Contacting the Right News Media Person

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Contacting the Right News Media Person - By M-Squared

Trying to get your press release or media kit into the right media persons hand can become an obstacle if you don't know the right person. Through the years I have found that knowing the right person/department helps in getting the information disseminated. Recently while serving on a public relations committee for an arts organization I developed a cheat sheet for them to use. You can find this on my website at this URL http://m-squared.org use the link NEWS MEDIA GUIDE

Many times artist/musicians/bands don't get the desired results all because their information got sent to the wrong person/department. The twenty years I have been working as a public relations specialists with arts organization I have yet to not see one of my press releases get published. Though I learned the hard way and thus the cheat sheet was developed.

You want to target the right department that can assist you with getting your information published. IF you are simply promoting a new release you would want to contact the eatures or entertainment editor. They are the ones that farm out news stories to the writers. In television that person is called the news assignment editor. However, try and make each press release something of value. Instead of the typical who, what, where theory try and make your new release original and different than the others. Make it an event! Such as capitalize upon the strengths and unique skills that separate your artistry from others. Generic stories are a dime a dozen and will most likely be thrown in the wastebasket.

If you are playing at a local venue and this marks your 500th time there, then focus on that, instead of date, time and place. Make your story interesting and worthy of news paper inclusion. They want the different, the weird, and the unique.

But what ever you are trying to promote always get it into the right hands with a follow up call. Most papers today have a website with the email listings of their respective writers and departments. Spend some research time and utilize this electronic tool to your advantage. An email, with a follow call normally gets their attention. Just call and introduce your self to see if they did get the information and if they need any other information to contact you. That simple nothing more nothing less it helps them know you and your email news story. You just want to get their attention. Normally that is all that it takes and sit back and watch the papers.

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M-Squared is an artist utilizing his talents through poetry, graphic arts, and photography. He has been published numerous times and has received various awards for his art. He spends his time in Oklahoma City working with others to improve and grow the artists community within Oklahoma. He serves on several art boards and volunteers his time teaching meditation. M-Squared has spent over 20 years within the art community as a musician, artist, poet, manager, promoter, and radio personality. He brings a varied background to assisting others and using art to help make this world a better place to live.

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