Home
>
Public Relations
>
10 Ways to Get the Media to Love You

10 Ways to Get the Media to Love You

So you've put yourself "out there" with a public relations campaign. Your dealings with the media now become critical. Those relationships with the media can make or break your public relations efforts. Here's how to get the media to love you:

1. When the media calls, stop what you are doing and give them your full attention. That's right. Maybe you're having lunch. Or in a meeting. I advise my clients to say to others around them "I only allow interruptions when the media calls."

2. Treat the media like gold. Answer their questions in a forthcoming manner, in a respectful, pleasant tone. Do not disparage others and be careful about making negative comments. Do not lie or provide exaggerated claims. Just like you, media people appreciate those who take the "high road".

3. Be realistic about coverage. A reporter can interview you for an hour and you might only have one line in the media. Or none. Depending on how the story goes or space available or the editor's whim, any of the above can happen. The reporters owe you nothing for your time. Take this in stride and be pleasant and understanding in future dealings with them.

4. Lose control. You have control over advertising; you have minimal control over PR. That's the difference between paying for something and not paying for it. A media piece may not contain the "story" that you would like covered. It may focus on an angle you don't like. The reporter determines what angle to use, depending on his/her needs and information you provide. It also probably won't be 100% accurate. If it is 90% accurate, you're doing great. Take this in stride and don't complain to the reporter.

5. Stop complaining. Sometimes, after a phone interview, you will be misquoted. Unless it is truly a libelous or slanderous comment, you should take it in stride. DO NOT decide to complain to the reporter, or you will certainly not be getting any press, at least not favorable, in that media again.

6. Give several contact numbers, including day, night and weekend, to the media (including vacation/out-of-town contact info). The press waits for no one.

7. Be realistic about when the media will cover you. Typically, daily newspapers, radio and TV have a one-day to three-month coverage window. Magazines have a 2-3 month to one-year window. The lead times vary depending on editorial calendars, seasonal coverage and breaking news. In addition, the media chooses when they want to run a story; you have little control over when they run it, unless it is tied in with a timely event, such as a holiday. While you would love to see yourself or your organization on the 6 o'clock news or the front-page of the business section, the media may have other stories slotted for those options, or they may need to fill a space in another segment. Similarly, you might want your story to run immediately, but the media may hold it for months, if there is no urgency in running it.

8. Pick up your own copies of your articles or tapes. Do not ask the reporter for a copy. They will be offended! Pick up a copy of the publication or call the media outlet to order a copy or tape.

9. Spend time reading, listening to the radio and watching TV. These activities are a part of most of our days. And if you plan on "pitching" a particular media outlet, research it first (that means reading a publication, listening to the radio or watching that particular show, even if you generally wouldn't). Once you do your research, you will have a better idea of the types of stories they cover, and also what has already been covered. Remember, the more you understand what the media likes to cover, the more likely that you will create great media angles that the media loves.

10. Thank them. Media people, just like you, enjoy a pat on the back once in a while. And no one can ever get too many thank-yous. And to be remembered even more, put it in writing.

By putting effort into developing media relationships, you'll increase your chances of current and future public relations success.

Margie Fisher is President of Margie Fisher Public Relations. The information in this article was excerpted from her Do-It-Yourself Public Relations Kit?. For more information and more free articles, visit http://www.margiefisher.com.

one time home cleaning Highland Park ..

In The News:

Privacy risks are hiding in plain sight, as your personal data is likely being collected, tracked, and sold without your knowledge.

VenHub, a fully autonomous, AI-powered smart store just opened at the LAX/Metro Transit Center in Los Angeles.

A woman's Facebook account takeover reveals dangerous social engineering tactics and provides lessons on recovery, avoiding scams and enacting stronger security measures.

Shanghai engineers are using 432 walking robots to relocate a complex, preserving Shikumen architecture while creating space for a modern underground hub and cultural center.

Major healthcare data analytics firm Episource had a cybersecurity incident exposing 5 million patients' medical records and personal information in recent breach.

A new sophisticated PayPal scam sends legitimate-looking emails from official PayPal addresses, using phone numbers instead of links to convince victims to download remote access tools.

Fox News' AI Newsletter brings you the latest on this rapidly evolving technology.

The innovative Kara Pod device extracts moisture from air to create mineral-rich water and brew coffee, featuring UV sterilization and compatibility with Nespresso pods.

Gov. Hochul unveiled New York's nuclear power plant project to power a million homes, which faces permit challenges while promising jobs and a cleaner energy future.

SAFE introduces Aerie, an underground luxury bunker combining high-end living with advanced security, wellness amenities and interactive walls simulating panoramic views.

A Facebook scammer posing as Elon Musk tricked a victim with promises of a Tesla and $250,000, requesting gift cards that become untraceable once the codes are shared.

Experience hands-free golfing with the Robera Neo smart caddie that uses AI to follow you, navigate obstacles and carry your clubs with GPS course mapping.

Cybersecurity alert: 16 billion passwords exposed in massive credential database affecting major platforms. Protect your accounts with password managers

The innovative BeBot robot uses electric power to remove pollution from shorelines, covering 20-30 times more area than manual collection while preserving wildlife.

A new ClickFix campaign targets macOS users with fake Spectrum support sites, tricking victims with CAPTCHA failures to paste commands that install information-stealing malware.

AI-powered autonomous trucks from Plus Automation are being tested across the U.S., Europe and Asia to solve logistics challenges while facing regulatory hurdles and labor concerns.

Your health information might feel private and secure with your doctor, but the reality is far more complicated. Data brokers collect a wide range of sensitive health data, from diagnoses and prescription details to personal identifiers, and sell this data to marketers, insurers, and other third parties.

Kepler Robotics has officially introduced its Forerunner K2 "Bumblebee" humanoid robot at the SAIC-GM automotive plant in Shanghai, marking a significant moment in the real-world deployment of advanced robotics.

Scammers never seem to be running out of new ways to try and get their hands on your money – and lately, they've been getting sophisticated.

Thirty people were injured and killed, though the exact number remains currently unknown, when a suicide bomber blew himself up in a Damascus church.

Unexpected password reset alerts signal potential hacking attempts or phishing scams. Learn how to respond and establish stronger security measures for your accounts.

A historic electric airplane flight landed at JFK with passengers, marking a milestone as Beta Technologies demonstrates the practicality and efficiency of electric air travel.

The Chaos ransomware group breached Optima Tax Relief in a double-extortion attack, stealing sensitive customer case files and corporate documents with personal information.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The first human brain-computer interface by Paradromics was completed in 20 minutes, featuring microelectrodes to help paralyzed individuals control computers with thoughts.