We all know. Press coverage generates visibility, credibility, authority, thought leadership positioning and, most importantly, new opportunity.
So, how do you give the press what they want? Read on.
DAGUS
As my friend and colleague Ed Perry, Ringmaster of WATD-FM and member of the Radio Hall of Fame, says, “We take the DAGUS approach. Does Anyone Give A S_ _ _ ?”
Does your news include “news” that of interest to that media outlet’s audience? It is useful, interesting, timely, regional? Make sure you provide get a YES to the DAGUS test.
LIGHTNING ROD TOPICS
Topics that draw immediate attention? Sex, money and health. Beyond those obvious draws you might try news about a round number anniversary (10, 25, 50), new service or product, key employee news (hired, trained, promoted), community involvement, awards or recognition, new location, strategic partnership, trends, new research, new innovations and human-interest phenomenon.
5 W’s
Answer all the questions the audience might have. That is usually well covered with the 5 Ws – Who, What, Why, When and Where.
THE IN CROWD
It doesn’t matter whether you play squash with the News Director of the NBC outlet. Reach out to your media friend with REAL news. Yes, you have easier access to a friend, but you don’t want to compromise the friendship or business relationship by pitching a non-story.
SILVER PLATTER
The press is overwhelmed and understaffed. Make it oh, so easy for them. Provide a great story angle, background information to borrow from and a variety of industry sources to interview and add flesh to your story.
PICTURE PERFECT
Often times the picture or video can SELL the story. Provide great visuals and you are helping illustrate the story. High res photos are best for the print media. The best possible production values are helpful for video.
TIMING. IT’S EVERYTHING
Deadline, deadline. The press lives and dies by them. So, when an editor is enticed you need to respond IMMEDIATELY or in the same day part. Otherwise, they move on to the next source.
AND IN CONCLUSION – BREVITY
According to Wikipedia, the results showed the average human attention span has fallen from 12 seconds in 2000, or around the time the mobile revolution began, to eight seconds. Goldfish, meanwhile, are believed to have an attention span of nine seconds. Hint – keep it short and pithy.
Steve Dubin is the president/founder of PR Works, a full service PR/Marketing firm based in America’s hometown Plymouth, MA. The company serves as an outsourced PR/Marketing department for many small and mid-sized business and helps navigate the overwhelming number of advertising options. He can be reached at www.PRWorkZone.com
