Developing media worthy hospital news
Developing media-worthy hospital news requires a strategic approach that focuses on newsworthy topics and effective storytelling. Here are some steps to help you create compelling hospital news:
Identify Newsworthy Topics:
- Highlight medical breakthroughs: Share information about any groundbreaking research, innovative treatments, or medical advancements happening at your hospital.
- Human interest stories: Personal stories of patients who have overcome significant medical challenges or stories about hospital staff going above and beyond can be very appealing.
- Community involvement: Showcase your hospital’s involvement in community events, health fairs, or charity initiatives.
- Awards and recognitions: Share any awards, accreditations, or recognitions your hospital has received.
- Announcements and milestones: Report on significant developments, such as the opening of new departments, the introduction of new technology, or the celebration of anniversaries.
Craft a Compelling Story:
- Use storytelling techniques to make your news relatable and engaging. Share patient testimonials or staff anecdotes to humanize the story.
- Emphasize the impact: Explain how the news will benefit patients, the community, or the medical field as a whole.
- Keep it concise: Journalists appreciate concise and easy-to-understand information. Avoid jargon and technical terms when possible.
Gather Data and Supporting Material:
- Collect relevant data, statistics, and visuals to support your story. This can include before-and-after images, patient outcome statistics, or infographics.
- Provide expert quotes: Include comments from medical professionals or hospital leadership to add credibility to the story.
Create a Media Kit:
- Prepare a media kit that includes press releases, high-resolution images, videos, and any relevant documents (e.g., research papers or brochures).
- Include contact information for your hospital’s media relations team.
Target the Right Media Outlets:
- Identify the media outlets that are most likely to be interested in your news. This could include local newspapers, TV stations, healthcare trade publications, and online news platforms.
- Tailor your pitch to each outlet, highlighting the aspects of your story that align with their audience’s interests.
Craft a Catchy Headline and Lead:
- Write an attention-grabbing headline that conveys the essence of your story.
- Follow it up with a concise, compelling lead paragraph that summarizes the most important information.
Press Release Distribution:
- Distribute your press release to the targeted media outlets through email or press release distribution services. Ensure it reaches the right journalists or editors.
Media Relations:
- Be prepared to respond promptly to inquiries from journalists. Provide additional information, arrange interviews, and facilitate access to key personnel.
Follow-Up:
- After the news has been published or aired, follow up with the media outlets to express gratitude and offer additional information or interviews if needed.
Measure and Share Results:
- Track the reach and impact of your news using metrics like website visits, social media engagement, and media coverage. Share this information with hospital leadership.
Remember that consistency in sharing newsworthy stories can help build a positive image of your hospital over time. Additionally, cultivating good relationships with journalists and staying up-to-date with industry trends will enhance your hospital’s media presence.