Posted on February 6, 2024

How to Leverage Local Media for Event Publicity

Do you want your event to be the talk of the town? Whether it’s a local food festival or the biggest coffee competition in the city, getting local media to cover your event can keep the buzz alive long after it’s over.

Forget about needing celebrities to attract the press. In this blog, we’ll show you how to get media coverage with five straightforward steps:

• Building a media list.
• Crafting an engaging press release.
• Creating a media-friendly event.
• Securing coverage even after the event.

5 Steps To Get Local Media To Cover Your Event

Landing coverage from media outlets for your event can be a game-changer, especially when targeting a local audience. To make your upcoming event a topic of conversation in your community, follow these five detailed steps:

Consult Your Media List

Building a comprehensive media list is your first step. This list isn’t just a collection of contacts; it’s your gateway to potential coverage. Your list should include:

• Local newspaper journalists who cover community events
• TV station contacts, focusing on community-oriented programs
• Radio stations, particularly those with segments on local happenings
• Influential bloggers and social media influencers who resonate with your target audience

Start forming these connections early. A well-timed introduction can set the stage for future coverage.

Craft a Press Release

Your press release is your event’s handshake with the media. It needs to be informative yet captivating. Make sure to include:

• Precise details of the event (date, time, venue)
• The core mission or purpose of your event, highlighting its relevance to the community
• Sponsor information, showcasing any high-profile or local business involvement
• Unique and enticing elements that set your event apart
• Professional, high-resolution photos that paint a picture of what to expect
• A compelling summary with a clear call to action for media members
• Your direct contact information for follow-ups

Remember, a well-crafted press release can differentiate between a journalist’s interest and your email landing in the trash.

Send a Personal Invitation

Stand out with a tailored approach. Research each journalist’s recent work and interests. For instance:

• If a reporter is interested in dogs, highlight your event’s unique pet feed offerings.
• Mention specific reasons why your event aligns with their beat or interests.

Include a convenient scheduling link and express your enthusiasm for their potential coverage.

Make Your Event Media-Friendly

Think of your event through the lens of a journalist:

• Avoid scheduling conflicts with major local events.
• Create visually appealing setups for photographs and live coverage.
• Choose spokespeople or panelists who are knowledgeable, charismatic, and media-savvy.
• Set aside a dedicated space for media to work, including quiet areas for interviews and good vantage points for photographers.

These considerations ensure the media has everything they need to cover your event effectively.

Reach Out After Your Event

Post-event engagement can be just as crucial as pre-event promotion. If the media missed your event:

• Send a well-organized package of event highlights, including professional photos and video clips.
• Include compelling quotes and a concise event summary.
• Actively engage with journalists and photographers on social media, tagging them in relevant posts.

This step can encourage media coverage even after the event, keeping the momentum alive.

By following these steps, you’re not just inviting the media to cover your event; you’re offering them a story worth telling. It’s about crafting an experience that resonates with your audience and the media.

Why You Should Invite Local Media To Cover Your Event

Engaging local media to cover your event is not just about disseminating event details; it’s about weaving your event into the fabric of the community. By tapping into networks of local radio stations, newspapers, and online platforms, you open doors to valuable media coverage that resonates with your target audience.

Enhanced Visibility

When local media spotlight your event, you unlock a level of visibility beyond conventional advertising. These media outlets have a significant reach within the community, allowing your event to gain extensive exposure.

This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about connecting with a local audience in a way that feels personal and direct. The story of your event becomes a narrative shared across living rooms and social media feeds, making your event a topic of conversation in the community.

Take, for example, our experience at Vollgas-Marketing agency with our event about webdesign & graphics in Kiel for college students. Local media coverage played a pivotal role in amplifying the event’s reach. Not only did it highlight the creative talents of these students, but it also painted our agency as an integral part of nurturing young talent in the community.

Networking Opportunities

Media coverage often acts as a beacon, drawing in other businesses, organizations, and local influencers. It’s a ripple effect where your event’s visibility opens up avenues for networking and collaboration.

These connections can lead to partnerships or future support, laying a foundation for growth and community integration. Media presence can turn an event into a networking hub, facilitating relationships beyond the event’s duration.

Customer Perception

The way the media portrays your event can significantly influence public perception. Positive coverage can bolster your business’s image, showcasing your event and brand in a favorable light.

It’s also an opportunity to address and reshape any negative aspects proactively. This media narrative shapes how customers and the community perceive your brand, potentially transforming their engagement with your business.

Long-Term Impact

The impact of media coverage is not fleeting; it has a lasting effect. Coverage in articles, photos, and videos continues circulating and garnering attention long after the event. This ongoing exposure keeps your event and brand in the public eye.

Moreover, it creates a historical archive of media content that can be referenced in future promotions, adding layers to your brand’s story.

Inviting local media to cover your event is more than just a strategy for immediate publicity. It’s a powerful tool for building a lasting relationship with your community, enhancing your brand’s narrative, increasing your local SEO ranking, and setting the stage for future success.

Tips on Working with Local Media

When it comes to event planning, one of the keys to hosting a successful event is effectively working with local media.

Whether promoting events through press releases or directly reaching out to your target audience, understanding different media contacts’ unique needs and schedules is crucial. Here’s how to navigate the distinct landscapes of local TV, newspapers, magazines, blogs, and radio for optimal media engagement.

Local TV

Local TV coverage thrives on visual appeal, emotional stories, and conflict. Keep in mind:

• TV newsrooms are complex operations with tight schedules.
• Crews may have limited time at your event, so plan accordingly.
• Be flexible and help them capture compelling visuals and interviews quickly.
• Prepare to facilitate their technical needs, like audio source access.

Newspapers, Magazines, and Blogs

Print and digital media, including newspapers, magazines, and blogs, look for in-depth stories with context. To engage them:

• Avoid generic mass emails; personalize your pitches.
• Be prompt in providing information and respect their subject interests.
• Understand their preferences for communication and deadlines.
• Veteran reporters value concise, relevant updates without over-explanation.
• Provide them with multimedia content options for their online platforms.

Radio

Radio media coverage is a blend of TV’s immediacy and newspapers’ depth. To effectively work with radio:

• Recognize that different reporters might cover your event on different days.
• Ensure access to compelling spokespersons and clear audio sources.
• Radio reporters may appreciate a heads-up about audio-specific logistics.

Final Thoughts

Effectively working with local media is vital for the success of your event. Remember to adapt your approach to each media type—TV, print, and radio—focusing on their unique requirements.

For TV, prioritize visual elements and efficiency; for newspapers, magazines, and blogs, emphasize personalized communication and in-depth storytelling; and for radio, ensure access to clear audio and compelling spokespeople.

By understanding and catering to these specific needs, you can maximize media coverage, enhancing the visibility and impact of your event.