On Saturday Feb. 22, the Baton Rouge Area of Black Journalist (BRAABJ) held a workshop about media relations and how to get your story in the news. The workshop was broken down into three sessions: how to get on the news or in the news, how to write a news release, and how to conduct yourself during an interview. Each session was spearheaded by a BRAABJ executive board member and accompanied by a panel of professionals that they hand selected. The room was full of people from various organizations that were clamoring for the secrets of how to get media coverage. The room was silent with only the noise of the panelist's voice as people wrote furiously trying to take down as much in formation as they could. I took plenty of notes of which I wish to share a few from each session that stood out to me the most.
How to get on the news or in the news:
When pitching your story, think about these questions, how does it impact the community?, who is the producer I need to contact?, and which show should I pitch my event/story to?, according to Cheryl Story, WBRZ Morning Show producer and BRAABJ vice president. Story also says to inform the station a month in advance of your event. Shows are scheduled a month in advance and need that time to work out the logistics on their end.
The number one secret to getting on or in the news is to have food at your event, reporters love free food, as shared by WAFB web producer and BRAABJ president, Michelle McCalope. Mention that you have free food at the event in your press release or pitch, even if you only plan on feeding the press for free at your event. That can make a significant difference in whether or not your event gets media coverage and is definitely worth the investment. McCalope says to follow-up with one to two phone calls after you send your information in. Call a few days after sending the press release or pitch and then again before the event to confirm. Even if you don't have an event scheduled, send the news information about your organization to allow them to become familiar with who you are.
Sometimes earned media can be a competitive hassle to face so remember that the media wants to make money, as Todd Sterling, owner of Alpha Media and Public Relations and BRAABJ Parliamentarian, reminded the room. If your budget allows for it, then by all means buy a spot. Don't be afraid to build a media budget. Sterling says that traffic ads are not that expensive and worth the money.
How to write a news release:
When you begin to write your press release always start with K.I.S.S, which stands for Keep It Simple Stupid says Sterling. Keep it to one page, reporters and producers are busy and only want the highlights because they have to filter through plenty of press releases.
CEO of SGI Cares, Sevetri Wilson shares her key tips to press release writing and media relations that she used to help her company blossom into a top competitor.
1. Be real and be relevant
2. Have people proof read
3. Update contacts
4. Build relationships
5. Do your homework
6. Know the difference between a pitch and a press release
7. Send your press release to other places besides traditional media
There were a few tips that the whole panel agreed were most important, which were building relationships, doing your homework, and having accurate information in the press release.
How to conduct yourself during an interview:
Cumulus Media Inc. Production Manager, LaTangela Fey Sherman, says to " limit the "um" and long pauses," those can kill even the most compelling story and will make for an unsuccessful interview. She also stresses to be punctual and animated in your interview.
McCalope also shared a few Do's and Don'ts of interviewing.
Do's:
1. Dress nice
2. Avoid information overload
3. Wear yellows or blues for camera
4. Tell a story
5. Be nice
Don'ts:
1. Use jargon
2. Do an interview if you are not comfortable or properly prepared for it
3. Wear patterns, white or black
4. Read from notes
5. Say anything that you want to keep confidential because nothing is off record
I hope that these tips were as helpful to you as they were to be. Remember to always send a thank you and be grateful to your media contact. Hope to see your story on the news soon.
How to get on the news or in the news:
When pitching your story, think about these questions, how does it impact the community?, who is the producer I need to contact?, and which show should I pitch my event/story to?, according to Cheryl Story, WBRZ Morning Show producer and BRAABJ vice president. Story also says to inform the station a month in advance of your event. Shows are scheduled a month in advance and need that time to work out the logistics on their end.
The number one secret to getting on or in the news is to have food at your event, reporters love free food, as shared by WAFB web producer and BRAABJ president, Michelle McCalope. Mention that you have free food at the event in your press release or pitch, even if you only plan on feeding the press for free at your event. That can make a significant difference in whether or not your event gets media coverage and is definitely worth the investment. McCalope says to follow-up with one to two phone calls after you send your information in. Call a few days after sending the press release or pitch and then again before the event to confirm. Even if you don't have an event scheduled, send the news information about your organization to allow them to become familiar with who you are.
Sometimes earned media can be a competitive hassle to face so remember that the media wants to make money, as Todd Sterling, owner of Alpha Media and Public Relations and BRAABJ Parliamentarian, reminded the room. If your budget allows for it, then by all means buy a spot. Don't be afraid to build a media budget. Sterling says that traffic ads are not that expensive and worth the money.
How to write a news release:
When you begin to write your press release always start with K.I.S.S, which stands for Keep It Simple Stupid says Sterling. Keep it to one page, reporters and producers are busy and only want the highlights because they have to filter through plenty of press releases.
CEO of SGI Cares, Sevetri Wilson shares her key tips to press release writing and media relations that she used to help her company blossom into a top competitor.
1. Be real and be relevant
2. Have people proof read
3. Update contacts
4. Build relationships
5. Do your homework
6. Know the difference between a pitch and a press release
7. Send your press release to other places besides traditional media
There were a few tips that the whole panel agreed were most important, which were building relationships, doing your homework, and having accurate information in the press release.
How to conduct yourself during an interview:
Cumulus Media Inc. Production Manager, LaTangela Fey Sherman, says to " limit the "um" and long pauses," those can kill even the most compelling story and will make for an unsuccessful interview. She also stresses to be punctual and animated in your interview.
McCalope also shared a few Do's and Don'ts of interviewing.
Do's:
1. Dress nice
2. Avoid information overload
3. Wear yellows or blues for camera
4. Tell a story
5. Be nice
Don'ts:
1. Use jargon
2. Do an interview if you are not comfortable or properly prepared for it
3. Wear patterns, white or black
4. Read from notes
5. Say anything that you want to keep confidential because nothing is off record
I hope that these tips were as helpful to you as they were to be. Remember to always send a thank you and be grateful to your media contact. Hope to see your story on the news soon.