dealing with the media
Dealing With The Media Tony Dolle The Consultants Group Nashville, TN, area
Things You Can Do To Get Free Publicity
1
Dealing With The Media • Press releases must have a “hook”
• Send Press Release
• “Hook” must be news • News must be timely • Press release should be written in AP Style 2
Dealing with the Media
Sponsor an Event
• Event should be open to the public • Event should be tied to a local theme/cause • Fundraisers are the best events • Involve children and/or senior citizens 3
Dealing with the Media
• Become THE Expert
• Send press release or Letter To The Editor about current event involving your area of expertise • Volunteer to speak at civic events/clubs about your area of expertise 4
Dealing with the Media
Promote Your Agency
• Tell the media about new events in your professional life • Promote your new designations • Promote your coworkers/staff • Promote events you attend (MDRT, others) 5
Dealing with the Media
• Contacting the Media
• Most prefer email contacts and receiving info the same way • Follow up emails 24 hours later with a phone call, not another email • Don’t harass reporters 6
Dealing with the Media
• Some No-Nos
• Don’t piss off the media – they buy their ink by the barrel • Don’t expect everything for free – support your local media through advertising • Don’t miss opportunities with the media 7
Dealing with the Media
Some To-Dos
• Get to know either a sales rep or reporter – familiarity breeds exempt • Take the editor to lunch • Invite the media to your events • Offer to counsel or consult with media staff 8
Dealing with the Media
• When all else fails
• Buy a subscription for you, your staff and your office • Buy an ad • Hire a professional
9
Things You Can Do To Get Free Publicity
1
Dealing With The Media • Press releases must have a “hook”
• Send Press Release
• “Hook” must be news • News must be timely • Press release should be written in AP Style 2
Dealing with the Media
Sponsor an Event
• Event should be open to the public • Event should be tied to a local theme/cause • Fundraisers are the best events • Involve children and/or senior citizens 3
Dealing with the Media
• Become THE Expert
• Send press release or Letter To The Editor about current event involving your area of expertise • Volunteer to speak at civic events/clubs about your area of expertise 4
Dealing with the Media
Promote Your Agency
• Tell the media about new events in your professional life • Promote your new designations • Promote your coworkers/staff • Promote events you attend (MDRT, others) 5
Dealing with the Media
• Contacting the Media
• Most prefer email contacts and receiving info the same way • Follow up emails 24 hours later with a phone call, not another email • Don’t harass reporters 6
Dealing with the Media
• Some No-Nos
• Don’t piss off the media – they buy their ink by the barrel • Don’t expect everything for free – support your local media through advertising • Don’t miss opportunities with the media 7
Dealing with the Media
Some To-Dos
• Get to know either a sales rep or reporter – familiarity breeds exempt • Take the editor to lunch • Invite the media to your events • Offer to counsel or consult with media staff 8
Dealing with the Media
• When all else fails
• Buy a subscription for you, your staff and your office • Buy an ad • Hire a professional
9
