Law Enforcement | Fire Service | Public Safety

Public Relations, OIS, and Critical Incident Consultation

Public Safety Website Design & Development

Recruiting, Critical Incident, and OIS Photo and Video Services

  • Home
  • Meet Tamrin
        • Tamrin Olden speaking to the news media at a press conference
        • Public Relations Consulting

          Your department’s messaging and reputation needs to be on-point both in good times and bad times.

        • Learn More
        • Website Design & Development

          Professional custom-built websites specifically designed for law enforcement, fire service, and public safety.

        • Learn More
        • Tamrin Olden of TOC Public Relations a social media class
        • Training Classes

          PIO, Social Media, Photo and Video training for law enforcement, fire service, and public safety.

        • Learn More
        • TOC Public Relations filming a news confernece
        • Content Creation

          Professional videography, photography, and graphics for recruiting efforts, OIS and critical incident videos.

        • Learn More
  • Training Calendar
        • TOC Public Relations
        • The TOC Public Relations Blog
        • News and Articles

          News, information, tips, and events for the social media and PIO community.

        • Read More
        • TOC Public Relations resources and tools
        • Resources

          Information, software, apps, legal info, and more.

        • Learn More
        • The TOC Newsletter
        • Get Our Newsletter

          Get our great blog, class announcements, and other info delivered to your inbox.

        • Subscribe
        • Send TOC Public Relations a message
        • Send a Message

          Have a question or just want to chat? Send us a message, and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible.

        • Send a Message
        • TOC Public Relations Consultation Request
        • Schedule a Consult

          Schedule a video meeting with Tamrin to see how you can get your agency on the path to greatness.

        • Schedule a Consult
        • TOC Public Relations Website Support
        • Support Request

          Need something updated or changed on your website? Having a technical issue? Submit a support request using the Asana App.

        • Submit A Request

Four Tips for Building Relationships With The Media

Aug 20, 2022 | Media Relations

Having a tight relationship with the media is critical in growing your organization, building authenticity, and gaining credibility.

But, many agencies and organizations struggle to set their footing in the media landscape, failing to forge relationships, often due to lack of time, skepticism, and mistrust.

It’s imperative to understand that the media plays a vital role in communicating your news to the public, whether you want it communicated or not. So why not take control of your narrative by building a relationship with the media?

Building these relationships is not as daunting as you may think. Sure it’ll take time, but it’ll be worth it when you begin to gain the benefits of controlling the narrative during a crisis, strengthening credibility, gaining third-party support, and bringing awareness to your agency’s professionalism.

Here are four simple ways your agency can build a positive relationship with the media.

Tip #1 – Identify News Outlets

Before you begin to build relationships with the media, identify news outlets that target your agency’s key audience.

For example, if you’re a law enforcement agency, you would want to target hard-news media organizations, community newsgroups, and law enforcement trade magazines instead of entertainment news outlets and lifestyle magazines. Why? Because that would be a waste of time as those news organizations don’t normally or frequently publish law enforcement, public safety, or crime-related news content.

Be intentional with the news organizations, journalists, and reporters you connect with. If you’ve worked in your community for any amount of time, you’ll know who the outlets and journalists are that usually cover the news in your area.

Tip #2 – Introduce Yourself

When a person can put a name to a face, it enhances the human connection. This is why it’s essential to introduce yourself to news directors, editors, reporters, and journalists – because the more they know you, the more likely they will begin to pick up on your press releases and news tips.

Nowadays, you don’t even have to introduce yourself physically; you can start by reaching out and engaging with them via social media.

But, if you have an opportunity to introduce yourself in person, say you’re both at an event or whatnot, take the time to go up to them and introduce yourself in person; it’ll pay off in media coverage.

feedback

Stay Guarded

It’s sad we have to say this but stay guarded when forming relationships with people who report the news. Anyone today can start a Facebook group and call it a news outlet, and claim themself as a member of the media. They may not have any formal training or education and will push the boundaries of professionalism and courtesy. We’ve had personal experience with these types of people who will try to “buddy” up to you only to try to write a “gotcha” post.

Tip #3 – Respect Their Deadlines and Keep Your Word

Always ask about the news organization’s daily, weekly or monthly deadline to respectfully remain aware of their time and ensure that you have all materials for them (photos, videos, statements, etc.) well before that date and time.

Continuously turning items in late, rescheduling interviews, and not responding promptly will undoubtedly frustrate the reporter or journalist and make them steer clear of you in terms of allowing you to tell your agency’s side of the story.

So be sure to identify their deadlines early on and create an excellent first, second and infinite impression to keep the relationship strong.

The last part of this tip is a reminder always to keep your word. If you tell a journalist, you’ll call them back in 20 minutes, then call them back. Over time, they’ll know that you mean what you say, giving you some working time to put something together for them if you’re dealing with a critical or evolving situation.

Tip #4 – Give Them A News Package

You will become a news organization’s best friend if you start giving them entire news packages. However, this can be somewhat of a challenge if you are a “one-person operation” or involved in an evolving situation or incident. However, for those times when you have some time, consider putting together a package of information for the media.

access_time

Time Saver Tip!

Upload your news release, photos, videos, and sound bites to a Dropbox folder, and share the link with the media. You can even post it in a blog post on your website or push it out on social media to make it easy for the media to get.

With newsrooms being so bare-bones these days, journalists and reporters are genuinely appreciative when you provide them with as much information as possible. Trust us; it’ll set you apart from the other hundred news releases they receive each week.

Giving them a news release, along with appropriate contacts, photos, a video, sound bites, graphics, and links, will be helpful to them as you give them a complete visual story so that they don’t need to start from ground zero.

Building relationships with the media will take time, just like any relationship. Still, when you begin to have the opportunity to get ahead of false narratives that are often spread across social media, critical incidents, and bad press, it’ll be worth it.

About The Author

  • TOC Public Relations

    TOC Public Relations is a leading public safety digital media company specializing in public relations, social media, photo and videography services, and website development. Located in Southern California, their services are available nationwide.

Share This