A short version of a larger presentation giving invaluable tips on practices that increase the probability of securing media coverage for an event. These practices focus more on the psychology and mindset of journalist in print, radio, TV and web who have needs that need to be met by the PR professional coordinating the contact. The observations are based on 25 years of experience in communications as a writer, consultant and educator, and MS background in Journalism from Northwestern University in Illinois.

1. Five Great
Practices For
Attracting
Media Coverage
How to reach and cultivate radio, TV,
newspaper and magazine outlets for an
event

2. - Jerry Seinfeld, American
Comedian
“It's amazing that the amount of
news that happens in the world
everyday always just exactly fits
the newspaper.”

3. Event planning involves significant preparation. You have to
consider the technical arrangement of lights and sound, the
functional needs of hosting guests, and the kinds of promotion
that surround and integrate with the audience. Moreover, there
are aspects of scheduling to be considered, the safety of
attendees, and the generation of story material. You may all
these bases covered, but still face the challenge of attracting the
conventional media to attend and tell your story. There is
grassroots coverage one can employ by simply posting pictures
and videos on social platforms which has some value.
Nonetheless, how do you attract established media sources such
as radio, TV, newspaper and magazine outlets? The presentation
here captures a number of practices one can employ.

4. #1 Speak the Language
of News Reporters

5. • Speak the language of the
journalist. Use the
nomenclature that reporters and
commentators use in gathering
and dispensing news. Share
why the story is "timely and
relevant." Explain why the
story has "legs" beyond a news
cycle. Note if you have a
journalism degree or have
worked in the past as a reporter
then let your contact know that
you belong to the same tribe—
the storytellers of real events—
and build rapport.

6. #2 Know What
Motivates a Media
Reporter

7. The media world has its own psychology over
what makes a story newsworthy which may
not match up with perceptions of event
planners. Media reporters aren’t always
compelled to cover a story that’s “bigger,”
“better,” “the first” or “the last” of some
event, product or personality. When
approaching individual writers and reporters
along with their papers, stations and web
journals…ask yourself two questions: What
stories surrounding the event ADVANCE THE
CAREER of the journalist? What stories are
attractive (INCREASE SALES and/or
INTEREST) for the company medium of
communication the journalist represents? The
bottom line involves what is good for the
media writer and companies they represent.

8. #3 Cultivate Stringers
and Independent
Media Sources

9. Some organizers think news coverage is
secured by first pursuing full-time staff
writers and reporters while overlooking
independent news hunters. One of the
best sources for effective media
coverage can be found in cultivating
relationships with alternative
newsgathering professionals. Stringers,
freelancers and independent media
professionals are highly motivated to
find good story material. These media
reporters make a living in finding
overlooked stories. They pitch stories
related to your event (eliminating your
need to penetrate the circle of decision
makers). Freelancers and independents
tend to be easier to contact, too.
They are a superb resource.

10. #4 The Response to
Media Queries is one
of Top Priority

11. Most people understand that responding to a
journalist's call or question as soon as possible is
important. However, when juggling a dozen
other issues related to event management, it's
easy to delay a quick response. Nonetheless, it's
imperative to respond to the query of a reporter
in a timely fashion. Media reporters live in the
world of DEADLINES. Your quick response
builds CREDIBILITY with that media reporter
that you have made her or him a top
priority. You will be seen as a reliable and
responsive source for quotes and information
under DEADLINE pressures. It cannot be
understated as to how the consistent integration
of this practice produces significant results in
media circles.

12. #5 Give Media Reporters
Pithy, Pungent and
Powerful Lines

13. What makes a good story isn't always the
size of an event, products being displayed
or the appearance of a celebrity. Media
reporters want to know they can secure
from you extremely quotable
material. Great quotes make the media
reporter's story "sizzle," "stand out" and
"connect" with their consumers. It's an
art to train yourself or to find people in
your organization/event who can
juxtapose words in combinations that are
incredibly potent for reporters to use.
Quotes that engage the theatre of the
mind, use word-play, alliteration or
involve hard numbers and facts are
attractive.

14. By being quotable (Practice #5),
responsive to queries (Practice #4),
resourceful in using independent
reporters (Practice #3), knowing the
psychology of what drives media
reporters (Practice #2), and using the
language of the reporter to connect with
him/her (practice #1)...
you raise the probability of obtaining
media coverage for your event.
And...

15. ...you will create great PARTNERSHIPS
with those who report news.
For PR professionals, MEDIA
RELATIONS is the art of ethically
managing the needs of reporters and the
quality of the stories being told.
These five practices in how to attract media
coverage set the stage for garnering an
enthusiastic response from reporters that
exceed the standard contact methods of
leaving a phone message, emails, media
alerts and press releases.

16. Final Word
My intent with this short slide series is
to provide additional insights and tools
in securing media coverage for event
planners. The five practices listed in
here are part of a larger presentation.
Assistant Professor Bill Simon
Journalism and Public Relations
BIOLA University, Los Angeles