CREATING A TARGETED MEDIA LIST FOR YOUR PRESS RELEASE

This is a key tool for any small business

Press releases are an important tool for businesses and organizations to disseminate information to the media and the public. However, sending a press release to every media outlet is not always the most effective strategy. It is crucial to target the right journalists and media outlets to ensure that your message reaches the right audience.

Creating a targeted media list for your press release involves identifying the journalists and media outlets that are most likely to be interested in your story. Here are some steps to help you create a targeted media list for your press release:

Step 1: Identify your target audience

Before you start building your media list, you need to know who your target audience is. Who are you trying to reach with your press release? What is the message you want to convey? Answering these questions will help you identify the journalists and media outlets that are most relevant to your story.

Step 2: Research journalists and media outlets

Once you know your target audience, it’s time to research journalists and media outlets that cover your industry or topic. Use search engines like Google and Bing to find relevant journalists and media outlets. You can also use media databases like Cision or Muck Rack to find journalists and media outlets that cover your industry or topic.

Step 3: Create a spreadsheet

Create a spreadsheet to keep track of the journalists and media outlets you have identified. Your spreadsheet should include the journalist’s name, the media outlet they work for, their email address, and any notes or comments you have about them.

Step 4: Personalize your pitch

Once you have created your media list, it’s time to personalize your pitch. Start by addressing each journalist by name and include a brief introduction that explains why you are contacting them. Make sure to highlight the most important and relevant information from your press release.

Step 5: Send your pitch

Finally, it’s time to send your pitch to the journalists and media outlets on your list. Make sure to follow up with them after a few days to ensure that they received your pitch.

In addition to these steps, here are some resources that can help you create a targeted media list for your press release:

Medianet –?Medianet is Australia’s leading press release distribution service, providing access to over 10,000 journalists and media outlets across the country. They offer a media contacts database that can be searched by industry or topic, making it easy to create a targeted media list for your press release.

SourceBottle –?SourceBottle is a platform that connects journalists with sources for their stories. As a business or organization, you can use SourceBottle to find journalists who are looking for stories related to your industry or topic. You can also respond to journalist requests and pitch your story directly to them.

Australian Associated Press –?The Australian Associated Press (AAP) is Australia’s leading news agency, providing news coverage to media outlets across the country. You can use AAP’s MediaNet service to access their media contacts database, which includes journalists and media outlets across various industries and topics.

Press Release Services Australia –?Press Release Services Australia is a press release distribution service that can distribute your press release to targeted journalists and media outlets across the country. They also offer media lists that can be customized based on your industry or topic.

Cision?– Cision is a media database that allows you to search for journalists and media outlets by industry or topic.

Muck Rack?– Muck Rack is a media database that helps you find journalists and media outlets that cover your industry or topic.

Google News?– Google News allows you to search for news articles and journalists by topic or industry.

LinkedIn?– LinkedIn is a social media platform that allows you to connect with journalists and media outlets in your industry.

Twitter Advanced Search?– Twitter Advanced Search allows you to search for tweets that are relevant to your industry or topic. By using Twitter Advanced Search, you can find journalists who are active on Twitter and tweet about your industry or topic.

Hunter?– Hunter is a free email finder tool that allows you to find email addresses for journalists and media outlets. By using Hunter, you can find contact information for journalists and media outlets that cover your industry or topic.

BuzzSumo?– BuzzSumo is a free tool that allows you to find popular content related to your industry or topic. By using BuzzSumo, you can identify journalists and media outlets that have covered similar stories in the past and reach out to them with your press release.

Creating a targeted media list for your press release is an essential part of a successful PR campaign. By identifying the right journalists and media outlets, you can ensure that your message reaches the right audience and increases your chances of getting media coverage.

To your success, by finding the next right thing and mastering it!

Mike Johnston