Below are just a few of the rave reviews over past “Meet The Media” events by Rebecca Antonelli

Media Testimonials (unsolicited)

“The media and the public want news. We want to meet you, learn about the products and services your company produces, and what new innovations you’re working on. Information is the essence of news and you are the essence of information.”
- David Crabtree, Anchor WRAL News

“Thanks for the tip. I like the story a lot, and in fact I just set it up to shoot next Thursday, to air Friday. Thanks. I really have gotten a lot of stories from the “Meet the Media”. I think I’m up to five – just from the last meeting.”
- Jennifer Baron, Reporter

“With all due respect, I wonder why you did not approach our station to participate in your Meet the Media forum. We are certainly a most active broadcast outlet for local business news…”
AND WE INVITED HIM –
His Reply: “Thanks for asking! We would be more than willing and honored to help you in any way we can. Just let me know what I can do to help!”
- Lowell Briggs, Reporter

“Rebecca: Definitely count me in for the Meet the Media event. I am constantly meeting with people who need editorial in the inflight magazine. I think it would be good for me to listen to the local pitches.”
- Melanie, Inflight Magazine

“Rebecca: Thanks very much for doing this. I am honored that you are interested in having me for your event. I also appreciate your guidance on what your audience wants to hear. I want to make it exactly what you want it to be!! Let me know.”
- Dave Mildenberg, editor, The Business Journal

“REBECCA: Woman, you are too much! What a pleasure. You can really energize a room. I’m so glad our paths crossed. It was my pleasure to participate in the seminar. I picked up a great story idea for my For The Children segment. Let’s continue to talk! Again, thank you.”
- Pam Saulsby, News Anchor/Reporter WRAL

Attendee Testimonials (unsolicited):

“Can you say “Thank You” too much? I don’t think so. Thanks for your help again. Yesterday, WTVD replayed the Big Shelf tape from last year. We already have a job from it. The story also got picked up by the Durham paper, which called to interview me. You are making a difference in people’s lives. That’s why we’re here.”
- Dickey Eason. Big Shelf

“Thanks for hosting this event. From this attendee’s perspective, it was a tremendous seminar. One reporter responded very well to our product, the InternetPBX. When told that the IPBX will read e-mail over the phone he said, “I like it! Find me someone who is using it locally and we’ll put them on the 6:00 news.”

“Just thought I would let you know that we were interviewed yesterday by CBS. The child support calculators were the top story on the 5:00 news yesterday. They have provided a link from their links page to our website. The hits on our site yesterday were almost twice as high as our highest day in recent history and the unique visitors were almost twice as high as well.”
- Lee Rosen, Attorney

“WOW…I knew you were wonderful…but, really, I had no idea of the response potential. Not only did we get “air-time” on TV, but also, through people e-mailing the story to friends and relatives, we had two out-of-town calls for business. Thank you for your expertise… KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!”

“I have two TV tapings scheduled, which are direct results of the one and only Meet The Media that I attended. And as of today, I just got a call from a local radio station who will be meeting me at my studio to learn more about my business and to do a brief interview – another win!

“CBS’s news crew stopped by our office today to interview me about Surfcontrol for a February special report on the 10 O’clock news! I know they are also covering HCT tonight on the 6 o’clock news. This is a direct response to meeting the reporter at the “Meet the Media” event sponsored by you.”
- Debra Jones, PR Specialist

“Thanks to Meet The Media, I have been picked up by the The Business Journal. They are featuring my business in next week’s edition. Yippee!! Thank you for sponsoring such a great event.”
- Sam Johnson, ImageNet

Rebecca Antonelli, founder
Rebecca@MeetTheNewMedia.com
919.740.3008

The Top Ten Ways to Get Into The Media’s Good Graces

1.   Understand that the media owe you nothing. It is not their job to sell your book, draw a large audience for your speaking engagement, get you a consulting contract, or help you sell your company’s new product. It’s their job to publish newspapers and magazines that will entice people to subscribe, and encourage advertisers to spend money on ads. Radio and TV stations need to book compelling, controversial shows that draw listeners and boost ratings.

2.    Be accessible. If a reporter calls you, return the call within 15 minutes, if possible, even if you don’t know what the call is about. Wait a day or two to return a phone call and you might miss your chance to be in their story or on their show. Be sure reporters have your office, home and cell phone numbers and invite them to call you 24 hours a day, not just from 9 to 5.

3.    Make it easy for them to do their jobs. That means offering background material that might help, such as a print or electronic media kit. It means scheduling interviews during times that are most convenient for them, not for you. It also means asking every media person you meet, “How can I help you?”

4.    Keep all promises. If you promise an editor you will submit an opinion column by a certain date and that it will be the 500 words he has requested, keep your promise.

5.    Stay in touch regularly without being a pest. It’s OK to call or email media people once every few months. Any more than that-unless you have something really valuable to offer-and you might be branded as a pest

6.    Understand that no means no. If they aren’t interested in your idea, don’t try to change their minds.

7.    After an interview, don’t ask a reporter if you can read the story before it’s printed. The answer will be no-at least from most reputable publications. It’s perfectly acceptable, however, to ask the reporter to read your quotes back to you. Most reporters will agree to do this.

8.    Don’t agree to be interviewed, and then cancel because you changed your mind. The reporter will never call you again.

9.    Suggest follow-up stories to reporters who cover you. The media love to tell readers “the rest of the story.” If, for example, a newspaper reporter writes about your new book, and the book later is featured on “Oprah,” be sure to let the reporter know.

10.    Don’t give the print media gifts, either to entice them to write about you or to thank them for coverage. Many media outlets have ethics policies prohibiting reporters from accepting items of value. Even those that don’t are clamping down on freebies. Holiday greeting cards are fine, however. And thank-you notes after you have received coverage are much appreciated. Food is fine, however, when working with the broadcast media.

If you haven’t already, be sure to

(space is limited!) for “Meet The New Media” June 18, 2009 10am – 12noon at the Sheraton Imperial RTP, NC

Rebecca Antonelli, founder
Rebecca@MeetTheNewMedia.com
919.740.3008

Sougata Mukherjee
- Executive Editor, Triangle Business Journal

Donald Jones
- NBC-17 Anchor and social networking guru

Kitty Kinnin
- “Mornings” and “The Sunday Brunch” with Kitty Kinnin, The River, 100.7 and blogger

Ria Scureman
- RiaVon Enterprises, online marketer

Chuck Hester
- Linked In expert and iContact Communications Director

Allan Maurer
– Editor, TechJournalSouth.com

If you haven’t already, be sure to

(space is limited!) for “Meet The New Media” June 18, 2009 10am – 12noon at the Sheraton Imperial RTP, NC

Rebecca Antonelli, founder
Rebecca@MeetTheNewMedia.com
919.740.3008