300 Seconds: How’s Your Media List?
Most people see April 1 on the calendar and think April fool. I tend to think differently, because I see the beginning a new quarter and the time to begin quarterly tasks. It’s important to have an updated media list for publishers who send authors to your store so they can do their own media outreach. You’ll want it to be current, so it’s time to look at that media list again.
There are two types of media lists. One is a list of top media outlets in your area with specific contacts that can be used as a tool for publishers who do media outreach for events. This is the one we’re looking at today. The other is more of a news release list, which we’ll tackle tomorrow.
Has anyone retired or moved on to a different market? It takes just a few minutes to call those on your list to verify that the contacts you have are still appropriate. Media outlets should include radio, television, and all of the weekly, daily, and specialty newspapers in your area. If the newspaper is large enough to have a book page and a children/family writer, list names for these individual specialties. And news directors at radio and television stations tend to change often, so be sure to call them. For each individual listed, include the name, title, e-mail address, phone and fax numbers, and mailing address.
Once you’re finished, add an “Updated 04/01/14” footnote, then save it as a PDF. Now it’s ready to send to any publicist who might be sending an author your way.
