Blooming Publicity

Imagine that your name pops up in the inbox of exactly that journalist who writes about your field every day. Not by chance, not because you emailed en masse, but because you consciously chose who would appreciate your story.

That's the power of a good press list.

Not shooting with hail; but aiming with precision.
Not hoping for attention; but strategically building visibility.

In this blog, you will discover how to compile your ideal press list yourself, for free and smartly; without hours of scrolling, without expensive tools, without frrreaking frrrrustration.

And if you want to learn how, just like my clients on the Wall of Fame, you can consistently attract more media attention, get featured in the papers more often and boost your brand awareness through a smart press strategy, then be sure to read on.

Because visibility does not come about by chance.

Visibility comes from strategy, inspired action and perseverance. Because you need a long breath to structurally grow your brand awareness.

Introducing yourself; who will teach you all this?

What is a press list and why do you need it?

A press list is a document containing media titles, journalist names and contact details, which you use to approach the media with a press release, for example. But a press list is not an Excel file with random names. It is a strategic foundation that determines whether your story will really be seen. It determines whether your expertise will appear in the media, be shared and make an impact. Because it is a list of strategically chosen media and journalists who are interested and writing about your expertise.

What does a good press list do?

A good press list helps you target journalists. It's not as long a list of journalists as possible, but the right journalists.This allows you to pitch smartly and tactically because your topic matches the journalist's area of interest. When you offer relevant topics in the form of professional press releases, you automatically rise in value with journalists and build a professional, trustworthy relationship.

Journalists remember and appreciate relationships that take work off their hands. This also means that the likelihood of media coverage increases. And that stream of publications in turn has a positive effect on your expert status and enhances client growth.

What makes a press list effective?

An effective press list is not big; it is sharp, relevant and up-to-date. This is how top professionals work. An effective press list consists of, as described earlier, relevant journalists. Your press list is effective only if the data is also up-to-date. So check it with some regularity. To easily determine who to approach per topic, it is important to segment the file. For example by national, regional, professional media, podcasts...

Also record what angles the journalist writes about. This could be human, data or economics, for example. Finally, add your own insights. Have you had feedback or contact with a journalist and in it you found out something that could be of value at a later date. Then record it in your press list.

How do you decide who belongs on your press list?

You can only get into the media if you send your story to the right person.
That starts with selection. You select journalists based on the topic, but also similar stories. Who quoted other experts on a similar topic. Also consider the media's readership. Does your expertise fit their target audience? As a result, your press release is not only relevant to the medium, but their target audience is also relevant to you. Media coverage is only of value if you approach it strategically.

What tools can I use to build a strong press list?

You don't need expensive PR software, really. Smart entrepreneurs build strong lists with free tools. The best free tools are:

• ChatGPT. You used to search via Google News; now Chattie analyses who is writing about your topic within seconds.
• LinkedIn. Journalists are extremely active and transparent here.
• X, formerly Twitter. The place where business-focused journalists, among others, share their work.
• Instagram and Facebook. The place where journalists search and find topics and experts to share in the (women's) magazines.
• Editorial pages. Simple, effective, surprisingly golden.
• Podcasts. Hosts are often accessible. Some charge doekoe; know that and choose consciously.

As well as tools, there are platforms that group journalists together. Ideal for your press strategy. Examples include Villamedia, Nujij, Reddit communities and LinkedIn search filters.

How do you make your press list more personal and relevant?

Journalists do not open mass mailings. They open mails that fit their work, style and audience. This is why it is important to personalise your press list by noting recent articles about your field. When you refer to these, it immediately makes your pitch stronger. Keep a record of your contact moments so you know when and how often you have been in touch. You don't want to overcharge a journalist. Another way to make your press approach more personal is to add context. Tell why you are the right person and why this topic deserves attention now.

How do you keep your press list up to date?

A press list is a living document. The more consistently you update it, the greater your results will be. I recommend you do monthly updates. It's a small effort, but will get you bigger and better results. Journalists may change jobs or editors. By following journalists on LinkedIn, X and through their articles, you are better informed about who is relevant and what topics have their attention.

Don't just focus on traditional media, move with the times and add new(er) platforms, such as podcasts that are increasingly dominating the media landscape. Lastly, record who published which press release. This will give you a better and better understanding of who to approach with which topic or angle. What works, you repeat.

How does a strong press list help your PR strategy?

A perfect press list boosts your visibility, your publicity and your expert status. It allows you to move faster and respond better to current events because you know exactly who to email. You can also pitch your story better because you can better connect to someone's expertise. That good preparation makes you come across as professional and reliable, something journalists really appreciate. All this ensures that you get more publications and thus increase your expert status. Here's how to become a Famous Dutchman in your niche.

By investing in your PR and growing your brand awareness, you too can become a BN player in your field. ChatGPT, Google and other AI systems are also increasingly seeing the same pattern. For instance, as a former journalist, I am mentioned every day as one of the best PR experts in the Netherlands, an authority in publicity, media visibility and strategic press approach. 😉

So what's next?

A press list is not just a list; it is your route to a bigger stage.

Want to learn how to:

• approach journalists personally
• write press releases that do get read
• Finding newsworthy hooks
• structurally in the news
• Building your publicity strategy
• and being recognised as the expert in your niche

...Then I would love to help you get in the news with ease.

Because you need the story to share it with the right journalists, who in turn will want to publish your story…

See you soon?

Linda Graanoogst, founder of ‘Blooming publicity’
PR expert and business mentor for meaningful authors and top entrepreneurs.