Five Tips for Working with the Media

Do you ever wonder why some businesses effortlessly attract media attention? Are you unsure of how to begin gaining coverage for your business? You’re not alone. We often get questions from business owners seeking advice on how to get noticed by the media.

Media coverage is essential for brand visibility, and we’re here to guide your success.

Expect valuable insights, actionable tips, and empowering guidance to capture media opportunities and leave your mark.

Share your questions and topics; we’re here to support you at every turn!

What is media pitching, and why is it important for my business?

Media pitching strategically connects you and your business with journalists, editors, and news platforms by presenting ideas and information for stories. Persuasive pitches can garner meaningful coverage and boost your brand presence and credibility. Effective pitching understands journalist preferences, builds relationships, and adapts to current trends.

Pitching is an ongoing process and success requires research, finesse and audience awareness.

Five Considerations for Successful Media Pitching

Media pitching can be a powerful tool to get the word out about your business. You can boost your media outreach efforts and increase the likelihood of securing valuable media coverage for your brand by learning about these five key aspects of media pitching.

Research and Targeting: Identify the most relevant media outlets, journalists, and influencers in your industry or niche. Take the time to understand their interests, beats, and audience demographics. By tailoring your pitches to align with what they care about, you’ll catch their attention and pique their interest.

Value Proposition and Storytelling: The media landscape is competitive. Clearly state your business’s unique value proposition. What sets you apart from the rest? Craft a compelling and engaging story around your brand, highlighting what makes it special, innovative, or meaningful. Try to lead with a human-interest angle – stories that tug at people’s heartstrings are more likely to be considered by journalists.

Materials and Resources: Press releases, high-quality images, videos, and other relevant resources should be readily available for journalists to use. Providing these assets makes it easier for them to create valuable content and increases the likelihood of your story being featured.

Professional Communication and Assistance: Always use a professional and respectful tone. Write a subject line that captures the essence of your pitch, and in the body of the email, be clear, concise, and avoid jargon. Journalists are busy – respect their time and be prompt in responding to any inquiries or requests.

Relationship Building: Building strong and genuine relationships with journalists is a game-changer. Go beyond pitch-related interactions and engage with them on a personal level. Follow them on social media and share their work when appropriate. By establishing trust and credibility, you increase the chances of them being interested in covering your future stories.

Bonus Tip: Timing!

Timing is everything in media pitching. Keep an eye on current events, seasons, and trends, and write your pitches accordingly. A timely and relevant story is more likely to catch the media’s attention and lead to coverage.

Remember, media pitching is an ongoing process that requires patience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn and improve. By building a strong media presence, you can boost brand awareness, establish credibility, and foster business growth.

Not every pitch will result in coverage. By implementing these five key aspects of pitching, you’ll boost your chances of securing valuable media coverage for your brand.

If you want to know more about media relations and how it can work for your organization, email me at becky@myhartcomm.com  

 

My family moved here from Denver when I was 10 so I consider myself a Texas girl. I love Houston and its small-town feel and friendliness - it's a great place to own and run a business! I am a former print journalist and will always have newspaper ink running through my veins (as well as Texas Longhorn orange :)). I love U2, wine, animals, reading and movie watching. I enjoy cycling, eating out and hanging out with my family. What else would you like to know? Contact me and let's chat!