Journalism’s Post

Ever go to a networking event and waste time talking to the wrong people? Like the chatty bartender with the awesome martinis? Of course. The same is true when it comes to pitching a great story to the wrong reporter. Jaffe strongly recommends you do your research and learn as much as you can about a targeted publication and its readership. Then, craft your pitch in a way that highlights the newsworthiness of your story and how it can be direct and immediate interest to their readers/viewers. And, yes, we have some more tips for you: - Start by identifying the right journalist to pitch. Use a media database like Cision or Meltwater to find journalists who cover your industry or topic of interest. Paid databases are expensive, opposed to free stuff from Google. So partner with a firm like Jaffe that invests in the right subscriptions. - Read your targeted journalist's recent articles to get a sense of their interests and writing style. This will help you tailor your pitch accordingly. - Keep your pitch concise and to the point. Reporters are busy and somewhat cantankerous people, so get to the point quickly before they press "delete" or hang up on you. - Be specific and provide examples. Don't just say that your story is "interesting" or "newsworthy." Tell the journalist why it is of interest to their audience and provide specific examples. - Make it easy for the journalist to follow up. Include your contact information in your pitch and offer to provide additional information if needed. And respond immediately - even if it is a random Sunday and it looks like the Jets are driving at the 20. - And follow up! It's not unusual for journalists to receive hundreds of pitches every day. So, it's important to follow up with them a few days after you send your pitch. This shows that you're serious about your story and that you're willing to work with them to make it a success. Here's how we do it in-house: - Jaffe's account managers send a follow-up email a few days after an initial pitch. In the follow-up email, we politely remind the journalist of the pitch and offer to provide additional information if needed. - If we don't hear back from the journalist after a week, we send a second follow-up email. However, we are careful not to be too pushy! If we don't hear back from the journalist after a second follow-up, it's best to move on. If the journalist does respond to us....Yippee! We are always responsive to their requests and provide them with the information they need. And we always, always thank them for their time and consideration. This is our tried-and-true strategy to get stories published on behalf of our terrific clients. Check out other master classes at www.jaffecom.com. #publicrelations #prtips #masterclass

After managing media relationships for 7 years, and having been a TV news producer before that, I’ve picked up a few things about making and maintaining positive media connections. Here’s what I’ve learned about becoming a trusted source for my media peeps: ⚡ Know your media: understand the differences between print, online, and broadcast. Each has its own audience, needs and challenges. ⚡Build targeted lists: skip the outdated databases. Dive into Google, find the right journalists and follow their work. Personalize pitches based on their recent coverage. The spray and pray method will get you ignored. ⚡Personalize everything: start your pitches with a nod to their social media or recent articles. Show why your story matters to them and their audience. Be real about what's in it for them. ⚡Be genuine, transparent and responsive. Help them beyond just being a pitch machine. ⚡Leverage social media: use it to engage with journalists on a personal level. Know their interests and interact genuinely. ⚡Stay in touch: regular follow-ups and offering exclusives can strengthen connections. ⚡Be responsive and respectful: quickly acknowledge media inquiries and be honest about your capabilities and timelines. We're all busy but a simple, call text or email acknowledging a request goes a long way. What else am I missing here? Just like like any other relationship, building media relationships is all about authenticity and mutual respect. 🤝

How do you start working with the media in another country if you have never done so before? 🌍 Your company needs to enter a new market and attract media attention, but you've never worked with the media in another country and don't know where to start? If so, these tips will help: 🔔 First, study the cultural characteristics of the country you want to work with. How do its people negotiate? How do they express their feelings? What traditions are accepted in the country? There is an interesting book on this: The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer. 🔔 Next, look at how the country's audience likes to receive information. What channels do they use most? For example, some countries have a high level of trust in print media, while others prefer electronic sources of information. 🔔 Find a list of the main media in the country, as well as local media. Examine their agenda, TOV and the topics journalists write about. Make a list of suitable media and journalists, study their publications, study media requirements for publications. Try to find real contacts in newsrooms and journalists without using ready-made contact databases. These databases often use irrelevant contacts. 🔔 Don't forget networking! Find colleagues who live or work in your country, find social networking groups and ask for advice. You can also find offline events and add them to your calendar. What tips would you add? Have you had to start from scratch when working with a different culture? Share your story in the comments below! #communications #culture #mediarelations #publicrelations #business

