Posts Tagged handling the media

PR Week this week led on page 4 with the headline “Radio tops poll on influence.” For all our attention on social media, there’s a danger that we ignore what we hold most dear to our hearts.

Good radio won’t go away. It will only get better. Commercial Radio bosses realise that advertising and sponsorship will be gleaned from decent content not recycled pap. BBC also will aim for integrity from its programming.

Don’t forget that there are also community radio stations, local to you if you are in the UK, and internet radio stations (local and worldwide). Check out Shoutcast and Live365 for info on just how many internet radio stations there are. Not all of them have chat content but search, suck it and see.

Here are 10 tips for getting on the radio and linking the coverage with your social media:-

1. Relevance applies to Twitter as it applies to radio. Before ringing a producer of a programme, make sure the subject matter is relevant to the types of issue they regularly cover on the programme e.g. on BBC Radio Merseyside’s Roger Philips programme it’s about consumer affairs, local politics, the news issues of the day.

2. Timing. Don’t ring 5 minutes before they go on air. Check programme listings. Basic. Need I say more?

3. Preparation. Ensure you or your spokes person has some experience of talking on radio. There are many organisations that run media training courses. LJMU can run bespoke training days. Contact me keith@effective-media.co.uk for info.

4 The Four Point Rule.  Vital. Think of FOUR points you would like to make. Three should be crucial to the issue you are discussing but the vital one is the Call to Action. Don’t try to garble any more than four. Your message will be mixed. Guaranteed!

5. Oh did I mention News Release? (notice ‘News’ not ‘Press’ as radios print very little). If you can’t write one or don’t have time to draft one, there are those who can. 3 Options: a) I can recommend a PR agency b) I can get student help for you through our World of Work c) You can use my template which I can email to you. All I ask a friend add on my Twitter account

6 At the interview. Be courteous but assertive. Turn up 20 minutes beforehand and talk to the producer before brodcast to finalise the parameters for the discussion. Although you have had this convo before, sometimes the agenda changes e.g. the other guest doesn’t turn up or the presenter is off ill. Be prepared. be confident.

7. Social media 1: Secure  bounces to your blog or website IF the producer or presenter allows that. If not your response must be keyword rich. At the very least, make sure they get your name right your designation and the name of your blog or company so that people search for you after the interview.

8. Social media 2: Alert the producers that you have a blog. Get it in their contact books. Make yourself an expert and ensure you are the one contacted for views on your subject specialism.

9. Social media 3: Befriend producers and journalists on social media like Linkedin, Twitter, Digg and Facebook

10. Don’t puff. We know your product is brilliant but establish a rapport with your interviewer before you plug it. Get them on your side.

11. Hey you said 10! Ah But here’s the free bonus. Always offer future availability as you leave the studio. And, some radio stations have websites. Offer a URL to your blog. Stations get inundated with calls like “who was that bloke about the bikes?” The staff will welcome a further info slot to direct those calls to.