Showing posts with label Public relations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Public relations. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Media relations

1. you are never off-the-record
2. respect journalists as professionals
3. include your contact details in your release and be on standby to take any media queries once it is released.
4. reply to media queries immediately. if you can't give an answer, tell them that you will need to get back to them in a while. return the call no later than 15 mins.
5. never say no comment

What is news?

1. It is important, current and timely.
2. Bad news sells.
3. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Controversy involving famous or important people are news.
4. Controversy
5. It affects a large segment of the population or has far-reaching effects.
6. Has some novelty value, break some record
7. Locality. If it happens overseas, it's not news here.

Hallmarks of a good media release

1. A good headline is an invitation to journalist to read the release. If it is good, the editor will use it as it is in the papers.
2. Structure of a media release is an inverted pyramid. Put the most important points in the first para.
3. Having a quote will create human interest. Have someone important say something important that is not mentioned in the body text.
4. Picture tells a thousand words. It will help you get better coverage. Send video footage if you want to get into broadcast.
5. If your media release reads like your sales literature, it will be binned by the editor. Don't sell features, sell benefits.
6. If making an annoucement, make sure it is timely.

Hallmarks of a good headline

1. readers can tell the story just by looking at it
2. usually just one line, short and sharp in seven words
3. usually contains no acronym or abbreviation
4. must be grammatically correct