n recent years there seems to be an increasingly common misconception among many companies and entrepreneurs nationally who try to generate media attention for their products or services. Since starting my PR business almost two decades ago I have had more than a few prospective clients come to me seeking “a P.R.” to get more consumers interested in their products or services. That’s right a “P.R.”. Contrary to what some people think, P.R. is NOT an acronym for “Press Release” – it stands for Public Relations. P.R. is much more e https://famemedia.vn than just a press release and that distinction is very important to understand.
I often cringe when I see articles from well-intentioned “marketing” experts that say, in effect: “simply write a press release, pitch it to the media and just sit back and reap the benefits.” Unfortunately, it is far from being that simple. That statement pre-supposes that the media release/pitch is written well – containing all the right elements and newspegs to catch the media eye – and that it is pitched and maintained in the correct media market, which is often the downfall of many amateur PR/media exposure campaigns. By all means, a press release is an integral part of a PR campaign. But a press release alone does not a PR campaign make. A successful PR/publicity campaign for your business or product should include many, if not all of the following:
An interesting, quality, newsworthy product/service that the media (and its audience) will find merit in; A concise, articulate media release or story pitch – not a glorified ad – detailing the benefits of your product/business/website and what effect it will have for it’s users; A supply of media “supportives” – product photos (digital & hard copy), possible review samples, etc.; An extensively researched media list detailing all applicable media outlets whose editorial profiles match your product/business profile. Here’s an important detail — the targets of your pitch should be “name-specific” not just “title-specific” media contacts. By that I mean the media market research you compile should give you particulars like “Sally Jones-Cooking Editor” not just Tribune Newsroom or Managing Editor; A solid, trustworthy media contact vehicle that gets your media message directly into the hands of the appropriate reporter/editor/producer and allows them to respond easily to your pitch. (As always, beware of press release distribution services that often times indiscriminately spew your release to hundreds of untargeted media outlets with little or no results.) Research to find out the preferred method of receipt of your media targets – don’t just assume an email will suffice. Whether it’s by snail mail, email, phone calls, or yes even fax, the media can’t run your story if they don’t hear about it.