There is always an urge to prove your skills by garnering coverage for your client which in return helps you to gain their confidence in you. Young PR professionals like me have had their dose from top journalists at the very beginning. But what really lifted my self-esteem was a call from a business journalist who told me to “respect my work”. He was kind enough to tell me that “we’re in the same business, and journalists need PR just as much as PR needs journalists.” I do understand the tight deadlines journalists work on and the pressure of writing a story. But my simple question is what does it take to say a simple NO or YES? No one will bang you with calls or messages after hearing from you. Sometimes the pitches go unanswered for months and you don't even have a response to give your clients. For instance, I have been chasing two senior journalists since January 2023, chasing doesn't mean they are not interested in my pitch and I am hammering them with emails and messages but, I have got their reverts seeking more information; one even asked me to share possible questions for interaction. Here begins the twist- after listening back from them I gather almost all the potential information. The fact is the opportunity is still open, I write follow-up emails every 2 months in the hope that I will someday close this opportunity. The irony is in these 10 months they have responded twice.  With this post, I am seeking solutions from industry experts and seniors.

🙋♀️ 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐈 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 1️⃣: 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐣𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐦𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚? 🤔 Step 1: ask yourself '𝘏𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴?' Journalists are going to be able to see right through you if you approach this as a pure ego exercise. You need to bring them value too. Do you have insights into a specific industry? Even better, do you have some strong opinions on something? Access to interesting data? It helps if you're in a decision-making role at your company and can bring real experience to the conversation. 📰 Step 2: Read the news. Even better - pay for the news! Reading the news will help you identify which journalists are writing about the topics you're passionate about. Follow them on social and keep up with what they're writing. Repost their content. You should be able to answer the question, "Who is your favorite journalist?" 📧 Step 3: Reach out with a focused pitch. "I enjoyed your article about XYZ. I'm working on something similar/I have insights into XYZ that might help you. Would love to meet for coffee." Remember: journalists are busy like all of us. The more focused your pitch can be, the better. ☕️ Step 4: Have that coffee! If it's an intro coffee, most journalists will treat it as "off the record" i.e. not for quotation, but never be afraid to ask what the ground rules are. A few final tips: 🤝 Remember that this is not a transaction, this is a long-term relationship. 🧠 There are lots of ways to have relationships with journalists. I've had great contacts who never wanted to be quoted but were interested in my views on the market and shared their insights with me, which helped me get good ideas for stories. Others were happy to be quoted whenever. 👫 If you have PR people at your company, don't be afraid to ask them for help in prepping for a journalist meeting, or in asking them to help you reach out to journalists you've identified as relevant.

Next time you're at a conference or industry event and spot a journalist in the wild, here are some tips for interacting with them. It's worth investing a few minutes of your social battery to create what can become a long-term, mutually beneficial connection, so I wrote this blog to ensure you'll have something better to say than, "Um, nice weather we're having!" It covers: 💡 Why you should bother. 💡 How to scope your targets. 💡 How to craft the right message. 💡 How to maximize your time. 💡 What to do after the conference. This is my first blog post with Reputation Ink, and there are plenty more in the works. Stay tuned ✍ #LegalMarketing #SpeakingOpportunities #Lawyers #AEC

Journalist Outreach: 4 Tips for Success! 📝   Thinking of reaching out to journalists? Make sure you're on the right track by steering clear of these common mistakes:   Keep it Personal 📭 Don't send the same message to everyone. Journalists get a lot of emails, so make yours stand out. Talk about why your story matters to them and show you've done your homework. Check Their Recent Work 📰 It's a big no-no to not know what a journalist has been writing about lately. Mentioning old stories makes you look like you're not paying attention. Take a moment to see what they've been working on recently, so your pitch fits right in. Follow Up Smartly 📧 Sending one email and hoping for the best won't cut it. But bombarding them with emails isn't great either. Find a balance. Send a polite follow-up to see if they're interested, and if not, respect their time. Build a Relationship 🤝 Don't just treat journalists like a means to an end. Take the time to get to know them, appreciate their work, and build a real connection. A good relationship can lead to more opportunities down the line.   By dodging these mistakes, your outreach game can be stronger and more successful. 🌐 #DigitalPR #outreach #relationshipbuilding

