How To Make Yourself “Media Friendly”

Six quick steps to make you and your company more “media friendly.”

The details: Step One Working With Reporter Deadlines

  Know that when a reporter calls they are under a time deadline. No you can’t call them back next Wednesday. Chances are if they are calling now they need it now.

  Reporter deadlines are not like many of the deadlines in the corporate world. With the internet and 24-hour broadcast news there really could be a deadline every minute. Also with cut backs in staffing fewer reporters are doing more stories and they are being given less time to work on them.

  Work with reporters, understand there deadline needs and you become a resource that they go to over and over again to get a quote or information. Help them out once and they’ll be back because they’ll know are reliable and can be counted on.

  Remember media coverage equals free publicity. Think of it call commercial time that you don’t have to buy.

  One quick word about what to do when that reporter calls. Yes, they are on deadline and you want to help them out so you get the coverage. But, don’t rush into making a mistake in what you say. Instead when they call tell them something like “I just walked in can I call you back in five minutes.” That will give you time to think and that short wait for the five-minute call back will still meet their need for quick action.

  Also remember a session with a good media trainer will prepare you for these quick reporter encounters. Get a media coach before you get those reporter calls.

  Bottom line:

 Reporter deadlines are a fact of life in dealing with the media. Work with them, become a valuable resource and get free publicity for years to come. Get media training and be your best at dealing with the media.

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