To buildup a strong PR for your business or organization, you need to build a good relationship with reporters. It is one of the most important things to do to elevate your PR professional. The media has huge power, whether it’s traditional or TV media.
Public relations agency New York has several ways for your brand to gain credibility. It also manages a good reputation of your brand and can dictate your feeling to the public organically. Social engagement is the key priority to gain the trust of your target audience. You can get the potential popularity for your story by having a good relationship with the media and journalists.
Make sure to avail the opportunity if a journalist shows interest in your story. Give complete coverage of your high-quality brand. Don’t forget to portray all the positive sides of your company. Keep reading this article to learn about media relations’ do’s and don’ts.
Do’s and Don’ts of Media Relation
While building relations with media, there are some of the do’s and don’ts that you should keep in mind. These key factors will help a brand to gain better credibility and benefit from media. Some of the do’s and don’ts are:
Do a lot of Research
Before beginning the relationship with the media, you should know everything about them. Knowing their beat is essential to choose the reporter for your brand. Furthermore, you should know their niche and the topics they cover the most.
For instance, if your brand has some tech-related services or products. Find a journalist who mostly covers this topic.
Moreover, knowing their beat and Researching them will help you understand what kind of articles they write. Keep track of the angles they prefer in their articles. Some journalists prefer the emotional side of your story, while others focus more on the product’s specifications.
All this Research can bring out a lot of information. They are important to begin a strong relationship with them, and you can initiate pitching your product or service.
Don’t Send Generic Pitches
On average, journalists and media reporters receive hundreds or thousands of emails and pitches from brands. You have to be unique from them. Avoid any generic pitches and common stories that are widely available.
Instead, make a unique and memorable piece of art. Create a story or pitch that your competitors will find difficult to compete with or duplicate. This idea will make you stand unique from others. Journalists and media reporters will definitely opt for your piece over other common stories.
Do Follow Up Differently
It’s okay to send another email. But wait for a few days before your second mail. Send a unique email that should be different from your previous one. You can also reply to your original pitch and add another engaging introduction in your new mail. Mention their recent story and add a short but appealing second pitch for your brand and service.
All these additions will add more value to your story. They will surely consider you a pest and approach you.
Don’t Spam your Pitch
Your pitch should be unique and personalized. A generalized message will add zero value to your product and increases the chance of rejection. Moreover, it’s impossible to write a pitching mail that you can send to every person and appeal to them.
A pitch should be customized and crafted according to different individuals based on their interests and beat. This means that every pitching mail should have something to target the interest of the reporters. You have to consider all the likes and dislikes of your targeted media person to get approval for your story.
Do Networking
Networking is essential to establish a strong yet beneficial media relationship. It’s a great opportunity to connect with potential investors, partners or even journalists. These journalists might be interested in covering your story. They will be the route for you to approach your target audience.
Don’t forget to dress professionally and bring your business cards. Be confident in front of them and give a brief pitch about your company along with an effective introduction of yourself.
Don’t be Afraid to Negotiate
Don’t hesitate to negotiate if a journalist or media person has approached you. This will allow them to approach you for more articles in future. Your flexibility can make a huge difference. Negotiating is not always about money. You can benefit greatly by negotiating in timings or events of your content.
Make sure to keep your story accurate and honest. It should maintain the interest of its readers. Negotiating can help you to portray your story in the best possible way. Media outlets know what’s best for the audience and you.
Do Prepare Yourself
It is important to do some preparation before the interview. List down all the key points of your story to keep them remembered during the interview. These small preparations can make a huge difference. Journalists or media outlets will be impressed. This enhances their relationship with you for future articles.
It is important to understand that pitching doesn’t mean you tell every piece of information about your company. There should be some confidentiality in your company. While pitching, make sure to add only relevant information about your product and service. Make sure to convey the same information during an interview or public interaction.
Final Thoughts
Media relations can make a huge difference and create awareness about your brand in much better ways. However, it is important for you to follow up on the dos and don’ts of media relations to get started on the right foot. This will help you create effective and long-lasting media relations.
Keep in mind that a good relationship with journalists and media outlets takes time. But in the end, it’s all worth it as they offer a number of benefits. We hope you will consider all these factors before initiating your bond with the media.
