Finding Your News Angle

Finding Your News Angle

“Why is the media not sharing my announcement?!”

If you’ve ever found yourself in these shoes, you’re not alone. 

There are countless reasons why an event, press release, or announcement doesn’t get picked up by the media. It could be bad timing, lack of visuals, or the wrong point of contact but more often than not, a story dies in a reporter’s inbox because it lacks a strong news angle.  

Journalists, outlets, reporters, influencers … they aren’t in the business of running free promotions. They need a reason to believe the story will interest their audience.  

That’s what a news angle is for. It’s the approach or perspective in which the story is told that helps make it more relevant to viewers. 

Today we’re letting you in on industry secrets and sharing some examples of tried-and-true news angles that help increase the newsworthiness of stories and better their chances of getting earned media coverage! 

News Angles 

1. Human Interest: These stories show the human condition. They evoke emotional reactions – like a smile, tears, or laughter. One classic way to frame a human-interest piece is a Cinderella story, aka an underdog success. 
2. Personal Impact: A story that directly affects the audience’s lives. These stories are often framed as a way to make life easier, such as a “how to” on saving money, avoiding danger or being healthier. 
3. Timeliness: It’s called news for a reason— If a story includes new information, it increases its relevance. For example, there is a Kroger in town. Not news at all. A new Kroger location just announced or just opened its doors? That’s news! However, even if the story isn’t brand new, it can still be timely. A story might relate to an upcoming holiday or piggyback on other news and events currently in the spotlight.  
4. Proximity: It’s local! While the internet has dissolved this some, it is still true that we are more likely to care about something happening down the street than across the world. 
5. First of its Kind/Novelty: It’s different or offers shock value. 
6. Prominence: It involves a person or establishment that is well known, like a celebrity spokesperson. 

At Wiser Strategies, we find the angles that give announcements the best chance of getting coverage. Contact us for help crafting your story for the media! 

Check out our social media for more tips to gaining media attention or ask about our custom spokesperson media training seminars, the balanced mic©.