How to Handle Media Inquiries Value of Public

Transcript:How to Handle Media Inquiries Value of Public:
How to Handle Media Inquiries Value of Public Relations Brings attention to your business through story-telling (media coverage and social media engagement) Personalizes your stories with your brand’s/conference’s core messaging –provides a voice and paints a picture to your target audience Raises your profile with media articles, blogs, onsite reporting, social media interactions Builds Strong Relationships connecting with people to engage 2 Build a strategy to work with the media Step 1: Determine your goals, ask your yourself – do you want a call to action, are you seeking to educate? Step 2: Determine your audience to target your campaign Step 3: Determine how you want to leverage the media Step 4: Determine your message – less words is better Step 5: Designate spokesperson if needed Step 6: Create list of reporters for media engagement 3 Connecting with the Press Relationship building Providing valuable content to write an article Media alerts that provide key event details Photos, videos, etc. are useful content Goal is for them to reach out to you 4 What’s Newsworthy? Breaking news – tie in if possible Disruption, strong point of view, predictions Data, research and industry trends Amazing anecdotes, results, events with visuals The “coolest idea” Human Interest stories Anniversaries Significance 5 Overview Getting ready to deal with the press When you receive a request from media, analyze the reporter and media outlet – is it a connection you want to make? Prepare core messages and sound bites Have 1-3 key points and convey them at every opportunity during the interview Ensure there is an onsite contact to greet and manage the media interview, prep the spokesperson, and overall manage the situation Prepare for challenging questions Offer to provide more information = website+social property Types of Questions to Ask What type of story are you seeking? What interests you about our event/story? Have you covered this topic before with IEEE? How familiar are you with our organization? Have you spoken to anyone else regarding this topic? What types of information would you like to find out? Media Dos and Don’ts Be friendly, but….. Build the relationship Ask questions Prepare messages; know your soundbites Stay within your boundaries Bridging as needed Translate technical terms in ways anyone could understand Provide follow-up contact information, and media relations contacts Answering the phone Using a statement only Media Dos and Don’ts Never say “No Comment” Don’t go beyond your