you’re thinking about starting your own news operation.

You’ve got all these interesting people in your company and you want to get their stories out there right? It’s a great idea and you know what? You can totally do it!

You’re ready to build a news operation, but maybe you’re feeling a little lost, right? 🤔 Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Check out this awesome resource to get you started! 🚀 It’s full of tips from experts who’ve been in your shoes and it’s super easy to follow. You got this! 💪

Table of Contents

It’s All About Storytelling

Think about it the media’s always looking for captivating stories and your company is brimming with them! It’s not about bragging it’s about connecting with people on a human level.

It’s about sharing the journey the challenges and the wins your team has experienced.

Building Your Newsroom

First things first let’s talk about the team.

You don’t need a massive staff to get started.

A few good writers with journalism experience or even folks with a knack for storytelling can kick things off.

It doesn’t hurt to have some people with marketing background too because they can help you understand your target audience and how to reach them.

Find Your Voice

Remember you want to be authentic.

Don’t try to be someone you’re not.

Your voice should be genuine and reflect your company’s values.

The Power of Visuals

Don’t underestimate the impact of visuals.

Great photos and videos can make your stories even more compelling.

If you’re not a photographer hire someone or leverage your existing resources – like your marketing team or even someone in your organization with a talent for taking great pictures.

Beyond the Hype

Now about the content itself.

You want to create news-worthy material not just marketing fluff.

You want to be a credible source of information that people trust.

Think Beyond the Press Release

Don’t just regurgitate press releases.

Instead tell stories.

Dive into the behind-the-scenes share insights and make your company’s work relatable.

Don’t Shy Away from Challenges

Don’t be afraid to highlight the challenges your company faces.

Transparency builds trust and shows you’re not just a company that spins its own narrative.

Think Like a Journalist

What would a journalist want to know about your company? Think about the big picture the trends in your industry and the impact your work has on the world.

Measuring Success

You might be thinking “How do I measure the success of this?” Well don’t get hung up on measuring every single thing.

Sure you can track web traffic engagement and social media mentions.

But remember sometimes the real impact of your news operation is harder to quantify.

Focus on Brand Awareness and Thought Leadership

Think about the big picture.

Are you building brand awareness and establishing yourself as a thought leader in your industry? Are you creating content that other publications are picking up?

Don’t Forget Your Employees

And don’t forget about your own employees.

They’re your best brand ambassadors! A strong internal news operation can boost employee morale and create a sense of pride in their work.

Lessons from the Experts

Intel’s Free Press is a great example of a company that’s doing it right.

They’ve built a news operation that’s both informative and engaging and they’ve found a way to measure success beyond traditional metrics.

Key Learnings from Intel’s Free Press:

Transparency is key: Intel doesn’t shy away from acknowledging their own interests. They’re transparent about their role in the stories they tell.
Focus on storytelling: They tell engaging stories about the technology they create and the people behind it.
Don’t be afraid to go beyond your core business: Intel covers a wide range of topics not just their own products. They see the value in being a thought leader in a broader sense.

Making it Work for You

You don’t have to be a big tech company to launch a successful news operation.

Even smaller businesses can benefit from telling their stories and engaging with their audiences.

Think about how you can use a news operation to:

Build brand awareness: Reach new audiences and grow your reach.
Attract top talent: Show potential employees that you’re a company that values innovation and communication.
Generate leads: Use your news operation as a way to connect with potential customers.
Engage your customers: Create content that’s relevant to their needs and interests.
Drive sales: Highlight the value of your products and services through compelling stories.

It’s Time to Tell Your Story

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your news operation today! You’ve got a story to tell and the world is waiting to hear it.

Here are some additional tips to consider:

Start small and grow: Don’t feel like you need to start with a full-blown news operation. Start with a blog or a newsletter and gradually build from there.
Use the right tools: There are a lot of great tools out there that can help you create and manage your news operation including content management systems social media platforms and email marketing software.
Don’t be afraid to experiment: Try different formats and content types. See what resonates with your audience.
Be patient: Building a successful news operation takes time and effort. Don’t expect to see results overnight.
Be persistent: Keep creating great content and promoting it. The more consistent you are the more people will discover your news operation.
Have fun! Telling stories should be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun it will show in your content.

I’m pulling for you and I can’t wait to see what you create! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need a friendly ear or have questions as you build your news operation.

We’ve all got to support each other.

Yes, You Can Be in the News Business, and Here’s How