How do you use your media kit to pitch stories and secure coverage?

The media kit should carry all relevant resources for the media to cover the story. If it is a print, media kit should have the key facts and data about the story, pictures, golden quotes from the spokesperson, user testimony, and details about the company and the spokesperson. If it is for online/TV, you should include the above resources in audio-visuals format. The media kit can also be personalised for the target journalists. It would require studying the preferences and previous work of each journalist on the list. Not in all cases, but if possible one should also include a feedback form, which enable you to finetune the kit in the future.

Receiving a tailored pitch gets me to write. I love when pitches have bullets with all of the information that would make this story relevant to my publication’s specific audience. Also, don’t ignore the fact that there may be a sub-niche within the niche outlets. Just because it’s a Black-centric publication, for example, it doesn’t mean all stories about Black people are covered. Make sure your pitch shows that you know that.

To effectively use my media kit to pitch stories and secure coverage, I start by understanding the core of the story I want to tell and then define my target audience while determining what aspects of the story would interest them the most. Crafting the pitch to align with key markers of a newsworthy event—such as timeliness, relevance, and impact—ensures it captures attention. I research the policies and preferences of the media outlets I’m targeting by seeking insights from journalists to understand what type of stories resonate with them and how best to present the information. This approach helps tailor my pitch to meet both the media’s interests and the needs of my audience.

Include key elements like your bio, high-quality images, press releases, and relevant facts that support the story you’re pitching. Keep the media kit concise and easy to navigate, highlighting what makes your story timely and newsworthy. When sending the kit, accompany it with a personalized pitch that connects your story to the outlet’s audience. The media kit serves as a professional, all-in-one resource to make coverage easy for them.

Think of your media kit like a treasure map in "Pirates of the Caribbean." To pitch stories and secure coverage, your media kit is your X, which marks the spot. Use your media kit strategically as Jack Sparrow navigates with a map. Highlight the key elements - the golden nuggets of your story, author bio, high-quality images – everything a journalist needs. It's like showing them where the treasure is buried. With a well-crafted media kit, it's akin to unveiling a chest of riches, making it irresistible for journalists to embark on a story adventure with you.

Craft a compelling pitch that highlights the uniqueness of your story and why it would be of interest to the outlet’s audience. Personalise your email or communication to show that you’ve done your research about the outlet and the journalist. Attach or link your media kit in a way that is easy for the recipient to access and download.

One powerful way to do this is by positioning your customers or representatives as expert commentators. Make it easy for journalists to see why they are the ideal source for insights, here’s how: 1. ?????????????????? ??????????????????: Highlight Expertise: Showcase your spokesperson’s credentials and achievements prominently. 2. ?????????????? ???????????????? ????????????: List key issues they can comment on, aligning with current trends. 3. ?????????????? ???????? ?????????? ??????????????????????: Highlight previous media engagements to boost credibility. 4. ?????????? ??????????-????-?????? ??????????????: Offer ready-to-use content: Supply pre-written commentary or talking points for easy use.

Very important: Why now. What's happening in your market that is of interest to the media? Any recent local data to cite? Any trends or analyst predictions that you can provide? Have that in the first part of your pitch as a lead-up to why the story you're pitching is important.

Crafting a catchy pitch is like Genie from "Aladdin," conjuring up excitement in the Cave of Wonders. Just as Genie dazzles with flair, your pitch should sparkle with attention-grabbing magic. Please tell me the essence of your story like a wish, and make it brief yet captivating. It's like rubbing the lamp for a memorable moment. Imagine your pitch as the magic carpet ride that sweeps journalists off their feet into the enchanting world of your story. With a catchy pitch, you're granting a media wish they didn't even know they had!

Organizing your media kit is like arranging a storybook in the library of Belle from "Beauty and the Beast." Just as Belle categorizes her books, structure your media kit logically. Create sections for the story summary, author bio, and high-resolution images – each like a chapter in your tale. It's like organizing a magical library that entices journalists to explore. By approaching it with Belle's finesse, your media kit becomes a captivating story waiting to be discovered, ensuring every element is in its rightful place for a delightful read.

Follow up with a polite email or call if you haven’t heard back within a week or so. Journalists are busy, and a follow-up can help bring your story to their attention without being intrusive.

Be sure to check platforms like X, LinkedIn, or Muck Rack for the reporter’s pitching preferences. Some reporters don’t always have the bandwidth to respond to every pitch. They sometimes make this known on their profiles.

Following up after sending a media kit shows that you're genuinely interested in their outlet and have carefully chosen them for their audience, rather than mass-sending to everyone. It also demonstrates professionalism and commitment, making it more likely they'll engage with your story.

Following up and following through is like Dory from "Finding Nemo" navigating the vast ocean of media relations. Just as Dory stays on course, keep your communication consistent. It's like swimming through the currents of journalists' inboxes. Remember to check in, provide updates, and maintain the flow of your story. By approaching it with Dory's friendly persistence, your follow-up becomes as memorable and reliable as a journey with everyone's favorite forgetful fish. ????

The #1 rule of media relations: Reporters want news. Your media kit should be a link to the details and information you want to share. But keep in mind the intro should clearly, and succinctly state why this is news, how this news relates to the publication and audience, and why this should be pursued further. Emails with a lot of attachments can get stuck in some newsrooms' spam filters. If other professionals have had success with mailed media kits I would love to hear about it, but unless your kit includes a product or something specifically related to the news - don't send anything via mail. There are faster ways to get information to reporters. Fancy folders don't equal coverage - news does.

HYPERLINK ONLY! Using a hyperlink to a media kit rather than attaching one to an email offers greater convenience, flexibility, and professionalism, enhancing the recipient's experience and increasing the likelihood of engagement with your materials. Be sure to bold/highlight where to click; direct their eyes. The recipient will also appreciate your consideration of their computer's storage space (wink-wink). In short, convenience, accessibility, and aesthetics are critical!