10 Ways to Get the Media to Love You

So you've put yourself "out there" with a public relations campaign. Your dealings with the media now become critical. Those relationships with the media can make or break your public relations efforts. Here's how to get the media to love you:

1. When the media calls, stop what you are doing and give them your full attention. That's right. Maybe you're having lunch. Or in a meeting. I advise my clients to say to others around them "I only allow interruptions when the media calls."

2. Treat the media like gold. Answer their questions in a forthcoming manner, in a respectful, pleasant tone. Do not disparage others and be careful about making negative comments. Do not lie or provide exaggerated claims. Just like you, media people appreciate those who take the "high road".

3. Be realistic about coverage. A reporter can interview you for an hour and you might only have one line in the media. Or none. Depending on how the story goes or space available or the editor's whim, any of the above can happen. The reporters owe you nothing for your time. Take this in stride and be pleasant and understanding in future dealings with them.

4. Lose control. You have control over advertising; you have minimal control over PR. That's the difference between paying for something and not paying for it. A media piece may not contain the "story" that you would like covered. It may focus on an angle you don't like. The reporter determines what angle to use, depending on his/her needs and information you provide. It also probably won't be 100% accurate. If it is 90% accurate, you're doing great. Take this in stride and don't complain to the reporter.

5. Stop complaining. Sometimes, after a phone interview, you will be misquoted. Unless it is truly a libelous or slanderous comment, you should take it in stride. DO NOT decide to complain to the reporter, or you will certainly not be getting any press, at least not favorable, in that media again.

6. Give several contact numbers, including day, night and weekend, to the media (including vacation/out-of-town contact info). The press waits for no one.

7. Be realistic about when the media will cover you. Typically, daily newspapers, radio and TV have a one-day to three-month coverage window. Magazines have a 2-3 month to one-year window. The lead times vary depending on editorial calendars, seasonal coverage and breaking news. In addition, the media chooses when they want to run a story; you have little control over when they run it, unless it is tied in with a timely event, such as a holiday. While you would love to see yourself or your organization on the 6 o'clock news or the front-page of the business section, the media may have other stories slotted for those options, or they may need to fill a space in another segment. Similarly, you might want your story to run immediately, but the media may hold it for months, if there is no urgency in running it.

8. Pick up your own copies of your articles or tapes. Do not ask the reporter for a copy. They will be offended! Pick up a copy of the publication or call the media outlet to order a copy or tape.

9. Spend time reading, listening to the radio and watching TV. These activities are a part of most of our days. And if you plan on "pitching" a particular media outlet, research it first (that means reading a publication, listening to the radio or watching that particular show, even if you generally wouldn't). Once you do your research, you will have a better idea of the types of stories they cover, and also what has already been covered. Remember, the more you understand what the media likes to cover, the more likely that you will create great media angles that the media loves.

10. Thank them. Media people, just like you, enjoy a pat on the back once in a while. And no one can ever get too many thank-yous. And to be remembered even more, put it in writing.

By putting effort into developing media relationships, you'll increase your chances of current and future public relations success.

Copyright 2005 Margie Fisher All Rights Reserved

Margie Fisher is President of Margie Fisher Public Relations. The information in this article was excerpted from her Do-It-Yourself Public Relations Kit?. For more information and more free articles, visit http://www.margiefisher.com.

---

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, the Media Wants to Give You Free Publicity

In this great country of ours, there are basically three... Read More

Youve Done PR the Hard Way Long Enough

As a business, non-profit or association manager, let the tacticians... Read More

Managers, Which PR Is Right For You?

An effort built around a string of print and broadcast... Read More

Getting Traffic Through Publicity

If your reading this, you must be online and most... Read More

Are There Secrets to Gaining Media Coverage?

Are there secrets to gaining media coverage or is it... Read More

35 Quick Tips for Writing A Press Release

Layout1. 1-2 pages in length.2. Double-space.3. 1.5 to 2 inch... Read More

The MOST Powerful Marketing and Advertising on the Planet!

It sounds too simple to be true, but it really... Read More

Public Relations: Power Tool for the 21st Century

I address this article to businesses, associations, non-profits and public... Read More

Do I Really Need a Publicist?

Are you hesitating about hiring a publicist or, if you... Read More

33 Reasons To Do A News Release

News releases are not the best way to get major... Read More

How to Stay Composed During Contentious TV Interviews

NOTE: Brad Phillips was a Producer for CNN's The Capital... Read More

Media Relations: Should You Pay For News Coverage?

Dear New York Times:I'd like to be quoted in one... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners--Appearing on TV? Tell the World!

It doesn't matter how cruel the reality programs get, there... Read More

Detailing The Famous Kentucky Derby Train

The annual detailing of the Kentucky Derby Train is an... Read More

How to Make A Great Press Kit ? A Musicians Guide

As an owner of an independent record label, I often... Read More

Public Relations: Why it Works

The short answer is, it works best when its fundamental... Read More

Managers: Get Real, Please!

Personnel mentions in the newspaper and product plugs on radio... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Dont Hold Back Information From the Media

Some financial planners think that they shouldn't share their top... Read More

Ignore PR at Your Peril!

If you do, it means:you don't value tracking the perceptions... Read More

Effective Media Relations ? You Won?t be Talking to the Media Without It!

The media's role is to package and spread news, current... Read More

Publicity for Financial Planners--Eight Tips For Success

Individual financial planners can outscore bigger competitors and gain market... Read More

The Non-business Business

Think for a moment! If you were to do a... Read More

Television Reporters - Questions to Ask Before Agreeing to an Interview

Prior to a TV interview it is guaranteed the journalist... Read More

VIP Database; Does Your Company Have One?

The VIP databases are fun to create and can be... Read More

Public Relations: Understanding Educated Gambling

As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More

Media Relations: Should You Pay For News Coverage, Part II

Last month, we told you about "pay for play," a... Read More

Publicity and Marketing Magic For Financial Planners: The Four Mores

Publicity will take your financial planning practice, your business, and... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Focus on Main Points During an Interview

You never want to inundate a reporter with information, but... Read More

Want This Kind of PR?

PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of... Read More

Building Credibility Through Bylined Articles

As if making sure your company runs smoothly on an... Read More

How To Write A Press Release: The 10 Commandments Of A Great Lead Paragraph

How to write a press release is a major challenge... Read More

How to Keep PR Working for You

Managers in the non-profit, association and business worlds need to... Read More

The Ten Ps of PR

Everyone is talking about the Ps of successful marketing, so... Read More