HOW TO GET PUBLICITY A Practical How-To for Your Business or Nonprofit

Lori Miller, Sales Marketing & Research WHNT News 19

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

HOW TO GET PUBLICITY

Let’s talk about common questions about publicity tactics

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https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

IS THE

PRESS

RELEASE

DEAD?

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COMMON QUESTIONS

RELEASE BETTER IDEA Reason-my event Reason-impact of my event Event details – sentence form Event details – bullets Typed quote from spokesperson People available for interview Event location Video / Photo opportunities Boilerplate Boilerplate + links to media page Media contact Media contact

Should I send a press release?

For TV – think visual!!

The event is never the story. The story is always about the people behind the event.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Who should I send my information to?

Get to know the… • News Director

• Assistant

News Director

• Assignment Manager

http://naprca.org/wp-content/uploads/NAPRCA_Pitching-stories-to-Alabama-Media-Group.pdf

“And the mayor’s going to be there!”

COMMON QUESTIONS

How early should I send it? When is too late?

Understand the news process (review meetings at 9:15am and 1:30pm) Events after 3pm make it difficult to tell complete stories Know what you’re competing against Timing is everything!

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COMMON QUESTIONS

How do I get an in-studio interview?

Ask! Book early Prep your speakers Arrive early Bring extras

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COMMON QUESTIONS

How do I get a PSA?

• The message of the PSA reflects a need in the community

• PSAs must be one of the following lengths: :10, :15, :20, :30 or :60.

• WHNT News 19 no longer accepts PSAs on tape

• No business logos or audio mentions for sponsors . And no websites that sell products

• PSAs promoting an event must be received a month before the event. Provide

start and end dates for campaign

• WHNT News 19 cannot guarantee PSA placement on our schedule

• Can’t provide list of air times

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COMMON QUESTIONS

How do we get WHNT to be a media partner?

Understand the number of asks Provide a tangible benefit – both ways Proposal for WHNT Marketing Committee

COMMON QUESTIONS

A FEW MORE THINGS TO KNOW

It’s a 2-way (be available) Customize your pitch Exclusivity Email is excellent

COMMON QUESTIONS THANK YOU! LORI MILLER WHNT News 19 lori.miller@whnt.com @lorimillerwhnt linkedin.com/blorimiller