The fall season is well underway and things are really hopping in the world of
Yours,
Jen Evans
President, Sequentia Communications
Talking to the Media: Hints For Great Media Coverage
Has your media pitch been turned down one too many times? Whether you’re trying to make it to the cover of Canadian Business or just want your press release to go somewhere, Sequentia’s media relations experts have some great hints for media coverage.Develop a Nose for News
- Ask yourself “is this something the media will actually see as news.” A great way to ensure newsworthiness is to design media campaigns around timely issues in the headlines. For example, one of our clients, DataDepositBox, provides continuous online backup for important computer data. When the Hurricane Katrina devastation happened, our Media Relations team sent out a piece to different business media on the importance of not relying on data tapes, DVD’s and other physical backup items. And given the timeliness, the pitch was a success, receiving coverage in a number of great publications.
- It’s easier to get your story across if you’ve had some media training because you learn how to hone your key messages and focus on what really needs to be said. Journalists have no use for business jargon; they need straightforward information to get their story written, not excessive terminology.
- Keep in mind with journalists that stories need to go to their readers. It’s not about your company, it’s about their readers. A great way to approach a journalist is by providing tips and advice ( i.e. Top Five Things You Should Know)
- Anytime you have customer case studies or a quotable client, that’s a great hook. A third party expert is ideal!! (But make sure you get permission first)
- Nothing is worse than having the media agree to and set up an interview only for you to not make yourself available to attend. Barring a major family crisis, don’t skip out on an interview – ever!
- Don’t expect a response to your press release right away. Journalists on average get 200 emails a day. Hopefully you’ve got a skilled Media Relations person to help you get through the clutter, but if not, patience and persistence are a must.
Sequentia News
This month, Sequentia welcomes a number of new clients including Packet-Tel, Empress’ Secret and Altus. Our exciting work with these new clients includes a great mix of website strategy, media relations outreach and online copywriting.Congrats to our colleague and Sequentia PR Account Manager, Maggie Fairs on her successful launch event for the Media Foundation. Maggie is the Founder and Executive Director for The Media Foundation, a not-for-profit organization offering high quality seminars and events to help the voluntary sector with its communication needs. The first sold-out Media Foundation seminar was held earlier this month and the topic was “Making the Media Work For You.” For more information, visit www.themediafoundation.com or contact Maggie at 647.988.4880.
Timewaster
TV Gal:
If you live to get “Lost”, take weekly visits to Wisteria Lane, and are on a first name basis with the Gilmores, Bluths and President Bartlett, then TV Gal’s weekly column dishing on all things TV is a must read. In This Issue
October 2005
| • | Talking to the Media: Hints For Great Media Coverage |
| • | Sequentia News |
| • | Timewaster |
| • | Quick Tips |
| • | Did You Know? |
The best time to send out a press release is first thing in the morning.
Typically, journalists spend time in the morning picking out what’s going to be news for that day then pitching it to their editors. Sending something in the evening takes it off the journalist’s radar and more than likely guarantees that it won’t be picked up again.
Typically, journalists spend time in the morning picking out what’s going to be news for that day then pitching it to their editors. Sending something in the evening takes it off the journalist’s radar and more than likely guarantees that it won’t be picked up again.
Blogging as a new
PR tactic: No longer just a PR ploy by celebrities who want to keep themselves in the news, blogs are being used as a tool by savvy companies looking for that PR extra edge over their competitors. http://advertising.about
.com/od/publicrelations
resources/a/prblogs.htm
PR tactic: No longer just a PR ploy by celebrities who want to keep themselves in the news, blogs are being used as a tool by savvy companies looking for that PR extra edge over their competitors. http://advertising.about
.com/od/publicrelations
resources/a/prblogs.htm
Did you miss our last e-newsletter? Click here to read our feature on the Do's and Don'ts of e-Newsletters , the exciting news that Sequentia was named in Profit Magazine's 50 Hottest Companies for 2005, and much more!