A media spotlight is a form of journalism that highlights a person, event, or organization. Often featuring plenty of back story and insights, it humanizes the subject matter. It may also take on the form of investigative journalism or opinion writing, with an overall goal of informing and motivating.
Depending on the type of journalism, the tone can be satirical, entertaining, inspirational, analytical, or informative. However, there are several things that all media spotlights have in common. First and foremost, they must be newsworthy. Newsworthy stories are timely, relevant to the current landscape, and provide valuable insight or information that readers might otherwise not have access to.
The next key element is the impact of the story on a specific audience. Whether it’s the launch of a new restaurant in town, or a new low-code/no-code software program that has the potential to revolutionize how educators teach their students, it must be something that will resonate with a specific demographic.
When submitting a media pitch, it is important to research the journalist and publication you are targeting. This can be done using tools like Prowly, which identify journalists by location and beat to ensure your pitch is aligned with their interests. Lastly, it is a good idea to include a short description of the angle you are pitching in the email subject line. This will help to increase your chances of having it opened and read.
With the right strategy and a constant stream of newsworthy content, organizations can earn media recognition without waiting for a big, upcoming announcement. By identifying their unique stories and tailoring them to their target audiences, they can maximize the opportunities to be featured in the media.