Chapter 7 Reflection

My three takeaways come from how to devise a media alert. A media alert is what invites the media to cover an particular story. There are steps to take that can help get your company “in the news.”

The first one is localizing this when you invited the media to interview one of your organization’s experts. The expert is then able to voice their opinion on the national story that is about to unfold.

The prominence approach is best when you are running a campaign. We all know in today’s world, most of us love any type of media that covers a well-known figure (EX. Justin Bieber) Finding a celebrity to be apart of your campaign creates media interest. The celebrity also doesn’t have to be a big-timer like Bieber it can even be a local small town hero.

The last takeaway was the strategy known as timeliness. You always want to get the news out when it happens. We like to be informed on an event as soon as possible, not two or three weeks later. Timeliness also can benefit what topic is best to present and when.

What did you read that made you think about public relations or public relations writing in a new way?

One thing I read that made me think about public relations writing in a new way is that when you are producing a media pitch you have to be able to find new “hooks” that are appealing to the media and put away your own self-interest.

What I read that is most useful for my current writing is that media alerts and news releases are similar in the way that they both include contact information that shows what organization is speaking. Contact information includes who the media can reach if there are questions along with an email and phone number. Media alerts are also complete in AP style and need to be brief

I am the type of person who wants a “yes or no” answer as soon as I submit my proposal. The thing with news alerts is that majority of the time a decision whether to cover your event won’t be decided till the day of or the day before the event. I am glad I read this because I would give myself anxiety in my profession thinking I was suppose to receive feedback sooner than the day before my event.