The Easiest Way to Get Media Coverage

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  1

  ennyman

  08/26/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Easiest Way to Get Media Coverage

  Yes, this is a very good tip. A couple practical matters to go along with this. There should be one "point person" to deal with media. This person can coordinate all the resources of the company to benefit of a journalist/editor, etc. Also, the point person needs to assume responsibility for training all managers in the importance of FAST turnaround on information for the media. Usually the call for a detail or data or product sample is at the very last minute. You don't have a week to respond....
  
  The first question I always ask any editor or writer who contacts us with questions is, "What is the deadline for this information?" Once you show that you can deliver good content fast, you become the go to guy for future stories. This has been my experience.

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  monica.oltean

  08/26/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Easiest Way to Get Media Coverage

  I agree that is a very good tip. I was faced at my last job with a problem regarding respecting the deadlines given by the journalists I worked with. My boss often considered unimportant responding to their questions or interviews. Then she complained that we don't have enough coverage. Well...if you don't give those journalists the materials when you promised then they won't ask you again...

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  3

  cbowen2

  08/26/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Easiest Way to Get Media Coverage

  This is absolutely right, and I'll add one more thing -
  if the reporter needs help locating a resource, help,
  even if there's no immediate benefit to your
  organization.
  
  Years ago, I was Communications Director at a think
  tank in Washington, DC. If a reporter called in wanting
  an expert to comment on some breaking news story,
  and I didn't have anyone at my organization covering
  that issue, I didn't just say, oh sorry, we don't have
  anyone and hang up. I got him an expert, even if it
  meant getting someone from a competing think tank,
  or the State Department, or wherever. Like Macy's
  sending shoppers to Gimbels in that old Christmas
  classic - we got more business than ever.

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  4

  kquintanilla

  08/26/08 | Report as spam

  RE: The Easiest Way to Get Media Coverage

  Agreed... I am a PR person by trade but recently began writing articles for a local media outlet. I just assumed that every PR person, CEO, or other designated point person jumped when contacted by a journalist, but that is not the case by any means. I've had people not return my calls or emails when I contact them for quotes or info for very positive pieces that would basically be a free ad for the company. Why WOULDN'T you take advantage of that??