Keep Your Bragging in Check

Here at Pitch Public Relations, nothing pleases us more than to have a pitch result in a media hit for a client. The end product is publicity that we are able to deliver in the form of an interview link or a copy of a publication that can be used for a variety of marketing purposes, but often it is first and foremost proudly posted on the media/press page of their website. As it has been discussed time and time again, the value that this kind of positive editorial coverage can provide is one of the strongest marketing tools any business can utilize to showcase and sell their product or service to consumers.

However there is a time and place where restraint should be used when showing off the publicity goods. Typically it’s not in the early stage of acquiring coverage but as the press portfolio grows there are times where media interest can waiver or disappear once a journalist sees the amount of coverage already garnered. If trying to get the scoop or at least be one of the first to report on what you have to offer, seeing a long list of media accolades can result in that journalist putting on the brakes and moving on to a different story.

Another problem that can arise is a media outlet discovering they’ve already featured your product or service before. We experienced this first hand with a client who had posted a write-up in the New York Times on their website. Fast forward a couple years later and we had generated new interest from this publication. It was a fresh and different take on the product for another section of the newspaper but once the connection was realized, the opportunity was not able to be realized.

Are we saying you should stop bragging on your website about the media coverage you acquire? Heck no! The moral of this blog is to review this section of your website on a regular basis. Keep in mind that potential customers aren’t the only ones checking it out. Members of the media who you may have reached out to may be reviewing your past coverage as well.
When actively pursuing new media opportunities, do some housecleaning to make sure your press page highlights a diverse range of stories but it may be time to remove some older media hits to make sure they don’t get in the way of new and more relevant ones from being added to your media wall of fame.

Marybeth Grass
Media Coordinator