We all know Twitter can be used to get the latest news and share knowledge. But have you ever considered how it can help you connect with the media?
Whether you’re a public relations professional or a business communicator, Twitter can help you build relationships with key journalists, all in 140 characters or less. As newsrooms continue shrinking, many reporters are turning to Twitter to help them quickly identify expert sources and develop story ideas.
Here are a few tips for making the most of your Twitter presence when it comes to establishing a rapport with key journalists:
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Engage in conversation – We all know that Twitter is best used as a storytelling and sharing tool. Pay attention to what relevant reporters are talking about and join in on the conversation. Whether it’s commenting on a recent article or answering a question related to your particular industry, corresponding with journalists on Twitter is an effective way to make a good first impression. And remember, you can’t just engage with them one time – to build a relationship, you have to be patient and connect with them on an ongoing basis.
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Position yourself as an expert source – In addition to participating in other users’ conversations, start a discussion of your own. Post and comment on significant news stories affecting your industry. This will help build your credibility and enhance your thought leadership.
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Post story ideas – Have you ever considered breaking important company news via Twitter? Keep it brief, tag relevant reporters and use hashtags to get your news noticed. A simple, strategized tweet can sometimes grab the attention of a busy journalist when a long-winded email or phone call can’t.
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Retweet your stories – If a reporter cites you as a source and posts the resulting piece on Twitter, retweet the story to your followers to spread the news and show the journalist that you’re paying attention to their coverage. Think of it as another way of posting positive news to your website’s “In the News” page.
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Play nice – Always remember to keep the conversation relevant and genuine when engaging with reporters on Twitter. Don’t bombard them with replies or direct messages and keep your comments intelligent and helpful.
Need an easy way to manage the reporters you follow on Twitter? Consider using
Twitter lists to keep them organized according to topic or industry. Setting up a third-party platform like
TweetDeck or
HootSuite can also make it easy to categorize and follow tweets.
What’s your favorite way to connect with journalists on Twitter? Share a recent success story or your most important tips in the comments below.