponsorships, and other activities designed to mold opinion." Pause. So here we see that PR doesn't just include news; it includes outreach to potential customers and partners.


• Just for kicks, let's talk about media relations, too. BusinessDictionary.comsays media relations includes "linkages with the media personalities and resources that facilitate an organization in getting a favorable, timely, and widespread editorial coverage."
  
  The moral of the story? All of these industries are intertwined but know whether you need a publicist, strictly for news, or a PR pro or help with forming relationships with journalists. To go anywhere with your media coverage, you first have to set the destination -- and enlist the help of the right tour guides.

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.