Media Networking Best Practices

2000: Send press release → Land Forbes feature. 2025: Send press release → Journalist skims it → Then checks your LinkedIn → Skims your company blog → Listens to your podcast clip → Scans Twitter mentions → Reads competitor coverage → Scrolls 3–6 months back on your feed → Then replies. Most climate founders still think their tech will sell itself. They write a pitch email, cross their fingers, and get ignored. But it's not 2000 anymore. Journalists aren't waiting in their inbox. And the only founders they write about? The ones who already look like the obvious voice in the space. So if you want media exposure, don't start with PR. Start with consistent content that makes you impossible to ignore. Here's how: Tip 1: Pick one platform and own it completely. For climate founders, that's LinkedIn. Post 2–3 times per week with a mix of founder lessons, industry takes, and behind-the-scenes updates. Journalists check LinkedIn first. Make sure there's substance when they do. Tip 2: Publish one 800-word thought leadership article per month. Post it on LinkedIn, your company blog, or send it as a personal newsletter. Doesn't matter where. What matters is depth. These longer pieces show journalists you can think beyond hot takes. They give reporters substance to quote and link to. And they position you as someone with real expertise, not just engagement tactics. Tip 3: Document your founder journey publicly (the messy parts included) Share the decisions you're making in real time. The regulatory hurdles. The failed pilots. The customer conversations that changed your roadmap. Journalists love founders who are transparent, not polished. Vulnerability builds trust faster than any press kit. Tip 4: Connect with hundreds of journalists and PR folks proactively, months before you need them. 100s of journalists cover climate, tech, and startups. Start building relationships now, not when you're ready to pitch. Comment on their work. Share their articles with your take. Send a DM when they publish something that resonates. Tip 5: Make it stupid-easy for them to cover you. When a journalist does check you out, they should find: • Data points they can cite • Clear founder bios with credentials • High-res photos ready to download • A media kit or one-pager on your site • Quotable soundbites in your recent posts Remove every excuse for them to pass on your story. — The reality? PR doesn't work anymore if you're starting from zero visibility. But if you've been showing up consistently, journalists will come looking for you. That's when the press release actually works. — Founders, what's one story in your industry you wish a journalist would cover right now?

I was a business reporter before moving to PR. 10 things I’d tell anyone in media relations. (Save this before your next pitch call) I remember being on the other side of PR pitch emails. Deleting some in seconds. Saving others to use later when writing stories. I made this for anyone just starting out. To help you create more value for your clients. 01 Find the story Remember, if there's a story, it will sell. No amount of follow-up calls help if you don't have a story. 02 Know the journalist Meet journalists when you don't have an immediate need. Get to know their workstyle, best ways to reach out, kind of news that interests them. Build trust. 03 Personalise follow-ups After sending a press release, ensure your follow-up communications are tailored to add value. You won't say the same thing to a business publication and a B2B magazine. 04 Create unique pitches Avoid sending the same pitch to numerous reporters with "exclusive" in the subject line. Invest time in crafting unique and relevant pitches. Know the publication’s audience. 05 Allocate time to update your media list Keep your media list up to date. Clients expect you to be well-versed in the media landscape, and outdated contacts can hinder your efforts. 06 Manage client expectations Do not chase a journalist just because your client insists. If a story can't fit a certain publication, be polite but firm in your pushback. But be super cautious because if the work can be done, it will be done. If you don't do it, someone else will. 07 Read more, find trends Read newspapers daily to stay informed about industry trends where your client can fit in. 08 Invest in training, self-learning PR agencies and schools should train professionals on how newsrooms work before they make their first media call. Understanding the news cycle is important. PR professionals should also invest in self-learning, especially in content and the use of AI. 09 Use social media to stay up-to-date Check LinkedIn and other social media platforms to verify if the journalist is still with the same publication and covers the relevant industry before making contact. Avoid making calls that resemble those vague credit card sales pitches. 10 Be patient Be patient when contacting journalists or PR colleagues. Wait before reaching out to others if they don't answer, and refrain from immediately complaining about unavailability to the corporate communications team. Bonus tip: Think of Gmail as a search engine. Your subject line should help you show up when a journalist searches the topic even weeks after you sent the mail. Those are the 10 really basic things I keep coming back to.  Hope you find them useful. ✨ PS: By the way, where do you get your news these days?

