Want to promote your business? And what you do?
Want to get more street ? Want to be considered an expert in your field or industry?
One of they ways to do that is by getting press! You want to be featured on television and radio or featured in a magazine or newspaper article. Jump into the conversation happening in the news. Maybe you have an opinion on a particular issue that is a hot topic in the news. Or maybe you are a leading expert or influencer or thought leader in your particular field or industry. You can add value, expertise, knowledge and know-how to the conversation.
How do you do that, you ask?
You need to connect with the media. You need to reach out and connect with a reporter or producer or editor. They are always looking for stories. They want to tell news stories, different opinions, and perspectives. Reporters and producers are always looking for fresh voices and leading experts to add value to a story or advance a story to keep it fresh, moving and interesting to their audience.
There are a number of ways to do that, but here are just FIVE ways to connect and GET PRESS.
1. Social Media
Get social and connect. Just about every publication – whether newspaper or magazine and show – whether television or radio – is on Twitter. Reporters and producers are there too. They are there to connect with their audience, but they are also there searching for stories and experts. Find reporters and producers by doing a search. Think news. Think niche. Think popular. Think what you like. Think about your target audience, client or customer. Look for them and follow shows, publications, producers, editors, reporters and writers. You want to connect and pitch them. Tell them who you are, what you do and why your story is worth telling.
2. More Social Media + follow the Hashtags
#HARO #helpareporterout #mediacoverage #journalism #Journchat #chatsalad – just a few of the hashtags you want to remember if you are looking for people in the media to pitch to.
#journchat/@journchat – This is a twitter chat held on Monday nights 7-8 Central. This where a lot of journalists, RP peeps and the like hang out and chat about stories and issues in the industry. They talk shop. It is a good place to go to find the people you want to follow and pitch.
#ChatSalad/@ChatSalad – you get a real time list of all the Twitter chats, when and where
@Sourcebottle (www.sourcebottle.com) – Follow this Twitter handle to see what reporters are looking for. They Tweet out reporter queries in an effort to help reporters connect with sources and experts. You can also sign up for free on the website!
This is a great tool to connect reporters find expert sources for their stories. HARO connects experts and reporters. It is exactly what the name says… you are helping a reporter out. The best way for reporters to tell great stories is to have great content, great experts, and great interviews.
4.WeFollow
This is a Twitter directory created by Digg founder Kevin Rose. You can find journalists, news professionals, and experts. To get added, users pick the three hashtags they want to be listed under and then tweet the results to submit the listings. This is a great place to research!
5. Email
Go the direct route and email the reporter or producer. You don’t have their email addy’s you say? That can usually be found on the station’s website. There is often a directory of reporters/staff. Remember do your research to find out who the people are who you should connect with. There is no point in emailing someone who has NO interest or need for your particular expertise.
Most television shows still roll credits listing everyone in the newsroom or working on a particular show. Many stations only run credits on Friday, for example at the end of the Friday 6 o’clock newscast. This is a great way for you to find out who works on what.
When I was a producer & Editor I appreciated brief and to the point emails. Tell them who you are, why you are reaching out and how they can get in touch with you. Do follow up because media folks are busy and get easily caught up in the work of the day.
6. Phone – going old school
This is a tried and true method, but it can be tricky if you don’t know the reporter or producer. Cold calls, as they are called, are hard to do. Reporters and producers are usually on a tight timeline and are often working on a deadline so calling and catching them at a good time to chat can be hard, BUT it is doable. I would say try making contact via the other ways mentioned FIRST. Introduce yourself first and then build a relationship with the reporter or producer first and then a phone call follows later. NEVER call reporters and producers just before a show, they will have not time to talk and you will be sure to find yourself on their bad side.
There is no sense in knowing how to connect with the media if you don’t put it into action. Take just one of these tips and reach out. Find a reporter or producer and reach out and connect. Pitch them! Find out how to best help a reporter and producer to tell great stories.
ACTION STEP:
Your task for today is to log on to twitter and follow THREE reporters or producers related to your niche or industry. For example, if you are a health coach or fitness expert, find THREE reporters or producers who work for health related shows or magazines. Easy Peasy! You can do this. If you do this every week ( or every day if you are a real keener) you will build a solid base of media contacts you can ultimately pitch to!
Be sure to tell us how you did. Be sure to share your stories, successes and best practices in the comments below.