📢 Hey LinkedIn community! 📢 🎯 Today, I want to share some valuable insights on building a strong personal brand as a journalist. In this digital age, establishing your unique identity and voice is crucial to stand out in the competitive journalism industry. So, here are some tips to help you shine professionally! ✨ 1️⃣ Define Your Niche: Start by identifying your area of expertise or the topics you're truly passionate about. Specializing in a particular field will make you a go-to source for information and help you build credibility. 2️⃣ Craft Your Personal Story: Share your journey, experiences, and values that make you unique. People connect with authentic stories, so don't be afraid to show your personality and let your audience know who you are beyond your professional life. 3️⃣ Be Consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to building a personal brand. Maintain a regular presence on LinkedIn by sharing valuable content related to your niche. Engage with your network by responding to comments and participating in industry discussions. 4️⃣ Showcase Your Work: Utilize the LinkedIn platform to showcase your portfolio and published articles. Sharing your work not only demonstrates your skills but also establishes you as an authority in your field. 5️⃣ Network, Network, Network: Build connections within the industry by connecting with professionals, joining relevant groups, and participating in discussions. Networking can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and mentorship. 6️⃣ Embrace Social Media: LinkedIn is a powerful tool for journalists. Use it to share insights, engage with your network, and follow other industry professionals. Be mindful of maintaining professionalism and ethical standards. 7️⃣ Be Visible Offline: While online presence is vital, don't neglect the importance of offline networking. Attend industry events, conferences, and workshops. Building relationships in person can be just as valuable as online connections. 8️⃣ Continuously Learn and Adapt: Journalism is a rapidly evolving field. Stay updated with the latest trends, technologies, and storytelling techniques. Invest in professional development courses, workshops, and certifications to enhance your skills. Remember, building a personal brand takes time and effort. Stay true to your values, be patient, and consistently provide value to your network. Your personal brand will gradually grow, opening doors to exciting opportunities in the journalism world! 📰 If you have any questions or additional tips to share, feel free to drop them in the comments below. Let's support each other on this professional journey! 🤝 #Journalism #PersonalBrand #Networking #ProfessionalDevelopment

𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐐𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬! Journalists are actively seeking your expertise! That's right, you have the opportunity to be at the forefront of journalist requests for quotes and showcase your industry knowledge. So, let's dive in and discover how you can make the most of this opportunity! 𝟏. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 The first step to being featured in the media is keeping a close eye on journalist requests. Platforms like HARO (Help A Reporter Out) and ProfNet connect journalists with experts like you. Sign up for these services and set up email alerts tailored to your industry. By staying informed, you can quickly respond to relevant queries and increase your chances of being quoted. 𝟐. 𝐁𝐞 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐞 Journalists work under tight deadlines, so when you spot a request that matches your expertise, act swiftly! Craft a compelling response that directly addresses the journalist's needs. Keep it concise, clear, and to the point. 𝟑. 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐬𝐞 When responding to journalist requests, it's crucial to showcase your expertise. Briefly introduce yourself, emphasizing your qualifications and experience. Provide specific examples or case studies that demonstrate your knowledge in the subject matter. 𝟒. 𝐁𝐞 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 While professionalism is important, don't forget to inject your personality into your responses. Journalists appreciate authenticity and a human touch. Share personal anecdotes or stories that illustrate your expertise. 𝟓. 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 Don't underestimate the power of your network! Let your connections know that you're open to being quoted in the media. Reach out to colleagues, industry associations, and professional networks. They might come across relevant journalist requests and recommend you as an expert. 𝟔. 𝐎𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 When journalists receive your response, they'll likely do a quick search to learn more about you. Ensure your online presence reflects your expertise. Update your LinkedIn profile, showcase your achievements, and share industry-related content. Remember, being quoted in the media is not just about promoting your business; it's about sharing your knowledge and contributing to the larger conversation. So, go ahead, take that leap, and become a trusted voice in your field!

How to Set Up Your LinkedIn Profile So Journalists Can Find You — Tips From a Journalist https://lnkd.in/evAdJP5z