An Editor’s Perspective
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I just had lunch with an editor at one of the large newspapers in town who opined on the surprising number of PR people who don’t know how to deal with the media. A few suggestions from someone on the inside…
1: Forget the News Releases. If you really want to be successful at placing stories, make a contact and develop a relationship with someone at the newspaper. When you have a meaningful story idea, make a call and pitch it.
2: Learn the Rules. If you must write a news release at least do it correctly. No two-page news releases. My source says she has NEVER seen a news release that has any meaningful information on the second page.
3: Ask Questions. The most successful PR people listen. Ask reporters and editors what types of stories they are interested in, how to best contact them, do they have any upcoming special sections, what are their deadlines, etc.
Where in the World is Anthony?
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Spoke this afternoon in Chicago at a financial managers conference. Business development tip no. 1 for all my many construction clients: THE two most important people to winning new projects are your PM and Superintendent. But are you preparing them effectively for interviews?
Spoke all day today at an insurance conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Presenting tip 30: Half your audience, at any given time, is mentally engaged in a deep personal thought. More if you're boring. Learn how to snap them back.
Spoke this morning at a credit union conference in Destin, Florida. News media tip 6: Don't waste a reporter's time by being unprepared. Facts+good quote=win for you.
Worked all day today with contractors in Lexington, Kentucky. Presenting tip 19: Don't let a mistake derail your entire presentation. Recover and move past it quickly and your audience will forgive and forget.
Gave opening keynote this morning at a tech conference in Boise, ID Communications tip 23: Your primary goal in every presentation, meeting, etc. is not to inform. It's to PERSUADE. Stop spewing content & instead convince your audience to pay attention & retain key information.