Connecting with journalists

Media Relations – Ruth

Journalists get a lot of stuff.

• Think strategically about the media list
• Develop media relations
• Identify the people who already cover your issue!
• Strike up a dialogue with person.
• Plan ahead.
• Court Reporters
  • offer your knowledge/expertise
  • ask them about their interests/expertise

Your media list shouldn't stay static.

• be intentional about updating the media list.

If someone isn't responding, move on.

hustle.is

Define “newsworthy”

• prominence
• significance
• timeliness
• Someone (ED) saying they are excited about something is NOT news.

Press Releases

• should be fact/ data driven
• the facts speak for itself. No Fluff
• Paragraph vs. FAQs
• Make it as easy as possible for journalists to get info
• Send press releases to the journalists directly
• Send press release in the body of the email. No attachments!

“Dear Media Partner's Here is our press release regarding ….... More information is available upon request. Contact Info”

Standard: 400 words

• Give when, where, how, quote
• Idea is to get reporter to want to talk to you
• Don't assume media has fact checkers
• embargo: send press release until specific date
• exclusive: when you give your story to 1 journalist
• think of press release as an elevator pitch
• introduce yourself to reporters & do your research on them