The Public Relations Blog

Your guide to writing a better news or feature story

When you write a story, your objective is to get the right message to your target audience. If you understand what type of story you’re writing, it will improve your writing and help you reach the readers you want to connect with. There are many kinds of stories. The most common ones are a news story and a feature story. Even experienced writers often confuse the two.

While both types of stories are equally important for your public relations strategy, they’re used in different circumstances. Here are three critical differences between a feature story and a news story.

Your company regularly creates press releases. You, as the PR specialist, spend time researching, writing, crafting the perfect quote and curating the best media list – only to have your release not get picked up anywhere. If radio silence from the media is the norm when it comes to your news releases, it’s time to shake things up a bit. Here are some tips to improve your news releases and media outreach approach.

3 ways to get reporters to cover your company’s news

What’s your company doing to get media coverage?

If the answer is to focus specifically on your company, it’s time to rethink your strategy. It’s not about you; it’s about the journalist.

More importantly, it’s about making the journalist happy.

So, what can your PR department or agency do to get media coverage? It’s simple: Help the journalists do their job, and you’ll get the coverage your company is seeking.

The job of a journalist has never been tougher. With increasing deadline demands and businesses focusing more on information about their own companies, the job of a reporter can be taxing. Journalists need newsworthy ideas, and your job is to make it as easy as possible to get them.

Here are three ways you can get journalists to give you great media coverage for your company:

Some people believe that press release syndication services are a dying art. However, with so many of these sites existing, it’s hard to believe distribution services are going away anytime soon. Press release syndication services are still an effective way to spread your company’s news. And have no fear; whether you call them news releases or press releases, the distribution platforms are still the same.

Press release syndication services provide a way to get your company’s news in front of numerous people, including reporters. I’ve had great success with publishing news releases on distribution sites and securing interviews and coverage. Keep in mind, however, the best way to gain media coverage is to build lasting relationships with reporters.

In my opinion, there are three giants in the industry as well as several cost-effective ways to distribute a news release. The more informed you are, the more success you’ll have in your efforts.

8 tips for creating a news release that will result in numerous media placements and boost your exposure

It’s a problem public relations professionals encounter all the time. They write a news release based on what media and target audiences want to see. Then, the CEO or another C-suite executive reviews the release and adds long quotes and several paragraphs of company information to appease partners or other stakeholders. This is a huge (and common) mistake.

Weak headlines and first paragraphs are deal-breakers

You need strong headlines and clear opening paragraphs. News coverage is important: According to Starch Research, a news story has six times the readership and three times the credibility of an advertisement. The right PR agency can secure you the media coverage you need to grow your business and your bottom line.

PR explains what you need for increased media coverage

Your company has quite a bit going on. As a result, you send out dozens of press releases announcing events, highlighting initiatives and touting all your good work – only to have them wind up in the trash basket of every journalist you sent them to. What gives?

Attracting earned media is crucial for visibility, reputation building and brand recognition. Press releases are an important component, but there are right and wrong ways to use them. With help from PR, you can learn why most press releases fail and the differences between a good press release and a great one.

Use PR to fully leverage this often-underused tool

Ah, the dreaded press releases. Over the years, we have come to rely on them, hate them and frequently declare their demise. Nonetheless, news releases remain a crucial instrument for media relations efforts. Since it is clear that you have to use them, you may as well get maximum impact and reach from your press releases.

6 tips for getting better results with your pitches

How often do you get a call from someone trying to sell you something and the person begins by asking if you have a minute? This is an immediate way to shut down the conversation and end the call. In today’s busy world, no one really has a minute.

As you are pitching, you will discover that the same is true for journalists. You will find that it’s never a good time to pitch a journalist. Journalists may be working on several stories at one time and are often on tight deadlines. This means they are usually far too busy to speak by phone about your pitch idea, especially when others are bombarding them – often with pitches that don’t pertain to the area or topic that they cover.

Let PR show you how to get a reporter’s attention and keep it

Media coverage is an ideal way to educate people about your product, inform them about your events, highlight your company or feature your CEO as a thought leader in your industry. As a result, every business wants to know the secrets for obtaining more media coverage.

While there is no one-size-fits-every-company answer, there are media relations practices and habits you can adopt to increase your chances of coverage success. With help from PR, you can get the media coverage your company needs and deserves.