How can you use public relations to build relationships with the media?

When I worked at BBC News, the thing that annoyed us the most with PR pitching was PRs getting in touch with a story without doing any research about the programme - eg we'd already recently covered the same story, or suggesting an idea that was completely irrelevant for the audience. So before you pitch...do your research! Read the paper/listen/watch the outlet you're thinking of pitching to get to know the feel of the content and what type of stories would work for their target audience. Eg The Telegraph audience tends to be older, more middle class and have relatively high disposable incomes.

The days of mass pitching aka throwing?? against the proverbial wall and hoping/praying that some of it sticks (aka you get a response) are long over. Newsrooms have severely cut back over the past 20 years and there are more organizations vying for media attention than there are reporters/platforms to cover. It’s about delivering the best story at the right time, in the right way to the right target. It also means investing significant time in building relationships of trust with journalists outside of pitching them. Engage on their social media, offer to provide information with no expectation of anything in return. Congratulate them when they get a new job or beat, or win an award. When you or your client promise something, do it.

Here's a practical approach to PR with media: - create yourself newsworthy stories related to your startup. These should be interesting & relevant to the media's audience - when reaching out to journalists, be sure to personalize your pitches (DM me for software I use to connect to journalists). A generic pitch won't cut it. - Engage with the media beyond pitching. Share their articles & tag the writers on social media - When they express interest in your story, respond promptly! - Become a go-to source for information in your industry, you'll see journalists turn to you more frequently. Don't expect immediate results & remember, it's not just about one-time coverage but maintaining these relationships for repeated PR

Make a journalist’s job easier on them. Provide quotes and concise/crucial background info in advance, accommodate their schedule, reach out with tips/leads WITH NO IMMEDIATE expectation of coverage. Explain complex data in ways their audience can understand and demonstrate it in compelling ways. Offer genuine exclusives to reporters who’ve covered you in the past, accommodate the reporter’s schedule. Return their calls, and importantly, be respectful when they decline instead of a nagging annoyance. Selfless value is the best type of value.

Want more PR & writers to come to you? Start To Provide Value!!!! To establish credibility, share valuable insights, data, or expert opinions every day across all social media channels. Not just your business page but your personal socials. You as a founder need to become a go-to source for information in your industry, and you'll find that journalists turn to you more frequently. This wont be an overnight process, expect this to take 6-12 months I like to use software to scale my outreach, help answer questions for people in DMs, and solve pain points to establish credibility quicker

In the fast-paced world of startups, responsiveness can set you apart from the competition. If you want to build your brand, build trust, & gain PR be RESPONSIVE!!! While others may lag in addressing customer concerns this agility gives you a competitive edge. You can pivot, adapt, and seize opportunities faster. Responsiveness isn't a one-time effort; it's a mindset Being responsive means putting your customers at the center of your business. This customer-centric approach not only fosters growth but also helps in retaining customers in the long run Building a startup relies heavily on relationships so if you want writers to put your company into articles, build relationships on being very responsive Follow me for daily startup posts

When you build a good rapport with a local media source, they begin to see you as their go-to expert on the subject. As a result, whenever they are assigned a story where they need expert insight and knowledge on topic that falls within your area of expertise, you're the first person they come to. This leads to more positive exposure for you and your business, without any heavy lifting on your end.

As an entrepreneur, I have successfully nurtured valuable relationships with the media by implementing effective public relations strategies. One such strategy involves consistently crafting insightful articles for publication in various newspapers. Additionally, I frequently provide expert commentary and opinions upon request from respected journalists and newspapers. These contributions have been well-received by the media, as they recognize the mutual benefit derived from our collaborative partnership. I firmly believe that fostering these enduring relationships is paramount to building a strong, recognizable brand for both my company and myself.