How Relationship Building is at the Heart of Getting Featured
Aug 22, 2023Here at Visibility on Purpose, we focus on the long term strategy of building relationships. Just like in business, building relationships with media experts, writers, producers and show hosts is something that takes time. But the rewards far outweigh the time spent nurturing relationships. In todays, Visibility Era podcast episode, we interviewed Arianna Reardon.
Arianna is a former YouTuber and professional wrestler turned writer and pro blogger. Her favorite color is light pink and she feels most at home in the ocean, something she attributes to her rising Aquarius energy and Sagittarius moon. When she's not working, you can find her reading, swimming, cooking, playing The Sims 4, or impressing her fiancé, friends, and family by telling them what time it is based on the position of the sun.
Here's How To Build Relationships with Media Contacts
Pitch Like You're Pitching To A Human
It's easy when we sit behind these screens to forget that there is actually a person sitting on their computer opening up our emails. One of the greatest ways to standout when it comes to media outreach is to actually talk to the human. Maybe you are reaching out to an editor, and you love everything they write about on The Every Girl. Let them know that in the pitch! When you send your follow-up email, add in a personal anecdote and make sure to be amicable. One of the things that Arianna mentioned in this podcast episode was that Lydia was one of the first publicists she built an actual relationship with. Tune in to the episode to find out how.
Connect Outside of Email
Just because your relationship started through email doesn't mean you can't connect on Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn. Remember that podcast hosts, producers and editors are people too, so be human in your connection with them.
Bring Value & Be a Reliable Source
We're always talking about the value intersection here at Visibility on Purpose meaning finding that sweet spot between your zone of genius and what the media wants. Another way to build relationships is to provide valuable stories, ideas, resources and quotes to media contacts. This makes the job of a producer, host, editor and journalist even easier, and it makes them more likely to reach back out to you next time they are looking for expert commentary. Finding reliable sources for media is a huge priority, so be the perfect resource for the media.
Want to learn more about building relationships?In this Visibility Era episode, Arianna shared...
- What Makes A Pitch Standout & How To Get An Email Opened vs Thrown Into the Trash Bin
- The Importance of a Personalized Pitch (aka not one that has been mass produced, writers can tell!)
- How Arianna went from professional wrestler (yes, think the Bellas!) to a writer and blogger for top publications
- How Doing Research Before Sending Out Pitches Can Be The Difference Between Featured or Not
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Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts!
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