Whether you’re working on client events or looking to elevate your broadcast news presence, you need a strong grasp of how to craft impactful media alerts. This article will introduce you to the techniques that will help you captivate and elevate your media relations game.
A media alert is an announcement of a current or upcoming event intended specifically for journalists. Also known as media advisories, they have the purpose of convincing reporters that your event is a genuine news story worth coverage.
Unlike press releases that provide comprehensive details of the news story, media alerts are concise attention-grabbing notices designed to pique the interest of journalists and encourage them to learn more. They typically include what journalists refer to as the 5 Ws – who, what, where, when, and why – so that they can quickly and easily understand the significance of your news announcement.
To maximize your chances of capturing the attention of journalists, it’s important to release your alerts at the right time. Doing your research can help you determine when the target audience and journalist are most active and receptive to your announcements.
Make sure your media alerts are easy to read by including supporting evidence, such as quotes from people who are directly involved in the story or opinions from industry experts. It’s also a good idea to include visual content that captures the essence of your news. To make it easier for journalists to follow-up on your announcements, be sure to include the contact information of one person from your chapter.