Oladele Ogunlana, arpa’s Post

It can be easy to forget the basics when you’ve been working in communications for a while, and we loved this refresher by our media and comms consultant, Tyla Lane. Tyla attended Communication and Public Relations Australia's Meet the Media panel event, and here are her top three takeaways. 📣 Know the journalist you’re pitching to: It sounds like an obvious one, but if there’s one thing journalists hate, it’s when they receive a pitch that shows you don’t read their work. So, delve into past articles to truly understand what each journalist is interested in. Sending five thoughtful, well-researched pitches is more effective than 100 with a copy-paste message. Not only will this make every journalist feel recognised and understood, but it builds a respectful connection that will come in handy for future collaborations.  And to keep track, it’s helpful to create a document with mini bios for each journalist. This can include details about their background, key interests and their preferred contact method — giving you the ultimate cheat sheet.  🥷 Master the art of subtlety in your pitch: Journalists love to feel like they’ve discovered a story rather than receiving something that is shoved under their noses. Leaving out some details in a pitch can actually spark interest and leave them wanting more. However, it’s crucial not to assume that every journalist is familiar with the background of your pitch. Striking a balance between being casual and concise, and providing just enough information can really make a difference.     ☔️ Avoid common media outreach errors  When reaching out to journalists, it’s best to keep a few things in mind to make sure your pitch hits the mark. First, refrain from including direct links, as journalists are often cautious about clicking on unfamiliar URLs. Avoid persistent follow-ups that might come across as pushy, and steer clear of attaching large files to your emails to keep things easy and accessible. And although it may seem obvious, always double check that you’ve got the spelling of the journalist’s name correct!  #SkillDevelopment #EffectivePitching #MediaPanel #Communications #PublicRelations  

📰 What differentiates the work of a journalist and a public relations specialist? Although their missions are quite different, much more unites them than sets them apart, particularly how they operate. Both rely on staying current with news, strategic thinking, and content development, they guide our daily actions and influence the work that reaches the public through the media outlets. Bárbara Barbosa, a former journalist, explains that PR specialists can be great assets to journalists as they both have their missions and place when it comes to providing interesting and working in a symbiotic relationship that offers "exclusive interviews and content, provide in-depth insights into the organizations they represent, and share knowledge about their sectors". Learn more on our Medium at https://lnkd.in/dGrVvVyb #PR #Journalism #Communication

The Fine Line: Over-Communication with Journalists and Its Consequences As PR professionals, building strong relationships with journalists and senior editors is crucial. However, there's a delicate balance to maintain. Over-communication and over-sharing can have unintended consequences, damaging your company's reputation. While fostering friendships and goodwill is essential, it's vital to remember that journalists are not confidants. Sharing unnecessary information can create unrealistic expectations and blur professional boundaries. When you over-share, journalists may come to expect similar levels of access in the future, potentially creating unrealistic expectations. The consequences of over-communication can be severe. Company secrets or sensitive data may be compromised, and journalists may form negative opinions or biases. This can lead to strained relationships with journalists and media outlets, loss of credibility and trust, negative coverage or sensationalized reporting, and long-term damage to your company's reputation. To avoid these pitfalls, it's essential to maintain open yet professional communication. Share information judiciously, only when necessary, and set clear boundaries and expectations. Prioritize transparency without compromising confidentiality. Effective media relations require balance and discernment. Nurture relationships, but prioritize your company's interests. In a nutshell, keep it professional.

Nothing makes me cringe more than reading in a newspaper or magazine article, “Company spokesperson declined to comment,” or “Public Relations Director XYZ said, ‘no comment.’” Read my latest article on Medium - "No Comment is No Good" - and please share! I quote Paul Farhi's Columbia Journalism Review article. #publicrelations #pr #smallbusiness #leadership #media

Nothing makes me cringe more than reading in a newspaper or magazine article, “Company spokesperson declined to comment,” or “Public Relations Director XYZ said, ‘no comment.’” Read my latest article on Medium - "No Comment is No Good" - and please share! (I quote Paul Farhi's June 24 Columbia Journalism Review article.) #publicrelations #pr #smallbusiness #leadership #media

Three underrated skills in PR agencies and company press offices 1. Being able to explain a complex subject clearly and concisely without having to go back to a company expert to arrange a second call with the journalist. The information can be on a background basis and paraphrased in the article. The best PRs/comms professionals make sure that they are well briefed on key subjects. They have the confidence to brief journalists and handle follow-up questions. 2. "Let me sort this" Being able to handle a difficult business executive who, for example, is trying to insist on "quote approval" prior to publication/struggling to put things in plain language in an interview/failing to understand the transactional nature of journalism and PR. 3. Being able to pitch stories and write stories like a journalist PS: Did you you know that I've 20 years' experience advising companies and PR agencies on how to improve their media coverage, e.g. making the leap from trade media to national media? Need help? Message me on here or email me: [email protected]