Legendary self help author Dale Carnegie would have also been a great PR firm leader. His lessons on human behavior remain relevant to all aspects of PR, media, and advocacy. Here’s my top 10 lessons applied to our work: 1️⃣ Don’t default to criticize, condemn, or complain—argue strategically. Attacking for the sake of attacking is a waste of time. Even in the worst disagreements, focus on credibility, trust, and alliances. The best reputation strategy isn’t about tearing others down, it’s about making your message the most compelling to the most people. 2️⃣ Appreciation is free PR. People remember who gives them credit. The best executives, policymakers, and communicators understand that sincere appreciation builds relationships that pay off long-term. 3️⃣ Make people want to listen. Nobody cares about your agenda unless it aligns with theirs. Whether pitching the media or persuading policymakers, understand what they need first—then craft your message accordingly. 4️⃣ Relationships usually drive influence. Your network is your power. Carnegie knew it, and the best PR pros and policymakers live by it. The more goodwill you bank, the more leverage you have when it matters. 5️⃣ Be approachable—seriously. A smile (or its digital equivalent) is a game changer. The best leaders make people want to engage with them. That’s how you win advocates, not just followers. 6️⃣ Names still really matter. If you’re dealing with the media, lawmakers, or industry leaders, remember their names. People notice, and it builds instant rapport. 7️⃣ Shut up and listen. The best PR and advocacy wins don’t typically come from shouting the loudest. They come from listening, understanding, and then delivering the right message at the right time to the right audience using the right medium. 8️⃣ Frame everything in terms of your audience. Whether you’re influencing a journalist, a policymaker, or the public, make the conversation about them, not you. It’s how you make an argument stick. 9️⃣ Make people feel important genuinely. In media, politics, and business, perception is reality. Treat people like they matter, and they’ll return the favor when it counts. 🔟 The best way to win a fight? Avoid it strategically. Some battles need to be fought. Many don’t. The goal isn’t to “win” a media war or policy debate at any cost (aka “burn it all down”), it’s to build long-term credibility, influence, and trust. Carnegie understood people. And in PR, media, and advocacy, understanding people and what motivates is still everything. Any other lessons you’d add here on 🐪 Day?

Ever wonder how to go from liking a journalist's post to landing a story in their inbox? It's not as daunting as it seems. The bridge from social media to email is real, and you can cross it without setting it on fire. Let’s dive into how to build that bridge effectively! 1️⃣ Engage Like a Human First and foremost, don't be creepy. Journalists are people too. Comment on their posts with genuine thoughts. Share their articles adding your personal insights. Show interest in their work, not just their potential to boost yours. 2️⃣ Show Your Value Become a resource, not a nuisance. If they’re discussing industry trends or challenges, add your two cents where relevant. Your expertise should shine through naturally. This builds trust and increases your chances of a welcomed pitch later. 3️⃣ Respect the Boundary Once rapport is established, mention that you have a story idea. But be clear: their social media isn't the place for your pitch. Here's a friendly script: I have a story idea I think you'd love—it aligns with [their beat]. I'd rather not pitch here since I know this space is for fun. Is there an email you prefer for pitches? No rush, totally understand if not right now! 4️⃣ Pitch Perfectly If they share their email, that's your cue. Craft a pitch that's tailored and references their recent work. Show them you know their beat. Keep it concise and relevant. 5️⃣ Maintain the Relationship Whether they take your pitch or not, keep engaging. Relationships are investments. They’re not just onetime transactions. Journalists appreciate thoughtfulness and professionalism. Respecting their space shows you’re a reliable source. Want help crafting your first email pitch after getting that green light? Let’s connect—drop me a message! The key to success in PR is not just making connections but maintaining them. And it all starts with that first thoughtful interaction. #media #mediatraining #publicity

A major element for building a brand's reputation is fostering a strong relationship between the company, the agency, and the media. To build these strong connections, it’s important to: - Facilitate media access to the company’s leadership. - Ensure dedicated spokespeople are ready to respond promptly to media inquiries. Streamline the process for drafting and approving quotes to help journalists meet tight deadlines—a win-win situation for everyone. - Whenever possible, arrange in-person meetings with journalists and media representatives to establish stronger connections. - Share exclusive news, interviews, and relevant insights with media outlets. Media outlets appreciate feeling special and receiving announcements tailored to their audiences. - Keep in mind that the media isn't interested in hearing your sales pitch. They want to know about your industry insights and how you, as a thought leader, can comment on key news events. The media serves as the gateway to building a brand's reputation, so keeping the gatekeepers happy and engaged is crucial.   #communication #publicrelations #media #news #brandreputation

