Targetting The Broadsheets With Your Press Release
Hello there newsletter fans. So, come on, how was summer for you guys? Did you keep up to date with Big Brother or did you give reality television a miss?
Following on from the kind feedback we received about the public relations calendar-planner newsletter of a few months ago, it is clear that you want more information that will allow those of you wanting to do your own public relations and press releases to do so more effectively.
As is the norm for all 10 Yetis newsletters there are no sales plugs for us in this, yep, that is right, entirely propaganda free. All we ask is that you tell anyone who you think may be interested in reading our newsletters to come and sign up.
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Moving swiftly on, this month’s newsletter is another one aimed at giving you some practical information that will help you better target your press releases.
As well as the general news section of a newspaper, most of the nationals have a daily pullout section specific to one area. Knowing what comes out on what day can not only help you identify who and when you need to send your release in to, but also save you a bit of hard earned dosh as it means you don't have to go and buy all the papers.
This month I am going to concentrate on what is known as the broadsheets, i.e. Times, Telegraph, Guardian, Independent and Financial Times. I will look at the tabloid papers and the Daily Mail and Express in next months newsletter.
As I said, the idea is that this newsletter will enable you to target your products or services to the right section of the paper and you can simply go out and get a copy of the pull out to identify the journalists you need to speak to.
For each paper I give a breakdown of the daily pullout, where applicable, and the kinds of businesses that may benefit from sending in their media information.
The Times
Monday’s – The Game (Football related, covering all the weekends Premier League and lower leagues results and games). Very little you can do to get in this unless you have a very niche football or sporting related product.
Tuesday’s – Law (legal related). May be of interest to IT companies who offer legal related software products or those who have, high net worth, legal professionals as their target market.
Wednesday’s – Creme’. Career advice and opportunities section for Personal Assistants and alike. Focuses heavily on the London market. Good for people in the recruitment industry to target.
Thursday’s – Screen. Film reviews... you don’t need me to explain this one. Made a film? Want it reviewed? This is your best bet.
Friday’s – Bricks and Mortar. All about the world of property. Often mistaken for a dedicated personal finance section, this is not the case. If you are in the financial services industry and have a niche mortgage product you may get in here but it is more about the higher end properties. Could be a good one to target if you have an uber-stylish house or home product.
Daily Telegraph
The Torygraph, as it is known, does not have a different section every day. It has its own dedicated business section pull out Mon to Sat and the rest are as follows.
Wednesday’s – Style. As you would expect, this is an upmarket look at the latest items from fashion through to house and home products and gadgets.
Thursday’s – Jobs. A few features here but generally it is the place where the great and good of British industry go to when they are looking for a new challenge having now spent sufficiently "more time with their family" as they said they wanted to when they left their last high profile role.
Independent
Monday’s – Media. I should read this but I love the Guardian’s media section and it is on the same day. A good place to target for all things media related.
Tuesday’s – Motoring. Can you guess what this is about? Not just cars though, it also covers handy gadgets for motorists.
Wednesday’s – Property. If you target The Times Bricks and Mortar section then this is for you as well.
Thursday’s – Education and Career. Packed with good careers and recruitment features this can be a good place to start if you target either of these sectors and have a good angle.
Friday’s – Art & Review. An in-depth look at all the various art forms out there from performance right through to Banksy and his graffiti art. Also covers film and music reviews.
The Guardian
As you would expect, I try to read as many papers as possible, but if I had to choose just one this is my personal favorite. It has its moments in terms of crusading for the green pound and being a big softy at heart, but it makes me smile and that is all the matters.
Monday’s – Media. A comprehensive review of the media week. Insightful, humorous and packed with good features.
Tuesday’s – Education. Aimed at teachers and those interested in schooling. Packed with features and probably the closest rival to the popular Times education supplement.
Wednesday’s – Society. Got to be honest, never read this but it is hugely popular with life coaches and social workers ha ha ha ha ha.
Thursday’s – Technology. I love this section! If you have a new gadget, mobile phone or computer game, or maybe a burning technical issue, or even a burning technical gripe... this is the section to get in touch with. Wonderful reading.
Friday’s – Film & Music. Go on, guess!
OTHER
The Guardian has a monthly or sometimes bi-monthly SME section. I don’t see it that often but when I do see it I find it a really good read. Worth keeping an eye out if you are a SME owner-manager.Financial Times
Not really known for being anything other than THE paper to read if you work in the City or in Financial Services. Pull outs are not common but when they do them, they are really insightful. As you will see, the FT only has one section.
Monday’s – Fund Management Review. If you are offering some form of products or service in this market you probably should not be reading this as you can afford a dedicated PR squad internally!
There we have it, the first installment covering the broadsheets and quality dailies. I hope this helps you when it comes to targeting the right sections and trying to get coverage in front of a really focused market.
As a side issue, we are thinking about holding a half day PR workshop, either in London or Birmingham. The idea would be that everyone who attends can come away with a press release that they can use and ideas for further public relations campaigns. What do you think? Would you attend?
Don’t forget, if you ever need help and advice on public relations campaigns or how to write press releases we cover things like this in previous newsletters. Oh yeah, and we are always about for a chat.
Cheers for reading newsletter fans and I look forward to writing to you again next month.
Andy