Maintaining good media relations

• Get to know local newspapers, magazines, radio and regional TV – these all reach a local audience – i.e. target customers and potential customers, prospective employees and suppliers.
• Get to know key press and media contacts and find out what information they want. Establishing a good working relationship with journalists on specialist trade sector publications is crucial
• Learn to recognise a newsworthy story by reading publications regularly. Keep copies of printed stories that could be similar to your own and use these as a basis for your activity.
• Local newspapers are often very eager for stories with a personal slant, e.g. interesting application stories, charity connections, and employee angles.
• Local papers are often keen to promote local employers/businesses, but keep your press information concise ‘newsy’ and not too technical or jargon-based.
• Give the media plenty of prior notice of planned events.