Approaching the media is one of the real challenges of PR - but it doesn't have to be.
Journalists are real people. They are doing a job and need to fill their pages. If you can help them do that, then all the better.
Think about all the media available today - from print media, electronic, radio, newspapers... then think of the different sectors from consumer press to industry, hobbies, sailing, crafts, parenting - there are hundreds of pages which need to be filled every month.
Remember that journalists need people like you and I to supply them with news stories, angles, feature ideas, quotes and statistics. If you start realising that you are helping an editor to do his/her job a little easier, then your PR could really start moving.
PR is just as much about building a relationship with your media contacts as it is your customers. Start by introducing yourself to the press, take a look at the magazine/paper they work on, what sectors do they work on. How can you help them? Do they need case studies to help with their features? Perhaps they need a recipe for a family page? Can you offer life coaching help for a fitness special?
It's best to use a mix of phone calls and email - like any other person. They could be busy, up against deadline or out of the office for a few days.
Find out what features they are working on - remember how far in advance some magazines work.
What could you offer them? Think in terms of value - could you offer them some of your products as a competition prize. This is a great way to gain a bit of PR space.
Be brave, be bold and give your PR a kick start!
Need a PR Boost? - check out my website (www.getinthepress.com) for PR Packages, Coaching and details of the parenting media database.
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