“Networking is awkward.” You know what’s more awkward? Graduating in May 2025 and applying to 127 jobs with… zero callbacks. Let’s fix that with networking ideas no one’s talking about. and I mean actionable.. 1. “Reverse Research” Your Way Into a Conversation Instead of asking people what they do, show them what you know about what they’ve done. How to do it: Find someone on LinkedIn in your target company/role Read their posts, podcasts, or panels they’ve been on Then send this message: “Hi [Name], I came across your [talk/article/post] on [topic]—your point about [insight] made me think differently. I’m researching [industry], and would love to hear your take on [specific follow-up]. Would it be okay to connect?” That’s conversation built on respect. 2. Book Club for Industry Geeks Start a virtual book or podcast club for your industry. Invite professionals to speak at the end of each cycle. How to do it: Pick 3 peers + 1 book or podcast Create a simple calendar (4 weeks = 4 touchpoints) End with a “Wrap-Up” Zoom chat—invite a guest Post your takeaways on LinkedIn and tag them Because learning together? Is the strongest way to network. 3. Write A “Public Thank You” Post on LinkedIn You probably learned something cool from someone recently. Now imagine you posted it publicly, gave them a shoutout, and showed how you applied it. How to do it: Tag the person Share what they taught you Share what you did next Ask your network, “What’s something YOU learned from someone this month?” You just gave free visibility, created a loop, and 10 people will want to talk to you after. 4. Turn Informational Chats into Co-Creation Networking chats often stop at “thanks for the time.” What if it didn’t? What to do: After the call, send a note: “Hey [Name], based on our chat about [topic], I drafted a small idea to build on your advice. Would love your thoughts!” Create a graphic, short write-up, or project plan (just 1 page!) Now you’re not just a student. You’re someone they collaborated with. That’s relationship-building, not just networking. 5. The 5-5-5 Strategy Most people get stuck on who to reach out to. Here’s a weekly formula: 5 People You Admire (Founders, creatives) 5 People From Your School Network (Alums, professors, guest speakers) 5 Peers Who Are Also Job Hunting (Build a support circle, swap leads) Message all 15. Repeat weekly. That’s 156 conversations in 3 months. You don’t “find” jobs—you build the path to them. Reminder: Networking isn’t about who has the fanciest title. It’s about who remembers you when an opportunity comes up. Be the person who listened, learned, shared, and followed up. If you’re reading this and job searching— try one new method this week. Not next month. Not when it feels “less scary.” Now. You’re not late. #May2025Grads #NetworkingTips #CreativeCareerMoves #JobSearchStrategy #InternationalStudents #GradJobHunt #BeyondTheResume #HumanConnection #Topmate

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐏𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬, 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 Does the thought of networking make you feel like you're just selling yourself? It's time to flip the script. Here’s how to network effectively without feeling 'salesy': 📍Seek Depth, Not Numbers Forget about amassing contacts. Harvard Business Review suggests that meaningful, in-depth conversations are far more beneficial than a vast network. 📍Become a Master Listener Effective networking is less about talking and more about listening. Show genuine interest in others' stories and challenges. This approach not only builds stronger connections but also makes your interactions more engaging. 📍Lead with Value Always offer help before asking for anything. According to LinkedIn, 80% of professionals believe that networking is most effective when both parties gain something from the exchange. 📍Customize Your Connections Skip the generic connection requests. Reference specific details about how you met or a topic you discussed. This personal touch transforms your approach from transactional to meaningful. 📍Make Memorable Follow-ups After meeting someone, follow up with something relevant from your discussion. Whether it's an article related to a topic you spoke about or a simple congratulation on a recent achievement, personalized follow-ups make you stand out. 📍Engage Thoughtfully Online Interact with your connections' content by sharing insights or thoughtful comments. This keeps you visible and valuable, enhancing your network's strength without overt selling. 📍Embrace the Long Game Remember, effective networking builds over time. Stay consistent and patient—American Express reports that 40% of executives credit networking for their success. 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙍𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩: 𝘽𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙪𝙨𝙩, 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝘾𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨. 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙖𝙢𝙥 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜—𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙗𝙪𝙞𝙡𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚, 𝙢𝙪𝙩𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙛𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥𝙨. ---------------------------------- Follow Surya Vajpeyi for more such content💜 #EffectiveNetworking #CareerGrowth #ProfessionalNetworking

If you aren't using LinkedIn for media relations, you're missing an opportunity. And one of the best ways to do this is to be a proactive commenter. Here's what I mean: There’s a lot of emphasis on creating great 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵, but probably not enough on creating great 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴. Commenting should absolutely be part of your PR strategy. It helps with visibility and is a great way to break the ice and “get to know” someone before you pitch them an idea. (Not to mention the fact that you will reach their audience as well.) So think about doing the following: -When a reporter from one of your “wish list” outlets posts one of their stories? ➡️ Leave a thoughtful and insightful comment. -When an influencer posts about a trend that is relevant to your industry? ➡️ Leave a thoughtful and insightful comment. -When a potential partner posts about a recent development in their business? ➡️ Leave a thoughtful and insightful comment. Just remember: helpful, kind and value-filled comments work well. Shameless plugs or AI-generated comments…not so much. My advice: proactively work with your execs or #PR clients on commenting (and posting) best practices. Because in the majority of cases, the reporters you want to reach are on here. ---- Want #PR tips or help with your PR strategy? Hit the 🔔 or connect with me 👆 #publicrelations #PR #mediarelations #thoughtleadership