Last updated on Jul 7, 2024

Here's how you can generate publicity and coverage for an event by effectively communicating with the media.

Generating buzz for your event starts with a solid media strategy. Begin by identifying the target audience and the media outlets they frequent. Create a media list with contacts from relevant publications, blogs, radio stations, and TV channels. Tailor your approach to each medium, considering their unique audiences and content styles. Remember, personalization is key; generic pitches are easily overlooked. Your strategy should outline what makes your event newsworthy, the key messages you want to communicate, and the timeline for outreach to maximize media coverage before, during, and after the event.

1 Crafting a Pitch

Your pitch to the media is crucial. It should be concise, engaging, and newsworthy. Start with a compelling subject line for emails that piques interest. The body of your pitch should quickly answer who, what, when, where, and why your event matters. Offer exclusives or unique angles to stand out. Follow up respectfully if you don't hear back, but avoid being pushy. A well-crafted pitch can open the door to interviews, feature articles, and event listings that reach potential attendees and elevate your event's profile.

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Renee Barbee

VP of Marketing & Operations at La Nueva Voz, Pomona
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First you need to get the word out via social media and sending emails to make sure everyone you know is aware of the event and making sure that flyers are made, posting on all social media platforms and scheduling the event for a day and time that works for all concerned. Be kind and considerate to everyone you meet. Networking is a big + in this field.

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2 Press Material

Create press materials that are easily accessible and informative. A press kit should include a press release with all the essential details of your event, high-resolution images, and any relevant background information about the event or speakers. Host this on your event website or a cloud-based platform for easy sharing. Make sure to include contact information for media inquiries. Providing comprehensive, ready-to-publish material can significantly increase the chances of your event being covered.

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3 Social Media Savvy

Leverage social media to connect with journalists and influencers who can amplify your event's reach. Use platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to engage with media professionals by sharing content related to your event and participating in relevant conversations. Tagging and direct messaging can be effective, but always be respectful and provide value. Social media is also a great way to share behind-the-scenes content and live updates, which can pique media interest and generate real-time coverage.

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4 Networking Events

Don't underestimate the power of face-to-face interactions. Attend industry networking events, press conferences, and other relevant gatherings to personally connect with media representatives. Bring business cards and a brief, memorable pitch about your event. Personal relationships can lead to better media engagement and coverage. Plus, these connections can be invaluable for future events, creating a lasting network of media contacts.

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5 Monitoring Coverage

Once you've initiated your media outreach, monitor the coverage closely. Set up Google Alerts or use social media monitoring tools to track mentions of your event. Respond promptly to any media inquiries and be ready to provide additional information or arrange interviews as needed. Monitoring allows you to measure the effectiveness of your communication efforts and make real-time adjustments to your strategy if necessary.

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Tammy Sue H.

Real Estate Investor, Editor / Author, Entrepreneur, Optimist, Shutterbug, Former Educator,
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Great tips here! Here are a few more tips, in my opinion and expertise, that may help getting coverage for your event with the media: 1. Introduce yourself to them and find the correct point of contact. Build rapport with a couple journalists or an editor. Often, email is a good place to start. 2. Submit an authentic story, a human interest type of article about your event that doesn't just sound like a standard press release. See what format they want it submitted in. (Word doc?) 3. Include good quality photographs for attention (typically 300dpi minimum)- be sure to have a caption written for the photos. Insure your photos meet their specifications and are not low resolution phone pictures. Don't forget: who, what, where, when, why. :)

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Janice Bondurant

Podcaster, unemployed actor.
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I would really like to see a specific PR/media campaign for non-professional theatrical productions. Maybe that’s too specific? But I used most of the above advice when I was doing Publicity for a community theatre, and it seemed almost impossible to get coverage. A board member who followed me was more successful, but it seemed only due to her having been an employee at the local newspaper. Is that a common thing? I tried very hard to reach out to the columnist at the time to connect personally, but was ignored. Perhaps I needed a different approach?

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Here's how you can generate publicity and coverage for an event by effectively communicating with the media.

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Crafting a Pitch

2 Press Material

3 Social Media Savvy

4 Networking Events

5 Monitoring Coverage

6 Here’s what else to consider

Event Planning

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Here's how you can generate publicity and coverage for an event by effectively communicating with the media.

1

2

3

4

5

6

1 Crafting a Pitch

2 Press Material

3 Social Media Savvy

4 Networking Events

5 Monitoring Coverage

6 Here’s what else to consider

Event Planning

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