How To Create A Media List

image:ehow.com
culled from:ceoonline.com

Do you want to generate publicity for your business with a media release? Then you'll first need to create a media list. Use the steps in this article to create your media list so that you can start contacting the right journalists, gain coverage in the most appropriate media, that will reach your target audience.
A media list documents the key media contacts in your industry that would be interested in your media release. These contacts can include journalists, producers, bloggers, freelancers and editors.
A media list allows you to create a targeted approach to the distribution of your information. By targeting the right journalists you can gain coverage in the publications that your target audience views. This means that the right audience will see your media release at the right time.
Here are some steps to creating a media list:
1.    Find your audience

The purpose of a media list is to gain coverage in publications that your target audience uses or views. This means that you need to write a list of all the publications, blogs and TV programs that appeal to your target audience.
2.    Identify contacts

Once you have a list of publications you now need to identify the appropriate contact person to send your information to. Usually the most appropriate contact is the reporter or editor who covers the topic in your media release. You can find their email address or phone number on their publication's website or call the publication directly. Try to avoid sending your media release to the email address for general enquires or "editor@" because it usually will not reach the right contact person in that publication.
3.    Create a database

Organise your media list into a database such as an Excel document, with separate columns for the name of the publication, the contact person, their job title, email address and phone number.
4.    Categorise your list

You should categorise your list into different sections for each media outlet. For example you could create a section for all your newspaper contacts and another section for all your magazine contacts.
5.    Update your list regularly

Media professionals often change their career or areas of expertise, which means you should constantly update your media list. Remember to update your list if your contact person changes or if you find new contacts.
If creating your own media list sounds too hard then you can get help from an online media guide. These sites provide an online database of contact information for media professionals.