A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blot post that covered 3 story ideas that journalists LOVE, but once you have your story, where should you tell it?
Today we are covering exactly that and diving into how to build your dream media list.
If you are anything like me, this topic will excite you as you get to make a wonderful spreadsheet! This will enable you to visit your media list with all your press contacts on, with ease whenever you require it.
STEP 1: WHO ARE YOU TRYING TO REACH?
Anyone who has read my previous blog posts or watched my Facebook lives, will know already, that this is the starting point for EVERYTHING in your business (not just PR!) – your business plan, your PR plan, you name it.
Who are you trying to reach, who are you trying to influence?
Once you know this, the rest becomes so much easier.
STEP 2: WHAT MEDIA DO THEY CONSUME?
Once you know who they are, then you can work out what they read and what media they consume. Then you can meet them there.
Which places if you were featured in them would give you that WOW factor and give you massive credibility?
Think not only about traditional media outlets, but also think about whether or not they listen to podcasts or go into Facebook groups?
There are many media sectors that you can look into for opportunities:
- Regional media
- National media
- Broadcast
- Online
- Magazines
- Trade media
My recommendation is to do your research and brainstorm across each of these areas. In fact, when you are creating your media list, splitting them out into these different sectors, helps you think about it with a wide lens. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Look at all your options.
STEP 3: WHO DO YOU CONTACT?
There are two aspects of PR:
REACTIVE – these are things that you cannot plan for like #journorequests (you can actually find some great contacts this way which can be logged into your media list!)
PROACTIVE – this is you going out and pitching for opportunities in places where they cover stories like yours. This is where you have decided where you want to be seen and who by.
Contact details are not hard to find (the hardest part is working out which contact details you want to find).
Here are my top tips:
- The media is an open book, the magazines, newspapers have the journalist’s name under the article or it would be in the spine of the magazine or the contact panel at the front of the magazine.
- If you are looking for radio contacts, keep an ear out for the name of the show producer or you could even ring them up and ask them!
- Most organisational email addresses follow the same pattern, e.g. firstname.lastname@outlet.com which is ideal if you don’t have a direct email address but have their name
- Twitter can be your new best friend! Most journalists have their contact details either on the #journorequests they send out or on their Twitter bio. So if you are not on there already, get yourself set up! Go, go, go!
So there you have it!
Work out WHO you want to reach, WHAT media they consumer and WHERE to find the contacts, build a spreadsheet around that and keep on top of it regularly.
THAT is how you create your dream media bio!
📣 And if you want to work with me 1:1 on this, I’ve just released the May slots for my 2-hour Deep Dive sessions 📣.
We’ll start with your ideal client and objectives, look at your stories and expertise and match them to key media, podcasts and speaking opportunities. Book now here.
Here’s where you can catch the replay of my FB live session covering all of the above including some great Q&As!
