WHAT IS IT?
You can have the most dialed in messaging and targeted press release, but if you’re not targeting the right audience and pitching the right publications, what’s the point?
What is a Media List? A media list is your lifeline to the press. It is a document that houses all information and research on your media publications and press. This includes reporters, bloggers, TV producers, freelance writers and editors across print, online, radio and television
Why is it important? It is important because it forces you to think long and hard about who should receive your news, who your audience is and how you will approach them.
When you’re ready to send out your press release, you need this ready. This will be a relevant document for you.
Building a Media List
There are two things you need to take into account before you start creating your media list.
- It’s important that you identify who your target audience is ahead of time, since the sole purpose of this exercise is to figure out how to reach them.
- Pro tip: remember that your audience aligns with your PR objective.
- Remember this is an iterative document that needs to be updated consistently since the media landscape is always changing. It is common for reporters to move to different publications, and also get title changes and promotions. So keep an eye out.
Media List Template
Below is a media list template that I’ve created for you. Open up an Excel Doc. Create these Columns and Rows. There are 5 areas for you to fill out.
- Column One is the name of the publication (for example, you might write Forbes or The Economic Times). Remember, these publications need to map to your audience and what they are reading. If your audience reads it, list it here.
- Column Two stores the name of the reporter at that publication that you will be emailing.
- Column Three is the reporters’ title or beat (for example: Health reporter, or Business editor)
- Column Four holds their contact information – their email, social handles and phone number
The last column is a placeholder for your notes. You might write, “Ravin Rao has a weekly column, writes for both print and online and has covered my competition.”