Recycling Media

May 27th, 2008 at 09:41am Cindy Harris

Just like any business, the media also has its cycles. There are some stories you can always count the local media to cover depending on the time of the year. Smart business owners will examine these cycles and position themselves as experts on the topic to get some coverage in the stories that are bound to come out.

Some suggestions for working with the local media: Be a one-stop shop for time-pressed reporters - think about all the angles of the story and be prepared to talk about it expertly and on the record/on-camera. Offer satisfied customers as additional sources and have a few ideas for what the TV camera or newspaper photographer might be able to “shoot” for the story’s visuals.

Below are topic ideas to get you started thinking for the upcoming summer “media season.”

Spring/Early Summer
New beginnings, vacation plans, picnics, outdoor topics. General stories that are light and fun are well-received during this time of year include:

Summer
As the summer wears on and the heat rises, no one feels like doing much of anything. This is a good time to pitch entertainment stories or other wacky ideas that reporters may not have had time, up until this point, to cover.

• Light business stories (Trend pieces, technology, new products)
• Back-to-School (Supplies, education trends, back-to-school fashions)
• Outdoor activities (Camping, swimming, gardening)
• The heat (Heatstroke, auto maintenance, sunscreen, air conditioning)

Key dates in June, July & August:

• Flag Day (June 14)
• Father’s Day (June 15)
• Junteenth (Jun 19)
• Summer begins (Jun 21)
• Independence Day (Jul 4)
• Parents Day (Jul 27)
• Friendship Day (Aug 3)
• Labor Day (Sept 1)

Entry Filed under: Media relations, Public Relations, Tips & Tricks