Successful PR Tactics

SUCCESSFUL PR TACTICS

PR campaigns can be the difference between successful and unsuccessful ventures – and they’re the lifeblood for getting your company’s stories into the public eye.

We’ve previously posted a blog about how to write a press release, but where do you go from there? There are a couple of different strategies out there for cultivating a PR buzz both in print and online:

1. Distributing a press release

Releasing a press release is pretty easy now. There are a number of searchable databases available, such as PRWeb, PRLeap, and ClickPress, where you can upload your press release for a fee. Journalists and media members with access to these sites will be able to search databases for relevant information or story ideas. In some cases, these sites will also distribute your press release to journalists or send your release to industry-related sites or news hubs. It’s a good idea to upload your press releases to these sites so that your news is archived and available to the online community.

2. Targeting the Media

A really successful PR campaign will include directly contacting media sources. And the more respect and courtesy you show them, the more receptive they’ll be to the ideas you’re sending.

Good old fashioned etiquette and research go a long way in this business. Try the following:

• Identify the correct local or regional media contacts and pay close attention to their style of reporting.
• Find out their preferred methods for pitching a story – maybe they only want emails, or maybe they want to be pitched on the phone, afternoons only.
• After identifying local and regional media contacts, broaden your range to include national, international, blog, and online contacts.
• Review, update, and double-check your lists regularly – the easiest way to the trash bin is to send your press release to the wrong person or a deleted email address.

For more best-practice media relations tips, check out the Media Relations blog with suggestions straight from the horse’s mouth: journalists themselves.