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.

In The News:

pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


When Tactics Are Not Enough

Your public relations people are busy. The buzz is all... Read More

Inoculate Yourself Against Bad PR

What is bad PR?Well, if you're a business, non-profit or... Read More

She Who Has the Gold...

?makes the rules, of course.But when the gold takes the... Read More

How To Use PR To Build Your Business

Everyone knows the value of free publicity. And given the... Read More

Maybe the Strongest PR on Planet Earth?

Strong for business, non-profit and association managers when they use... Read More

How Marketing-Minded Financial Planners Get Publicity

You've probably noticed, if you live on this planet, that... Read More

PR: A Potent Force for Success

What's REALLY potent for a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More

How To Get Zero Cost Publicity For Your Business Part 2

This is the ending to my previous article, How to... Read More

The Power of Radio - Tips for Great Radio Interviews

Many people are intimidated by radio interviews, whether live or... Read More

Publicity - The Right Media Person to Call for Free Publicity

You won't accomplish much if you call the gas company... Read More

Creating Your Online News Room: How To Build a Site The Media Will Love

From time to time, people ask me how public relations... Read More

Media Relations: How to Get Your Letter to the Editor Published

You may remember Forrest Gump's Vietnam pal ? the one... Read More

Dont Get Eaten Alive!

If you don't have a grip on public relations, how... Read More

Public Relations Strategies: Announcing News on a Press Tour

Gaining news coverage on a successful press tour requires planning,... Read More

Monarch Health Sciences starts shipping long awaited Monavie and Monavie Active

The Acai Berry is starting to gain world wide recognition... Read More

For Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Small Publications Can Have Great Publicity Impact

Just because a publication is small doesn't mean that getting... Read More

A Well-Oiled Strategy Machine

Yes, that's what public relations really is when it tracks... Read More

Media Training: Stop Talking, Already!

THE TWO MINUTES UNDERDOGEdward Everett was one of the most... Read More

Dont Expect to Bump Oprah From A Magazine Cover

"I want a pony, a tree house and the fastest... Read More

Why PR Can be Effective Medicine

When properly applied by business, non-profit and association managers, public... Read More

Perception Persuasion Behavior: PR at Work

Managers ? the business, non-profit and association sort ? really... Read More

Smashing the Myth of the Press Release

A musician spends years honing his craft. He writes world-class... Read More

Right PR Empowers a Manager

Business, non-profit and association managers are in a stronger position... Read More

Easy to be Foolish About PR

In fact, here are three really foolish goofs made by... Read More

Dont Do This to Your News Release!

Hundreds of thousands of News Releases are sent out all... Read More

How to Take Advantage of Public Relations

Decide once and for all to do something about those... Read More

Managers and PR Genius

The real public relations geniuses might be managers. You know,... Read More

Are You Newsworthy?

Non-news professionals often have a hard time understanding why their... Read More

The Most Important PR In America

Just happens to be public relations activity that alters individual... Read More

How to Get PR

There is a process for successfully getting publicity about your... Read More

Media Exposure Validates And Legitimizes Your Business

Although repetition is extremely important, there are times when advertising... Read More

A Blueprint for Managing your PR

OK, as a manager, your goal is to show a... Read More

Driving Near School Buses in Company Vehicles

School BusesWhen approaching a school bus: Slow down; If the... Read More