“Off the record” Whilst prepping a spokesperson for that big press interview, in my twenty plus career in PR, I’ve always had to remind them of the fact that no journalist is your friend. They may chat with you on the phone, on text or in an email in a casual manner, typically bypassing the gatekeeper that is your PR and Comms contact, and you may exchange interesting commentory with them, but a journalist’s goal is to write the best, most dramatic, most newsworthy story possible – and not to be concerned about your sensibilities or that of your businesses’. You have to be careful and measured about what you say, and if you don’t want what you say to appear in a news story, preface it by the statement that - what you’re about to say is “off the record”. And even when you’ve used the magic phrase, remember that - that information is invaluable to the journalist and they may be eager to use it, so as a spokesperson, if you wish to ensure confidentiality, I would highly advise you to discuss the "terms of use" before disclosing it. Also, there are some journalists and news organizations that have policies against accepting information "off the record" because they believe it interferes with their ability to report truthfully, or because they suspect it may be intended to mislead them or the public. But remember this always, even if a journalist cannot report certain information directly, they can use "off the record" information to uncover related facts, or to find other sources who are willing to speak on the record. So tread with caution always, and work with your Corporate Comms and PR teams closely to ensure only the desired messaging is delivered, to avoid the fire fighting, that would follow after! #PR #MediaTraining #Offtherecord #SpokespeopleTraining #MessageDelivery #MediaRelations #PublicRelations

Some of my previous posts which deny the existence of god has given me some bad karma:p And not that many likes :( So here, is another heartfelt thank you note to my PR friends, who (shhh!!! it is a secret), do 75 per cent of my work :) Ah, the world of journalism—a glamorous realm filled with intrepid reporters chasing down leads, breaking news, and uncovering scandals, right? Well, not quite. In reality, most journalists are more likely to be found tethered to their desks, wading through a sea of press releases, social media updates, and carefully crafted pitches from the all-important Public Relations (PR) folks. Let’s face it: without PR professionals, journalists might just crumble into a pile of existential dread and unfiled stories. First off, let’s talk about the golden rule of journalism: “Always have a source.” What better source than a PR person who has their finger on the pulse of everything that’s happening in the world—at least, everything they want you to know? When a journalist is frantically typing away, they’re usually just one email away from a PR rep who can provide all the juicy tidbits and talking points they could ever want. And then there’s the sheer joy of deadlines. Imagine a world where journalists have to actually research their stories and interview people. Ugh! Who has time for that? With PR folks around, they can just pick up the phone and ask, “Hey, what’s the story today?” Voila! Instant article! It’s like having a cheat sheet for life, but without any of that pesky research. But let’s not forget the PR folks’ knack for spin. Journalists often find themselves in a sticky situation when they need to cover a not-so-flattering story. Cue the PR person, who swoops in like a superhero to craft a narrative that’s just compelling enough to make the story palatable. “Sure, it’s a scandal, but look at how many puppies we rescued this week!” A brilliant distraction, really. Without PR, journalists would have to grapple with the uncomfortable truth of their stories—what a nightmare! Let’s also acknowledge the critical role of PR in networking. Journalists without PR folks would be like lone wolves—confused, hungry, and desperately seeking social interaction. PR professionals throw events, press conferences, and parties where journalists can mingle, drink overpriced wine, and make connections. What a thrill! Who wouldn’t want to trade a solid story for a mediocre canapé? So, let’s give a round of applause to the PR professionals who keep the journalistic world spinning. Without them, journalists might just end up lost in a sea of facts, awkward interviews, and—gasp—actual work. In a world where breaking news is often just a well-timed tweet, we should all be thankful for our PR friends. After all, they are the unsung heroes of modern journalism, ensuring that reporters never have to face a blank page alone. Cheers to you, PR folks!

Hers’s something I wish I knew as an undergraduate: If you’re a young journalist, public relations personnel, or doing anything actively in the area of media and communications, one skill you need to hone and polish is that of media relations. You can be the best writer or speaker in the game, but there is almost a sure chance you won’t go far in your career if you don’t build healthy relationships with other journalists, reporters, bloggers, media houses, etc. This is one valuable lesson I have learned in the course of my practical experience as a young journalist so far. Whether nosing for stories in the field, or following up a lead in the newsroom, your relationship with your senior and junior colleagues in media practice must be symbiotic. The journey of media and communications is rarely a solitary one, and you will “suffer” if you choose to walk alone. If you also oversee the media activities of your employer or principal as a media aide, for instance, the media guys need you just as you need them to book quick news bulletins to make the evening news. You need them to quickly convert your press statements into news materials for release. You need them quickly on the ground when you schedule press conferences, interview sessions, and other media appearances in the bid to address a breaking story. Thing is, even though they have a responsibility to do their jobs, there’s no overstating how important your media relations skills should be with them. They rub your back, and you rub theirs– it’s an unwritten rule. - Repost, 2023.

Does media relations still matter? Editor of PR Academy Insights Richard Bailey Hon FCIPR makes the case: "Media relations was undoubtedly a core competence for public relations practitioners in the twentieth century. A quarter of the way through this century, there’s a case to be made that it represents the past rather than the present or future. Most obviously, journalists have lost the monopoly on news and a generation is emerging into the workplace that gains its news from social media rather from the print or broadcast media. And yet the proliferation of unmediated social media channels and the problem of misinformation and disinfomation mean that authoritative and trusted channels are more needed than ever. While the business model that has funded most quality journalism may be failing, society’s need for independent journalism has never been greater." We've pulled together thoughts and guidance on the subject into a briefing with contributions from Richard, our co-founder Ann Pilkington and CIPR PR Certificate course leader Maud Davis (FCIPR) (link to the briefing is in the comments). #publicrelations #pr #journalism #misinformation https://lnkd.in/eJf6-Jse