5 Ways to Improve Your Chances of Getting Media Coverage of Your Event

Getting on the ten o’clock news is easy for violent crime offenders and dead-beat politicians, but for the rest of us – it’s a challenge. I often speak to clients who are frustrated about the lack of attention they receive from the press. Most news stations won’t attend a fundraising event unless their anchor or reporter is hosting, but there are other ways to ensure your event newsworthy or at least news friendly.

Consider the following and make yours an affair to remember, or should we say cover:

1. Time - Be sure your event is held at a desirable time for the media to attend – early breakfasts and late dinners won’t get you coverage. Consider an 11 a.m. start time during the week. Wednesday is generally the best day for the media. Newsrooms operate 24/7 and they generally have more staff on the clock midweek.

2. Attendees – Securing local politicians and celebrities helps your press release get pushed up to the top. You’ve proved that you mean something to somebody.

3. Visuals – Secure something visual for your event. For example, ground breakings and dedications are not desirable because there isn’t much to see. I once planned a ground breaking where we unfurled a banner that was 30 feet in length from the top of a building. Rather than just shooting people turning dirt, news cameras got to see what the future building would look like on a grand scale! This visual got us great coverage.

4. Relevancy –How relevant is your event to recent local news coverage? Try finding an angle that relates to what is being written in the headlines. For example, if you are a non-profit, your organization may have a month in which its cause is recognized – i.e. October is breast cancer awareness month. Private companies should consider tying into latest trends – i.e. the economy.

5. Research – Search your cause or industry online and see how others have gotten coverage. What makes headlines in Atlanta or LA could also make the news in DFW.