If you want to publicize your book or area of expertise, you must do promotion. Often that means responding to media requests. If a reporter chooses you as a source, it can be a great way of marketing your business or book. But how do you catch a reporter's attention? Here are some tips.
Sites that Connect You with Reporters
Writers can get connected with reporters looking for stories by going to three valuable websites:
Sign up for a thrice-daily email from HARO and you'll receive links with reporter requests that include health and beauty, finance and business, lifestyle, entertainment, education, and more. Each entry provides you with the type of story being reported, the types of resources requested, and what type of expert the media professional is looking for.
With Pitch Rate, sites ask for pitches, or ideas for articles and segments. Writers can send an email with their suggestions and area of expertise, Finally, Reporter Connection allows you to register as a source or journalist. You receive a daily email, similar to the one HARO sends, that gives you requests that you can respond to.
How to Respond to a Media Request
In answering a media professional's request, it's important to provide specific information that answer's their question or desire. If he is looking for ideas on a certain subject area, come up with three to five possible topics that you could write or speak out on that specific area. For example, a reporter who requested "ideas about Valentine's Day" would be interested in: date ideas, gift ideas, tips for the perfect date, etc. Your response would include more detail on each of these ideas.
Some reporters are looking for sources and interviews on a specific story. For these, provide links to articles you may have written that answer their question, or take a moment to mock up an article you could write.
The key is offering specific examples to show a reporter that you have the expertise he or she is looking for. Never include miscellaneous information that a reporter probably doesn't care about, but do provide background that will show your credibility.
Creating Response Templates
If you plan to respond to several reporter requests per week, you could create a template that provides you a starting place with which to answer inquiries. The template could include links for a specific subject area, with verbiage on your background. If you are knowledgeable in several areas, you could write a template for each type of request.
The key to responding to any media inquiry is providing specific answers to a question or request. Never just give a general link to your website. Highlight your accomplishments in a succinct manner so the reporter knows you are the right person for him to talk to.
Cherie Burbach - Cherie Burbach writes about dating, relationships, health, sports, and lifestyle. She's the author of eleven books and ebooks.
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