A little bird tells me that Twitter can reinforce habits that, in turn, can improve our media relations efforts. 1)Brevity. More effective writing translates into a lower word count. Hey, even this post was going to be a top 5 list. 140 characters force you to be on topic. A three paragraph pitch (or less) should be enough for you to get your point across.
2) Links. Links point to an image, or an article, that payoff your tweets. Why aren’t you using more links, and fewer words, in your pitches? And URL shortening services allow you to track who’s clicking through.
3) Value. Consider the “law of thirds” when you tweet. You broadcast content, you converse with others and you serve up links of value. These links are not self-serving or pointing to your company website. That sounds a lot like becoming a source for a reporter, no?
4) Always On. Twitter follows you everywhere. If you want to you can even tweet a reporter from the potty. ew. Mobile Twitter devices I’m told also serve as mobile phones and email devices too.
So why are you giving these same media your desk phone number…in that pitch you sent right before leaving for lunch, or for the day, or for the week? If a reporter wants to contact you, they should be able to do so. Give them the best way to contact you so you can be responsive.
Twitter won't cure disease. It's a handy utility. But it can also help improve your pitches. And that's hot.
Richard and Kevin, Thanks for the "Top 4 Tips." I especially appreciate your brief, absolutely-'on-target' message and format.
ReplyDeleteVery Interesting. I def. agree with all of that. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kevin. Great summary. I'm gonna tweet this link to the students in my summer "Media Relations" class. But from my office, not the potty.
ReplyDeleteI've never seen much to point to the fact that reporters are engaged with Twitter. Until they are and are receptive to following PR pros, to me it has no real value.
ReplyDeleteThis is fresh, funny and fantastic. Will definitely share with my colleagues. Although not entirely applicable to our "scene" yet, a good glimpse of what may very well be to come for us in the field.
ReplyDelete"Always on" - I can't tell you how many times I've answered my cell and had a journalist thank me for leaving the number on my office voicemail message. I make myself accessible and reporters know it ... so it works.
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