Tips for Talking to the Media about Collaborative Practice
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August 2011 |
A key strategy for increasing awareness about collaborative practice is media relations. Clients listen to and are influenced by what they read in the newspapers and internet, see on the television or hear on the radio. A notable story about Collaborative Practice in a reputable publication can significantly increase the visibility and credibility of collaborative practice in your community.
At the same time, a negative story can raise concerns and have the opposite effect. How do you attract the media to notice Collaborative Practice in your community and assure your strategy results in a positive story?
You have two opportunities to attract the press. One is through initiating the story though a press release that you create or pitching a specific story concept to a reporter. The second is responding to a call from a reporter for a comment.
The following tips will assist you in talking to the media for both opportunities.
- Speak to the interests of your audience. Focus on what your audience wants to hear verses what you want to say. Avoid talking about the features of Collaborative Practice. You will increase your opportunity for success if your story is on the benefits (verses the features) of Collaborative Practice, is newsworthy and has a hook.
- Provide a real life example of how Collaborative Practice works. Reporters are not interested in what you say Collaborative Practice can do, they want to know, “how has it helped people?” What is working?
- Know the media source- Research the reporter’s web site, publication or radio station. Who is the audience for the publication? What is important to this audience? Pay attention to the tone and view point of the media source. Is the view point consistent with your message?
- Research the reporter- What is the reporter’s style of writing? A simple Google search will provide relevant information on the type of stories they have written before. Be careful when talking to a “gotcha” reporter. This type of reporter may be looking for a story that conveys a completely different message than you intended.
- Ask about the reporter’s deadline and agenda. Clarify the reporter’s deadline and the focus for the interview. Call the reporter back before the deadline and take a few moments to organize your thoughts and write down talking points. Try to avoid “spur of the moment” interviews without advanced preparation. Remember everything you say can be quoted.
- Avoid legal or Collaborative Practice jargon. Try to stay away from too many academic terms and industry jargon, i.e. interests based negotiation, four way meetings, containers, paradigm shift, etc. Journalists like to hear human interest stories that tell a story verses an institutionalized description about process.
- Control the interview. Make a list of the points you want to make. Try not to have more than three key talking points. Find every opportunity to deliver your key messages. Think in headlines and respond in quotes. Don’t just answer the reporter’s questions
Collaborative Practice is an exciting story that is benefitting families across the globe. Take the first step by telling your story through online press releases, calling your local media or writing articles for local and national publications.
A glance at Google alerts for Collaborative Practice demonstrates the collaborative community world-wide has been successful in increasing stories about Collaborative Practice in the media. By being media savvy you can maximize the opportunity to increase awareness of Collaborative Practice and position yourself as a leader in the industry.
Biography
Elizabeth Ferris has served organizations as a marketing consultant for more than 20 years. She started Ferris Consulting in April, 2000. The company was created to help organizations and individuals achieve accelerated growth.
Liz specializes in assisting attorneys, mental health professionals and financial specialists to grow their practice through result-oriented marketing and practice development strategies. She has developed strategic marketing plans for collaborative practice groups, financial groups and law firms across North America including, Texas, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, Ontario, Southern Arizona, Minnesota, New York, Colorado Springs, Atlanta and the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Liz and her team of marketing specialists created the first international collaborative practice logo, tagline, brochure and direct mail campaign. This campaign resulted in printing over 350,000 brochures and direct mail pieces promoting collaborative practice throughout North America.
Liz previously held senior management positions in business development. At IRG, a wholly owned subsidiary or Cobalt corporation (Blue Cross Blue Shield United of Wisconsin), Liz was vice president of business development and responsible for increasing revenues from $6 million to $40 million over a seven year period.
Liz is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is on the board of directors of the Grand Avenue Club, an organization that helps people with mental illness lead productive lives.
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