How to Master the Art of a News Alert

In this era of high-speed breaking news, mastering the art of media alert is more important than ever. While these alerts can help raise awareness, they can also raise ethical issues around sensationalism and triggering fear in audience members. With a little planning, brands can use these tools to meet consumer expectations while still delivering trustworthy, relevant information.

A news alert (also known as a media advisory or a press release) is an announcement of a present or upcoming event intended specifically for journalists and other media professionals. They’re meant to pique the attention of reporters and convince them that your event or initiative is worth their time and coverage. They should include what’s called the “five Ws”: Who, What, When, Where and Why. It’s also helpful to include supporting evidence, such as quotes from people involved or opinions from industry experts.

The best way to distribute your media alerts is by sending them directly to journalists and other media professionals. Ideally, these alerts should be distributed one or two days in advance of the event to give reporters a chance to plan their time and editors to leave space for your story. They can also be distributed via traditional outlets like local newspapers and broadcasters, or through wire services like the Associated Press.

Another tool for monitoring breaking news is Google Alerts, which allows you to set up search terms for any topic or subject that interests you. You’ll then receive an email when new content matching those terms appears online. It’s helpful to limit the number of notifications you receive per day to avoid information overload.

How to Achieve a Strong App Launch

Whether you’re building an app for the first time or expanding your mobile presence, a successful app launch is crucial to your growth. Mobile apps are incredibly profitable with user-driven demand, unlimited branding opportunities, and an endless list of potential use cases. However, app store saturation, increased competition from alternative app stores and third-party platforms, and rising user expectations means that it’s no longer enough to have a great idea and solid code. Achieving a strong app launch is now an essential part of the development process and requires strategic planning across research, measurement, and marketing.

App users take just a few seconds to decide whether an app is worth installing so it’s vital to set your app apart from the crowd and make the most of their attention span. That’s why knowing your audience, defining what sets you apart, and leveraging the power of social media and influencers are all critical for a strong app launch.

It’s also important to begin building your audience before you even start developing your app. Having a dedicated audience to promote your app to upon launch will generate excitement and drive downloads. This can be done through social media campaigns, email newsletters, and word of mouth. Additionally, timing your launch with events related to your app’s industry (like New Year for fitness apps) can create a sense of exclusivity and urgency. You can also build curiosity and anticipation by sharing behind-the-scenes looks at your development journey, teaser images, and countdown posts on social media.