TIME
It can be your friend or your enemy depending on your game plan.
The same is true for the media. TIME matters in the business of media. Everything that happens in the media is about how to manage time. Producers and reporters are always on a deadline. Time is always racing ahead. Time is always ticking away to the the deadline.
In order for you to get press and be featured in the media you need to keep TIME on your side. Use it to your advantage. You need to think about how TIMELY your story or pitch is. You need to keep TIME in mind when you are reaching out to a producer or reporter. Are you calling them when they have the most TIME to talk? Are you calling or emailing your media connection when they are on deadline? Connection at the right TIME can really pay off for you. You need to know when it is the right TIME to connect so you can actually convert that connection into an interview, segment or feature.
So, let’s review how using TIME to create great stories + pitches and also connect with the media to actually get you PRESS and MAKE HEADLINES.
TIMELY STORIES + PITCHES
TIME can be your friend when you are brainstorming on stories and pitches. There are endless story ideas that are timely.
1. NEWS
Are you watching the news and reading the newspaper, magazines or online news providers? If you are not you are missing out. I am not talking about being a news junkie but you need to be paying attention to what is happening in the world. Jumping in to connect with the media when there are stories that fit in your niche is the best way to promote what you do, be of service to a reporter or producer and add value to a story that is already making headlines. You aren’t RE-inventing the wheel. You are just adding another voice, another angle, another opinion to the story. It is all about Value Added! These stories are TIMELY. The news is always changing so the stories ideas are endless.
2. SEASONAL
The calendar is your friend. Think Holidays. Think seasons. What stories can you come up with that are connected to a special time of the year. Create your own editorial calendar with story ideas. Create an IDEA BANK. Brainstorm as many ideas and stories you can that are connected to holidays and seasons that showcase what you do in your business. If you bank all these ideas in a calendar then when you need to pull them out they will be ready and TIMELY to pitch a reporter or producer. Remember, you need to pitch these TIMELY story ideas in a TIMELY way. Don’t pitch your holiday travel story a week before Christmas for example. If you are pitching a magazine, the editorial staff are likely planning those kind of holiday stories months in advance. Television and radio producers and reporters are also likely thinking weeks or days in advance, so pitch a several weeks in advance.
3. DAYS ON THE CALENDAR
There is a special day for just about every single day of the year. There is Sibling’s Day. There is Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and even a Rocky Road Day (June 2, 2015). Check out sites like daysoftheyear.com. Find a day of the year that fits you business or your expertise. These are TIMELY and the list of story ideas and pitches are endless.
4. HEALTH + STUDIES
Health stories are a great way to jump into the discussion. There are health studies and research released on a nearly daily basis. Producers and reporters are always looking for experts to add value to these studies, they are always looking for someone to make sense of these studies and how they impact people ( their audience). Pay attention to what studies are being released. These are often TIME sensitive so be ready with those story ideas. Signing up for Google Alerts will have you stay on top of these kind of stories.
WHEN TIME IS NOT YOUR FRIEND?
TIME will not be your friend if you are calling or emailing Producers or Reporters at the wrong time of the day.
1.POINT OF CONTACT
Is there a best time to connect with a reporter or producer? YES! You need to meet them where they are. What I mean by that is know what hours they work and when their show/segment/article needs to produced or published. What is their deadline? Not everyone in the media works the same schedule. Not everyone works 9 to 5. You need to keep that in mind when you are reaching out. Some reporters work mornings. Some producers work evenings. Do your research and know who you are pitching and when it is the best time to reach out. For example, if your perfect reporter works evenings and starts their shift at 3 in the afternoon then don’t email them at 9 a.m. because it will get lost in the dozens of email that will come in before that reporter gets into the newsroom. You want to be top of the pile and top of mind so find the sweet spot time to make contact. Does your perfect producer work on a morning show? Then they likely start their day at some awful hour, like 3 a.m. so don’t call to speak with them at 9 a.m when their show is likely still on the air. Do your research. Find them on Twitter when they are actively tweeting. Email them when you know you have the best chance of connecting.
2. DEADLINE
Once you do your research it is important to know what each of your perfect reporter and producers daily deadline is. There are a few reasons for making note of their deadline. First, you want to know the timeline for producing stories and when the perfect TIME is to get your pitch in. Second, you don’t want to be calling and emailing or even tweeting a producer or reporter when they are under the stress of a deadline. They won’t be their most engaging self when they are working to get a show or article completed and out. The surest way to get on a producers bad side is to call the newsroom to speak with them when they are working on a deadline. TIME will be your enemy if you don’t pay attention to a reporters or producers deadline.
Want to get press and make headlines? Take one of these tips and implement it TODAY! Create an idea bank or editorial calendar! Pitch your perfect producer or reporter about a seasonal story, for example hook it on summer travel on a budget or top 5 attractions in your town or city. Get those ideas flowing. Pitch what you know!
Tell me which tip you implemented today. How did it go? Share in the comments below!
