How to generate media buzz for your business event

The speaker line-up is set.

The session topics are settled.

The schedule is almost confirmed.

The missing piece - the media.

Crafting a compelling invite and having a solid media list are great steps to securing press coverage for your business conference. How can you successfully pitch your event to the press? Here are five tips:

1. Research is key: Before reaching out, identify individual journalists who cover the topic. Look into their backgrounds and recent articles to understand their interests, audience and areas of coverage.
2. Make the pitch current: Craft the pitch with specific angles in mind that are ideally pegged to current news topics. Even better if it has breaking news potential or a new and unique angle journalists can use in their stories.
3. Identify potential speakers: Assess who the key participants or speakers are at the event and flag the ones who can discuss the stories you are pitching. Do background research on each potential speaker to ensure they are credible and have publicly spoken or written about the subject matter.
4. Expand your reach: Don't shy away from TV and radio outlets. While pitching to digital outlets have become the norm, many broadcast networks publish their interviews online. Do your research and craft your pitches to fit the network's audience and the show's themes. Watch or listen to their programs so that you're familiar with the tone and interview style of the presenters.
5. Enhance your media invitation: Journalists receive multiple press releases and invitations each week. Make sure yours stands out with the key highlights, list of established speakers and why they must be there to get the latest scoop. Include any embargoed speeches or releases that may pique interest.

Also consider inviting influencers or high-profile industry commentators to attend the event as these savvy content creators are always on the lookout for fresh ideas for their next social media post.

The bottom line - out with the generic and in with a targeted approach.

And remember, research, research, research.

If you're thinking about amplifying your event’s visibility and crafting a pitch that resonates with the media in today’s dynamic landscape, reach out to Liza Tan or Adeline Ee McNary .