Having a handful of go-to media contacts is any PR professional’s ultimate goal – but it doesn’t
happen overnight. There are hundreds of others like us striving to get their clients on top national outlets, so setting yourself apart from the crowds and creating a relationship with journalists is a must but slow process. Being patient and persistent are two of the top values to keep in mind as you embark on the journey of developing your list of personal media contacts. Here’s how to do that:
Read their articles
Get to know the media contacts you’re hoping to connect with by reading their latest work. Knowing the topics they cover and the resources they typically use for their articles is a great way to have a better understanding of who they are and if they truly are a fit for you.
Share the love
Not only should you be reading their articles, but you should also be sharing those across social media – especially Twitter and Facebook. Copy the link of the article, post it on your social page and tag the journalist (and outlet). This is an easy and effective way to start developing the relationship you’re hoping to one day secure. From personal experience, journalists take note of that and will look at you differently knowing you’re already a fan of theirs.
Be patient
This sounds like a no-brainer but seriously, don’t email media again without waiting a couple days. Journalists are constantly on deadline and don’t have time to answer every single email that comes through right away. Usually 2-3 days is a good waiting period before reaching out to touch base with them. Oh and please, don’t pick up the phone and call them.
