A Simple Media Relations Equation

A wise Canadian noted recently that you must break something down to simple/common terms to describe it most effectively. He gets even more points by referencing Ghostbusters and Twinkie snack cakes to prove his point.

So here’s a pretty simple logic equation you can use to remember an important tip for media relations and career relations.

Pitch Letter is to News Release as Cover Letter is to Resume

A press release is not a pitch. Would you send a resume with no cover letter to a prospective employer?

In both instances, the letter provides context. You should pull out the value your release or resume offers that specific media outlet/editor and company/HR contact, respectively.

No one has the time to digest an entire news release or an entire resume to see why/how it applies to them. And the more I see just press releases being sent to me, without even so much as a salutation, the more I realize this is probably the reason so many hold such (deep) hatred for the news release format.

Help save the news release. Take the logical approach.

Bonus Link: Funniest Resume Mistakes via Matt Staggs

let there be light… uploaded by darkmatter
tags | public relations | PR | media relations | media | good pitch | bad pitch | bad pitch blog