We Earn Media

In this episode, journalist and content strategist Matt Swenson shares insights from his 20 years in the industry, including how PR professionals in the sports world—and local tourism—can adopt a newsroom mindset. We explore the importance of timeliness, authentic storytelling, and relationship-building, using a standout campaign from Hattiesburg, Mississippi, as a case study. Whether you're working in sports, tourism, or PR in general, this conversation is packed with actionable advice you won't want to miss.

In this episode of Digital PR Explained, Dan Berthiaume, Senior Editor of Chain Store Age, breaks down how to pitch exclusive Q&A interviews that stand out. Learn what editors are looking for, common mistakes to avoid, and actionable tips to refine your strategy.

Big news! We Earn Media is wrapping up, but the journey doesn’t end here. Join Britt Klontz on Digital PR Explained for more PR insights and strategies. Follow the new podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to keep learning and growing with us. Thank you for your support over the years—we can’t wait to see you on the new feed!

Today’s guest writes for a major finance publication that we see all over Qwoted and HARO, and is heavily syndicated and featured on Apple/Google News, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, and more. Today we’ll learn the kinds of stories a high-volume online publication writes and what exactly they need from publicists to complete their stories. We’ll start with analyzing a pitch for a seasonal shopping roundup then dive into media queries. You’ll walk away with sharpened knowledge of digital media strategy and utilize it to come out ahead and earn those syndicated features for your client. In this episode, you'll learn… The types of stories a high-volume finance publication wants to publish What to include in a seasonal shopping roundup pitch Why consistent persistence matters (even if you’re just past the deadline- follow up!) Our guests: Heather Taylor is a senior finance writer for Go Banking Rates. And the head writer and brand mascot enthusiast for PopIcon, Advertising Week’s blog dedicated to brand mascots. She has been published on HelloGiggles, Business Insider, The Story Exchange, Brit + Co, Thrive Global, and more.

Most journalists we talk to tell us they get way too many pitches. When we were told by today’s guest that she’s experiencing the opposite problem, we knew we had to investigate! Today we learn all about local news and how to identify and tell a story that captivates a local audience. Hear about 2 real stories by a local NYC non-profit (and on the flipside a mention of the all-too-many “missed opportunities”) and walk away with inspiration for how to identify a story and sharpen your own storytelling skills. In this episode, you'll learn from a local TV journalist… What makes a good, local news story How newsrooms, producers, and journalists choose the stories they cover How TV has adapted (and continues to adapt!) to a digital audience Our guests: Checkey Beckford is an Emmy® Award-winning reporter for NBC 4 New York. She covers breaking news and general assignment stories