Ummm, No! That's Not How It Works

Most publications have a 6-month to 12-month policy regarding a 2nd feature on the same person or company. This is in place so reputitious information is not circulating on the platform. Here’s the real truth: there’s no updates anyone or any company can have in less than 6-month that is worthwhile reading. Never, ever follow-up with a writer 2-weeks after your client was just featured. Work on developing a better angle and story for a feature to run in a 9-to-12-month period. 

Everyone has value that they bring to the table. There’s a difference in mindset from paying your dues to deserving to get paid for the value you bring to the table. As an entrepreneur, you have to know your worth (how much your time and skill-set is worth) and then add tax to your pricing. You deserve to get paid!

Everyone with a product or service wants to be featured in a top tier media outlet like Good Morning America or New York Times. Some people resort to advertorials, which is becoming more popular in the media landscape as competition grows. Advertorials are paid articles in publication and cost thousands of dollars. However, not all are legit - many are scams. In this episode, we discuss what an advertorial is and why you should avoid it as you build out your brand.

As the world opens back up our lives are going to drastically change once again with in-person events, commute times and vacation plans. The time that we used to have to jump on a Zoom call because we were home is no longer going to be reality. How do we maintain the relationships we’ve cultivated over the past year. Join us on this episode of Ummm, No! as we explore how to deal with the anxiety of dressing up again and the fostering of friendships.

As a writer, the worst interview you can have is with a person whose answers are all rehearsed, they only give surface answers and all of their answers can be found in another article. There are ways to stand out, make an impact and share meaningful stories. On average, writers receive 1,500 pitches a month. During the pandemic, everyone started a CBD oil company, skincare line or fashion brand. You have to stand out. No one cares about your product. If that’s what you lead with, your article success rate will be low. Lead with your story, people will care; it will differentiate you from the other thousand people doing what you’re doing.

Dr. Cheryl Robinson & Tara Ackaway share ways on how to mentally refresh. It’s important to have a clear headspace. One way to be at peace is to adopt the “your issue is not my issue” mentality. Instead of trying to contort yourself to fit everyone else’s needs, go into the situation peacefully and hold your ground. 

Continuously learning is a recipe for success. If you are the smartest person in the room, find a different room. In PR, media and entrepreneurship it’s important to research trends, pop culture and the news. This will help you grow your business and help you remain relevant in the industy. Dr. Cheryl Robinson and Tara Ackaway share ways to remain a student in an ever changing world.

Communication is key to success. Whether you are pitching to media, pitching to clients or writing an article, the way a person communicates determines how well the message is perceived and shared. Dr. Cheryl Robinson and Tara Ackaway share how to affectively share messaging and be heard and recognized.

Into every situation, one must set expectations. While pitching, understand that writers get anywhere from 500-2,000 pitches a month. You may not land a feature right away or even a response. After the feature, writers have expectations - always promote the article and tag the writer. 

Media kits are essential whether you’re an established brand or a startup. It provides writers & media outlets with the most up-to-date and relevant information needed for an article. Google Drive is a good place to create the media kit folders. Organizing the information from the start can help during a short deadline. 

Episode 9 shares the do’s & dont’s of the media kit. 

Everybody wants to be featured in top tier media publications. That would be nice! But, what credibility do you have? It is very difficult to get national coverage when you don’t have local coverage. There are many benefits in securing spots in local media publications, including gaining and developing credibility. Writers are more inclined to entertain a person and/or company that have been featured in other publications. Join us on this episode as we explore the benefits of landing local coverage.

We’ve all been there: “why did I say that?” It’s ok. We’re all human. However, when you‘re speaking with a top tier media publication, it’s important to be composed. Media training is helpful because it’s NEVER OK to rewrite an entire article and ask the writer to take down the original article and replace it with the rewritten one. Also, it’s industry standard for quotes to remain as is. That’s why media training is so important. 

On Episode 6, we explore what’s been going on lately in the media landscape with people still working from home and how you can pivot in the media landscape.  Always be open to pivoting! Things may not go as planned and you’ll need a backup in order to get featured in top tier media publications.

The chic publicist & sassy writer chat with Jessica Licciardello, creative director for Bella Magazine, about what makes an article aesthetically pleasing from the editoral side of media. We discuss pictures for articles and how publicists can assist in making sure that their clients story is also revealed through photos placed in the article. 

It’s so important in the media landscape to know your role. Whether you’re a publicist, writer or client, there are certain expectations that need to be met and managed. The writer gets the story out there, the publicist provides as much information as possible and the client is supposed to share an enticing story. 

There are bullet proof ways to connect with writers from top tier publications and there are ways which guarantee that the writer will never answer your email or want to write about your clients. We share how to positively build relationships with writers.

The Sassy Writer & Chic Publicist emphasize that burning a bridge in media will set you back in the long run. We share stories of how publicists and clients have burned a bridge, and how hard it will be for them to mend the relationship. Relationships are your most valuable asset. Knowing when to ask for a favor is critical. If you've reached out to a writer, DO NOT follow-up in less 48 hours, especially under 24 hours. Let's go from Ummm, No! to Hell, Yeah!

Have you ever been disappointed after securing an interview at a top tier media publication? Maybe you were looking forward to interviewing someone or maybe you were looking forward to your client being featured on a national talk show to only having your expectations knocked down a notch. In Episode 2, Dr. Cheryl Robinson and Tara Ackaway help you manage expectations, what NOT to do and HOW TO manage certain situations.