Navigating Press Coverage for High School Students: Strategies for Success

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In today's competitive world, gaining press coverage can significantly amplify the impact of high school students, helping to raise awareness about their projects or bolstering their college applications. I had the pleasure of speaking with Sarah Hernholm , who shared valuable insights on how students can navigate the media landscape effectively.

Here are the key takeaways from our conversation :

The Importance of Clarity and Honesty

Before reaching out to the media, it's crucial to understand the "why" behind seeking press coverage. Sarah emphasized the importance of having clear and honest intentions when approaching reporters. By being transparent, students can build genuine relationships with media outlets, laying a strong foundation for future interactions. This authenticity also helps ensure that press coverage aligns with students' broader goals, such as college applications or career aspirations.

Building Positive Relationships with Reporters

Sarah highlighted the significance of nurturing relationships with reporters. Showing appreciation for their work and demonstrating a willingness to share their content can create a positive rapport. This encourages reporters to cover more stories from students in the future.

• Personalized Outreach: Tailoring pitches to specific reporters or outlets can greatly enhance the chances of coverage. Conducting research to find reporters who cover relevant topics is essential for effective pitching, ensuring that pitches resonate more strongly.
• The "Gratitude Sandwich": A successful pitch should include gratitude, a clear ask, and a commitment to share coverage. This "gratitude sandwich" helps structure pitches effectively, starting with appreciation, followed by a direct ask, and ending with a commitment to share coverage.

Celebrating Successes and Sharing the Journey

Recognizing and celebrating milestones is key to maintaining momentum. Involving mentors and supporters in the journey fosters a positive dynamic, benefiting everyone involved. This communal approach also encourages future media coverage, as strong relationships build trust and engagement.

Final Thoughts:

• Purposeful Storytelling: Aligning press coverage efforts with future goals ensures strategic planning and meaningful outcomes.
• Transparency and Authenticity: Honest communications build trust, fostering sustainable media relationships.
• Gratitude Sandwich: Fostering positive relationships through a structured pitch helps start with appreciation, followed by a clear ask, and ending with a commitment to share coverage.

By applying these strategies, high school students can successfully navigate the media landscape, building relationships and securing press coverage that benefits their projects and future aspirations in college and beyond. For more information on Sarah's work supporting student entrepreneurs, visit doingwit.org .

As always, our goal is to empower your family to make informed decisions that best serve your student's future. Stay tuned for more insights and strategies by hitting the “Subscribe” button. For personalized guidance, explore Ivy Insight for tailored support on your college admissions journey. And for more tips on embracing your authentic self, check out my book, "Get Real and Get In" at St. Martin's Press.