Getting your story picked up by journalists can feel like navigating a maze. You’re competing with countless others, all vying for the same limited attention. Understanding how to contact news media with a story is the first step toward making your story stand out in this crowded landscape.
Building Relationships
You can increase your odds significantly with the right approach. It’s about building genuine relationships with journalists who are interested in what you have to offer. Building relationships is a vital step when you contact journalists to get media coverage.
Knowing Your Audience
Imagine this: You’re a tech startup founder with a groundbreaking AI-powered app. Knowing how to contact news media with a story means targeting the right journalists. You wouldn’t reach out to a food blogger, right? You’d target journalists specializing in tech and business publications.
Start by pinpointing media outlets and specific journalists whose work aligns with your story. Consider the types of news stories they typically include in their articles. Using tools such as Google News can help you discover recent articles related to your industry and the journalists who cover those topics. A media database can also help by providing detailed information about journalists, their beats, and their contact details.
Direct Engagement on Social
Don’t be afraid to engage with their content – a genuine comment can go a long way. Twitter remains a hotbed for journalists, as Muck Rack’s State of Journalism report points out. Connect with them there, you might find some journalists’ email addresses in their bios.
You can find journalists on other social media accounts as well, such as LinkedIn. Social media channels can be great for building relationships with members of the media.
Crafting a Pitch That Pops
Think of your pitch like the trailer for a blockbuster movie; It needs to captivate immediately. Knowing how to contact news media with a story hinges on your pitch and/or press release quality. Your pitch is how you will get your news story in front of the right people.
Subject Lines That Sell
Start strong with a clear, catchy subject line. Journalists receive countless emails daily, so yours needs to grab their attention and make them want to know more about what you’re offering. Try to make your subject line sound like one of the news tips that they are looking for.
Personalization is Key
Craft a personalized email – nothing screams ‘mass outreach’ more than a generic message. Mention something specific you admire about their work; it demonstrates that you’ve actually read their pieces and value their perspective.
Keep your pitch concise and get to the point quickly. Highlight why your story is relevant to their audience and why it deserves coverage right now. Your pitch stories need to be relevant to the journalist you are pitching.
When contacting reporters, think about how you can make your story relevant to their beat. You can also see if your story is a good fit for any upcoming themes or special segments.
The Power of Exclusives
Offering an exclusive angle can be extremely tempting for a journalist. Everyone wants to be the one who breaks a new story or has access to unique insights. If you can provide this, make sure to emphasize it clearly in your pitch. Providing an interesting pitch will make the journalists more likely to get back to you.
Using the Right Tools and Resources
Leveraging platforms like Source of Sources can streamline the process of connecting with relevant journalists. We connect you with journalists looking for quotes and sources for their stories, saving you valuable time and effort.
Remember, traditional media isn’t the only route. Building relationships with influencers who command dedicated online communities can be game-changing. Many media databases and journalist databases offer free trials, it’s time to try them out.
The Follow Up: When and How
It’s tempting to fire off that follow-up email the next day. Give journalists breathing room – a week is generally a good rule of thumb.
If you haven’t heard back, a polite follow-up email expressing continued interest can be effective. Don’t forget to include your contact information in your email pitch.
FAQs About How to Contact News Media With a Story
What should you do if a journalist ghosts you?
Getting ignored is a bummer, but it happens. Sometimes a journalist may get too busy with breaking news or have already found a similar story.
Focus your efforts on cultivating relationships with those who appreciate your work and value your expertise. You can always try pitching stories to other journalists at the same organization or pitch relevant stories to different media outlets. Start building your media list, you can never have too many media contacts.
Can you contact reporters through social media DMs?
It’s best to stick with email as the primary method for professional communication when contacting journalists. That said, don’t be afraid to engage with their content on social media.
Conclusion
Understanding how to contact news media with a story effectively takes time and effort. Crafting a great pitch is an art in itself, and it is all about presenting a compelling narrative. Finding journalists who are a good fit for your story is crucial to getting media coverage. You are pitching to a human at the end of the day, so think about what might interest them and how you can add value.
Here are some talking points to keep in mind:
- Target your pitches to journalists who cover stories relevant to your industry or area of expertise.
- Write a catchy subject line that will grab the journalist’s attention.
- Keep your email pitches brief and to the point; journalists receive hundreds of emails per day.
- Personalize your pitches and make sure to include relevant information for the journalist you’re pitching.
- Don’t be afraid to follow up if you haven’t heard back after a week or so.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to getting your story picked up by the media. Good luck.
