Want to help your client get local press? Want to have your professional work and projects recognized locally? Here are some questions to ask. Anyone one of these criteria may qualify for local media interest.
1. NEW. If your event/group is a returning event, what is new this year? (If it is a new event/group, that is newsworthy).
2. VISUAL APPEAL. Do you have a high-res photo of something unique about your event/group that can be sent to the media?
3. DIFFERENT. Is there anything unusual about your event/group (quirky, funny, curious, thought-provoking, trend-setting)?
4. BROAD-BASED APPEAL. Does your event/group appeal to a small/niche market or is there universal appeal?
5. EMPLOYEE/CELEBRITY SPOTLIGHT. Is there a particular person for your event/group that should be highlighted for being extraordinary?
After having these discussions with your client, send a photo with your “pitch” to the Communications Unit (it can be just a few sentences) to stories@visitvirginiabeach.com. We will review your news, and if it meets the criteria we will distribute in one or all of the following ways:
-Employee blog
-Industry newsfeed article on VVB.com
-Industry Social Media Channels (Facebook, Twitter)
-Direct pitch to local reporter
-Press release to local media list
Additionally, if your team is doing something great, tell us. This can be securing new business, getting a certificate, photos from a cool trip, awards, on the road photos, random facts about your life you want to share with staff… email stories@visitvirginiabeach.com. Include a photo!