The media's role is to package and spread news, current affairs and public interest information to the public. They have great power to shape and influence public opinion, to target and exploit audience reactions, emotions and opinions.
Setting up and maintaining good relationships with the media can be of enormous benefit. Effective media relations promote trust and balance between the media and an individual and their organisation.
Once you've proved yourself as a useful and dependable information source, you'll realise it can; help to get your story into a news cycle, and provide opportunities for the media to approach you for comment on appropriate stories which in turn helps a journalist add depth, by filling gaps or backing up information, to their story.
Effective media relations is about working with, rather than against, the media. That's not to say you can't have a robust relationship with the media. However, adopting this approach gives you better access to journalists when there is something to say in the media.
Being available for comment when asked is another essential ingredient in effective media relations. In a crisis, your well-established media relationship can also provide you with a stronger opportunity to get a fair hearing in response.
Consider for a moment reactive media relations - the only time you deal with the media is when things go wrong. The reactive situation puts pressure on outcomes and doesn't always allow for your messages to be delivered in a positive way. Obviously pressured reactive responses, or worst still, no response at all, can negatively influence public opinion of you and your organisation.
Media relations is also about; putting out regular media releases on appropriate issues that catch the eye, with short paragraphs written in newspaper style; actively providing comment on issues and or decisions; knowing what builds or makes a story; and knowing how to keep a story alive and when to let it go.
Using the media effectively can help you win public support. Public support is critical when trying to convince others, such as government or bureaucracy of the merit of a particular proposal or application.
Once you're comfortable talking to the media you should take a proactive approach to your media relations. The benefits are well worth it in the long run.
If you're not ready to manage your own media relations, but would like to work toward it, consider approaching a specialist in the field. They can provide advice or management as appropriate on media issues, help write media releases, distribute media releases, organise news conferences, facilitate one-on-one meetings with journalists, as well as deal with crisis and issues management.
Effective media relations can help you and your organisation develop a media profile. The benefit of a media profile becomes obvious when doors open wider for you within government, business and the community.
Mark Croxford advises clients from the government, private and corporate sectors on Government and Media Relations. He is a co-author of Talking to the Media. Talking to the Media teaches readers the skills and techniques they need to exploit the media's strengths, limitations and demands. Don't spend any money on media training until you've read Talking to the Media http://www.talkingtothemedia.com
prom limousines Arcola ..A reporter's job is to get the most accurate and... Read More
Whenever a recession or volatility threatens the economy, companies immediately... Read More
Each of us is exposed to people from other cultures... Read More
Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More
Whether you are a business, non-profit or association manager, your... Read More
Gaining news coverage on a successful press tour requires planning,... Read More
Demand that it pull its own weight in your boat... Read More
The practice of public relations is often misunderstood, thus overlooked... Read More
It doesn't matter how cruel the reality programs get, there... Read More
I often begin my media training sessions by asking members... Read More
The payoff for business, non-profit or association managers can be... Read More
Press reviews are a common and basic feature for surveying... Read More
Powerful is a strong word. But it fits here. As... Read More
Simply that the behaviors of their most important outside audiences... Read More
?2004 Jeffrey DobkinSixty dollars doesn't go a long way in... Read More
Aren't you tired of hearing how extremely easy it is... Read More
"Cindy, where's that story? I need it yesterday!""Coming right up,... Read More
Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units... Read More
One of the greatest ways to promote your product or... Read More
Ever get the feeling that your public relations program isn't... Read More
As a business, non-profit and association manager, how satisfied are... Read More
If you're an online business using public relations (PR) to... Read More
Publicity seekers know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of... Read More
Just about anyone who has been in the public eye... Read More
You have a story to tell. Your company has developed... Read More
Attica Chicago limousine service ..The annual detailing of the Kentucky Derby Train is an... Read More
How do you make a friend of the media? A... Read More
And the best way to mind your own business is... Read More
Have you ever noticed how the same people's names always... Read More
How to write a press release is a major challenge... Read More
Although, as a business, non-profit or association manager, you may... Read More
Can you honestly say that your business, non-profit or association's... Read More
Although media relations is not all there is to PR,... Read More
How do press releases or interest stories have an effect... Read More
For some, public relations works well when their news release... Read More
Business people often spend time and money trying to find... Read More
And here it is: public relations alters individual perception leading... Read More
Your boss just stopped by your office. He tells you... Read More
I believe this about public relations.People act on their own... Read More
I mean public relations that presumes from the get-go that... Read More
If you're like most publicity seekers, you probably think oneproject... Read More
Business, non-profit or association managers hurt their own public relations... Read More
To many marketers, the press release is something of a... Read More
Writing an effective press release is a way to draw... Read More
Some financial planners think that they shouldn't share their top... Read More
When most people think of media relations, they think of... Read More
Because PR can be difficult to control, it is often... Read More
Do you want to be quoted by the national press... Read More
The Key to Great PR is PerseveranceBy Paula Gardner of... Read More
Media relations, simply put, is the business of building and... Read More
Public Relations |