A news alert is an immediate notification sent out to the public about a developing story or event. These are typically disseminated across multiple platforms including TV, radio and websites and often include essential information like the five Ws (who, what, when, where and why) to help audiences grasp a situation quickly.
Media Alerts
In today’s digital world, getting your clients mentioned in the news is a big deal. Setting up Google alerts for your clients’ names, competitor names and industry keywords is an effective way to keep your finger on the pulse of online conversations and capture new opportunities for publicity. But mastering the art of crafting impactful media alerts is no small feat.
To maximize the effectiveness of your media alerts, keep in mind a few key points:
Craft Your Headline
Grab the reporter’s attention with an eye-catching headline that clearly conveys why this is a newsworthy event. If a newsmaker like your mayor, governor or senator is attending, make sure to highlight this in the alert. This will give the event a local angle that reporters are usually interested in.
Length isn’t a factor for alerts or press releases, which typically run less than one page. Focus on the information that makes this event newsworthy and provide contact information for someone from your organization who reporters can interview or find more information from. Also, if there are any photo opportunities, make sure to include those in the alert.
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