7 Insider Tips for Building Better Relationships With Media

With credibility and authenticity at the forefront, understanding the intricate dynamics of media relations is crucial. Here are seven insider tips to help you build better relationships with the media, accompanied by a detailed do’s and don’ts table and the latest media relations statistics and best practices for this year.

Media Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s	Don’ts
Understand and research journalist’s beats	Send mass pitches that aren’t personalized
Provide timely and relevant information	Miss deadlines or schedules
Use data and insights to back your pitch	Rely solely on self-promotion
Prepare high-quality visual assets	Neglect the importance of visual content
Respect journalist’s time and preferences	Spam or over-follow-up with queries
Stay in touch and be proactive	Take a defensive stance if declined
Maintain transparency and honesty	Lie or exaggerate facts

Step 1: Prioritize Relevance to Capture Attention

Do:

1. Research Journalists’ Beats: Start by identifying journalists who cover topics relevant to your industry. Use tools like Muck Rack or Cision to find journalists writing about similar subjects.
2. Stay Updated: Follow their recent articles and social media activities to understand current trends and what topics resonate with them.
3. Craft a Tailored Pitch: Align your pitch with their recent work or interests. Mention specific articles they’ve written to demonstrate that you’re familiar with their coverage area.

Don’t:

1. Send Mass Pitches: Avoid generic emails that lack personalization. Tailor each communication to the specific journalist.
2. Ignore Themes: Don’t pitch stories that are irrelevant to their current focus or the publication’s audience.

Step 2: Offer What Their Audience Craves

Do:

1. Understand the Audience: Read the publication regularly to grasp the type of content that engages its readers.
2. Highlight Audience Benefits: Explain how your story provides value to their readership, including any insights or data points that might be particularly engaging.
3. Emphasize Relevance: Adjust your angle to fit the publication’s demographic and the journalist’s recent coverage themes.

Don’t:

1. Focus Only on Your Brand: Avoid pitches that revolve solely around promoting your company or product without considering the audience’s interests.
2. Neglect Context: Don’t send pitches that do not consider the publication’s style and the journalist’s tone.

Step 3: Leverage the Power of Visual Storytelling

Do:

1. Create High-Quality Visuals: Use professional tools or services to produce infographics, videos, and images that complement and enhance your story.
2. Ensure Relevance: Make sure your visuals clarify and enhance the narrative, rather than just being decorative.
3. Optimize for Platforms: Tailor visuals for specific platforms, like Instagram for images or TikTok for short videos.

Don’t:

1. Skimp on Quality: Avoid using low-resolution or poorly-designed visuals. High-quality content is more likely to be shared.
2. Overload with Data: Don’t cram too much information into one graphic. Keep it clear and focused.

Step 4: Back Your Pitch with Solid Data

Do:

1. Use Reliable Sources: Support your claims with data from credible sources like industry reports, surveys, or case studies.
2. Provide Clear Statistics: Include relevant, easy-to-understand statistics and trends that validate your story’s premise.
3. Keep It Relevant: Ensure the data directly supports the angle of your pitch and the publication’s interest.

Don’t:

1. Manipulate Data: Avoid presenting misleading statistics or cherry-picking data. Honesty is paramount.
2. Overwhelm with Numbers: Don’t overload the pitch with excessive data. Use key stats to make a compelling case.

Step 5: Craft Shareable Social Media Pitches

Do:

1. Create Engaging Content: Develop pitches that include catchy headlines, short descriptions, and compelling visuals optimized for social sharing.
2. Provide Shareable Assets: Include pre-crafted social media posts, hashtags, and multimedia assets that are ready for instant sharing.
3. Engage Influencers: Identify and reach out to social media influencers who could amplify your story.

Don’t:

1. Ignore Platform Dynamics: Don’t use the same content across all platforms. Tailor your content based on each platform’s unique dynamics and audience.
2. Neglect Mobile Optimization: Ensure that all your content, especially visuals and videos, are optimized for mobile viewing.

Step 6: Become a Trusted Source

Do:

1. Provide Expert Insights: Offer valuable, expert commentary on relevant topics, even when not directly related to your brand.
2. Be Responsive: Respond promptly to journalists’ requests and follow-ups.
3. Maintain Reliability: Regularly check-in with journalists to stay top of mind and offer assistance.

Don’t:

1. Expect Immediate Coverage: Building trust takes time. Don’t get discouraged if coverage isn’t immediate.
2. Be Self-Centered: Avoid pitching only self-serving stories. Sometimes, provide value without expecting anything in return.

Step 7: Avoid Blacklist Behaviors

Do:

1. Respect Preferences: Understand and respect each journalist’s preferred communication style and follow-up protocols.
2. Be Professional: Maintain a professional and courteous tone, even if a pitch is declined.
3. Follow Up Thoughtfully: Follow up on pitches tactfully without being intrusive or pushy.

Don’t:

1. Spam: Avoid bombarding journalists with multiple pitches or follow-ups.
2. Distort Facts: Never exaggerate or lie about your story. Honesty builds long-term credibility and trust.

Ready to make your brand shine?

If you want to elevate your brand’s visibility, drive engagement, and build strong relationships with your audience, GLOW is here to help. Our premium media network, top-notch marketing strategies, and innovative PR solutions are designed to empower your brand and deliver results.

Contact GLOW Media Group to start your journey to success!