Are you wondering what is the process for contacting reporters to try and get a story placed? Jan Burch, Placemaking Group’s VP of PR in our Sacramento office, gave this answer when asked recently on LinkedIn…
There are a lot of facets to public relations. It starts with goals that are backed up with a plan followed by strategies and then implementation. Web site, media campaign, social marketing and events are typical components of a program. As strategies — like blogs and e-mail blasts — become more sophisticated there are certain things we do that never change. Like calling reporters.
I was recently asked if calling reporters was still necessary now that we can e-mail and tweet our news releases to reporters. My answer is yes. Of course.
I don’t look at calling reporters as anything other than doing my job. There are four steps to selling a story. The first part is a good story. The second step is identifying appropriate media and reporters. Third is e-mailing and tweeting. The fourth is calling. If I’ve done my homework, I will almost always get results …. or stories. But only if I call. Reporters receive so many phone calls and e-mails that the call is the way to break through the clutter. It may seem archaic to some. Not to me. Don’t be afraid to try it. Again and again and again.
