6 Secrets to Successful Media Relations
Are you a business owner doing your best to master media relations? Media relations are important for all kinds of reasons, including building a strong and positive company reputation in the industry and the community, building brand awareness, helping to create authenticity, and fostering relationships with customers and partners. It’s not the kind of thing you want to make guesses with and it’s important to nail the media relations from the start.
If you’ve been struggling with media relations, these six secrets of success can help you to turn things around.
Know the Audience
Because every news organization is unique with its audience, you must recognize this fact when tailoring your message. The message needs to resonate with the readers/viewers of that media channel and it has to be of substance to them. What can be especially helpful in trying to appeal to a specific audience is to personalize the message whenever possible.
Always Stand Behind Your Promises
When you make promises or commitments to the media, you will need to be sure you uphold your end of the deal. If you’ve promised an interview of a specific employee such as the CEO by a certain date, you need to follow through.
Make It a Habit to Reach Out
You also can’t expect the media to always be taking the initiative and coming to you. Be sure to touch base with them whenever you have any news, developments, announcements, and so forth. It can also be helpful to stay in touch even if you don’t have a pending announcement. Nurturing that relationship can end up getting you more coverage.
Anecdotes Can Help Hammer Home a Message
If your problem is that you find it difficult to convey a specific message then it’s time to look at things differently. Telling an anecdote or a relevant story within your press release can help ensure your news gets picked up. It’s this approach that captures the attention of viewers/readers and journalists will be on the lookout for this.
Ensure You are Available to the Media
Whether it’s you or another point person, someone needs to be available to the media to answer questions, provide data and information and quotes when needed. Media outlets don’t like to wait around, and if they are on a tight deadline they don’t have the option of waiting.
It’s Okay to Ask for Help
The final secret is to recognize when you’re in over your head and that you need help. You can learn the basics of media relations from the experts at MerrittGroup. Just because you aren’t a media relations wizard it doesn’t mean you have to throw in the towel, instead, it makes sense to bring in those with the needed experience and expertise.
On the Road to Success
By using each of these secrets to their fullest potential, you’ll be setting your company up for huge success. Suddenly becoming a media relations pro doesn’t sound so impossible after all. Remember, practice makes perfect, so it will take time to hone your skills and knowledge.
