The European Parliament elections have just wrapped up, and the summer sun beckons. News outlets might ease up on the daily churn, but the political scene never truly stops, and neither do the journalists. Associations, organisations, and everyone invested in the European political sphere can strategically use this “slowdown” to stay relevant and hit the ground running in September.
Here are some key ways to turn the summer lull into a springboard for success when the political machine revs back up in September from a media relations specialist.
Pitching to the press
While the media may take a break from daily political news, insightful commentary is still needed. News outlets have targets to hit, so leveraging the momentum that most teams are taking their holidays will give you the advantage and more chances to get featured. Here’s how to pitch compelling stories during the summer slowdown:
- Focus on long-term trends: Analyse the deeper implications of recent elections. How might the new political landscape impact specific policy areas or social issues? Offer your organisation’s unique perspective on these long-term trends.
- Local matters, global impact: Dig deeper into national political developments within member states. How do local issues connect to broader European concerns? Highlight these crucial connections in your pitches.
- The power of data & analysis: Data-driven stories can reduce summer noise. Use your expertise to analyse voter demographics, campaign spending, or social media sentiment trends.
Cultivating good media relationships is key to ensuring your voice is heard throughout the year, not just during peak news cycles. It is also a craft and art that does not rest because of the summer lully. If you are new to this domain, here are some basic principles of cutting across the noise:
Become a source of value: Provide journalists with insightful analysis, data-driven stories, and expert commentary relevant to their coverage areas. Don’t just pitch press releases; offer genuine insights that make their jobs easier.
Be responsive and reliable. Always respond to media inquiries and adhere to deadlines. Journalists value reliable sources they can count on for accurate information.
Respect their time: Tailor your pitches to the specific journalist’s beat and avoid bombarding them with generic emails. Keep your pitches concise and newsworthy.
Build relationships beyond the pitch: Follow journalists on social media, engage with their work, and offer congratulations on their successes. This fosters a sense of connection and keeps your organisation on its radar. Emails can not even compete with the success of pitching through social media.
Staying relevant & informed
- Track think tanks and independent media. While mainstream media might ease up, think tanks and independent journalists often produce valuable insights. Follow their work to stay informed and identify potential talking points for your organisation.
- Engage in online discourse: Social media can be a powerful tool for gauging public opinion on political issues. Actively participate in online discussions, share your organisation’s research, and engage with relevant influencers to stay at the forefront of the conversation.
Turning the inevitable summer dull into an advantage
Deep dives & strategic analysis: This quieter period explores policy areas relevant to your organisation’s work. This will give you a head start crafting insightful commentary when the political machine revs back up.
Content creation powerhouse:. Use this time to develop white papers, policy briefs, or infographics analysing the recent elections and their potential consequences. This pre-built content arsenal will be invaluable for pitching to the press when the news cycle picks up again.
Sharpen your advocacy skills: Summer can be a great time to refine your organisation’s advocacy strategies. Review past campaigns, assess their effectiveness, and brainstorm new approaches to engage policymakers and the public on key issues.
Adopting these proactive strategies ensures that your organisation or association stays relevant and informed throughout the summer political slowdown. Come September; you’ll be perfectly positioned to capitalise on renewed political fervour and contribute your expertise to the evolving European landscape. Remember, the press might take a break, but the European political drama never truly stops.
