Newsday Media Group’s Post

Tip of the day: If you’re trying to get media coverage, there are two secret times during the day you need to know. 🤫 They happen *twice a day* on weekdays in almost every newsroom. It’s when you’ll have your best shot to get a pitch to a news outlet either ✅ or 🚫. They’re the daily news meetings. And they happen like clockwork. 🕥 When reporters, editors, producers, assignment editors, managers, photographers, digital media staff, interns and other newsroom staff gather to decide what will be in the newspaper, the newscasts, and the homepage. You want your pitch to be mentioned in those meetings. 🤞 Generally, they start between: ➡️ *9a-10a* for dayside shift ➡️ *1:30p-2:30p* for nightside shift So, if you want to be considered for that day’s news coverage, you need to get your pitches sent in time for those meetings. Of course, there are exceptions. And this is where building relationships with journalists is key. Now you know the secret times of the M-F news meetings. What have you pitched lately to help keep your community informed? #journalism #mediatraining #storypitching (📸 Isabel Epstein)

Does your #story #pitch have a human connection? I recently provided #mediaconsulting services to a municipality that wanted to get #news #coverage for its new branding. I asked them why a reporter would be interested in their story. The reps shared with me the nuts and bolts and stats but failed to humanize the story (boring). To make your #story standout, share it from a human-interest standpoint. Let the reporter (public) know how the story will impact them. Finding a way to connect with the audience on a personal level makes for a more interesting story and will grab the attention of assignments editors, news directors and reporters. Let me help you tell your "interesting" story. #mediatraining #mediacoaching #interviewpreparation #cameraready

Part of my job as a Public Information Officer is to field reporter questions and inquiries. This is something I don't mind doing because as a former tv news producer, I like to be able to help producers and reporters if I can. I understand what it is like to have a story die and change direction with a deadline only two hours away or what it is like when no one involved with the topic will talk. I keep that in mind when reporters are in a hurry or seem a little bothered. Charlotte Hawkins did a good job of teaching me to never take things personal when someone is acting a certain way. Reporters and prodcuers are stressed beyond belief. However, reporter friends entering the tv news industry, do not ask PIOs questions you can answer yourself with a quick look at an agency's website or by doing a quick google search. If you see something you think is a story, research it before you pitch it and get assigned to it. If you don't, there is a good chance the PIO will just give you a statement, opposed to a camera interview, because the questions you asked have been answered before or they are simply answers you could find on your own. Help us help you. Do your research and formulate questions from the information that is out there. #Reporters #publicinformation #government #televisionnews #news #inquiries #research

Reporter/Stenographer Poll: Do you consider the input of your scopists and/or proofreaders, specifically when it comes to what jobs you accept as the reporter? For various reasons, reporters accept and reject jobs. For various reasons, scopists and proofreaders accept and reject jobs. What if your scopists and/or proofreaders are advising the reporter to back out of a job for several valid reasons? Do you listen? Do you consider their opinion? Ultimately, the team wants the reporter to succeed and be at their best. Do you consider what’s best and reasonable for your team? Thoughts?

Landing your first byline is one of the most daunting challenges for early-career journalists. Cristiana Bedei offers guidance on how to do it:

I'm leaning into LOCAL. Did you ever consider that the writers, editors, reporters, layout team, and production staff employed by local media are your neighbors? As such, their interests are aligned with your own, seeking to report on meaningful news that will inform your everyday. When connecting the dots between community members --> journalists, magic happens. Local news media is...your news media. And, they depend on your support. If you don't already, please consider subscribing to your local papers (digital or print) and follow their social channels. This effort will help to keep local media strong. ❤️ #journalismmatters #journalism #PR #news

TV journalists are jumping ship, as the local news Titanic is sinking quickly. So why should you hire a journalist? For starters, they are some of the most creative, hardest-working people I know. Want to know what they can do in just ONE day??? 👉 Reporters get a story in the morning, and become mini-experts in just a few hours. They pick up the phone, cold call, and chase people down for information or clarification. They do pre-interviews, then schedule and conduct the actual interview.....working to get all sides of the story. 👉Next, they take all that info, and break it down into bite size information that their audience will understand. They know how to find the compelling soundbites, writing copy in a matter of minutes that's engaging & captivating. 👉 Up next is working with the graphics department, voicing and editing their story, and working on content for the TV stations website. And then the final story hits the airwaves and the internet. That's just ONE day....with ONE story. Most reporters turn multiple stories a day. If you want something done, hire a journalist. After all, we love a good deadline!

In case you are interested

3 things that helps get press coverage, number 3 is the most important… People think that ‘it’s hard to get press coverage’… …It is if your content isn’t newsworthy. One of my clients got press coverage worth almost R1M Here's how we did it: 1: The trend is your friend → Responding to breaking news, with our unique message 2: Serving usable press content → Writing stories, not press releases, so that it’s easier to use in a newsroom 3: Showing up when journos call → The Newscycle waits for no one ↪ When journalists come calling for soundbites, comments, or on air interviews, we avail ourselves as a priority Pay attention to what’s happening in the news, show up, and be accountable to reporters and editors who are willing to use your content. P.S. I help business owners get press coverage and media exposure for their businesses, if you need to drive awareness about your business, send me a DM.

The Editor’s Role in Story Selection The reporter is not the only person to decide. If a journalist is interested in your story, they will pitch it to their editor. Editors decide the story’s merit and article type. Journalists gather information, compare companies, study market stats, and consult experts. Knowing this process helps you provide valuable information to journalists. #MediaStrategy #EditorialProcess #StoryPitching