Selected Press Releases

Media Relations Advice From a Pro

If your company is seeking publicity and sends out press releases or case studies to editors, writers, reporters and bloggers, or if you request that your public relations agency or consultant do it, be prepared for the following:

It's quite possible that you may receive a call from a reporter, writer, editor or blogger wishing to set up an interview regarding the topic. Agree to it. DO NOT say, "Everything that you need to know is in the press release." Many, many news sources do not wish to use press releases or case studies verbatim. They wish to have their own writing staff members do the writing in the style that they prefer.

Be thankful for each inquiry you receive and be gracious, agreeing to the interview whether you consider the media source to be worthy or not. If you or your PR firm has reached out to a traditional publication, online news source, radio or television station, you must, in return, agree to the interview. Otherwise, you will probably never again have another opportunity with that particular resource.

Set the scheduled interview time quickly in order to meet the writer's deadline. This is not your party – the person conducting the interview is the one who is in control.

Do not demand to see the article prior to publication. It is perfectly acceptable to offer a quick read of the article draft IF the writer wishes you to check facts or add better information that you might think of AFTER the interview has been completed.

Do ask for a copy of the article/publication to be sent to you once it has been printed/published or for a link to the article to be emailed to you if the article is published online.

All of the above is just common courtesy. If you seek attention, then respond quickly and in the affirmative. Otherwise you will destroy your credibility and your organization's credibility with the media.

For more information, contact kelly@kellygriffin.com or call 757-824-6432.