How To Get Media Coverage For Your Startup: A Complete Guide • Hacker News Board

Re: How To Get Media Coverage For Your Startup: A Complete Guide

#31

Post by ValG » Thu, Mar 22, 2012, 9:10 PM UTC

Excellent article, very beneficial with some good tips. Plus it brings out some actual writers here to give their insider knowledge which is really nice.

However, I wonder if this will cause the strategy and tactics to become less successful, at least in the short run. And by that I mean, if every entrepreneur that reads the article goes out and those this, it's just going to become the same noise that the reports see every day and they'll learn to ignore it...

What I expect to happen is that there will be an uptick of this type of activity by start-ups that are looking to get some publicity for their companies. It will probably last a month or so, and then die down as they realize that no, it's not really easy to make these connections and to make them be really successful you have to be genuinely interested in the writer and his stories, Think of it as the HN bump.

Any writers seeing this already? Or am I way off base?

Re: How To Get Media Coverage For Your Startup: A Complete Guide

#32

Post by larrys » Thu, Mar 22, 2012, 9:18 PM UTC

derefr wrote: post #29

larrys wrote: post #15

While the OP raises some good points, the letter which got them mention (on Mashable) doesn't even talk at all about what "buffer" is. For example this paragraph ("paragraph one"): "We have some big news for you. With the new release of Twitter.com, we have just released a way to post retweets via Buffer right from Twitter.com at a better time. It works seamlessly via installing our browser extension. You will have n…

"What buffer does" is right there in the text you quoted: > a way to post retweets ... at a better time.

Nope. Not clear enough for someone busy who doesn't want to think.

This, from their about page (it should really be on the home page as well) is the type of clarity you need when pitching:

"Buffer makes your life easier with a smarter way to schedule the great content you find. Fill up your Buffer at one time in the day and Buffer automagically posts them for you through the day. Simply keep that Buffer topped up to have a consistent social media presence all day round, all week long."

And, this is really the key point:

"Simply keep that Buffer topped up to have a consistent social media presence all day round, all week long."

Re: How To Get Media Coverage For Your Startup: A Complete Guide

#33

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Mar 22, 2012, 9:27 PM UTC

pkh80 wrote: post #30

Does anyone else find the whole process of engaging the tech "media" a giant distraction from developing their core product and trying to engage real customers? Chances are if you have product that sounds "cool" to these companies you are going for a market that you are unlikely to win. You are are far more likely to be successful targeting a business that is outside the consumer "cool zone". The consumer markets are…

[deleted]

Re: How To Get Media Coverage For Your Startup: A Complete Guide

#34

Post by LeonW » Fri, Mar 23, 2012, 12:24 AM UTC

logicalmoron wrote: post #27

SAI, former VentureBeat reporter here, few observations: 1) What is Buffer? If I don't know what the company does, I'm going to pass it off to the tips folder and it will probably die in obscurity. 2) The "saw the post you wrote yesterday" is not the approach you want. I cover social games — be aware that I cover social games and make it relevant to that. Reading my last three posts is not enough to tailor a pitch, b…

Really appreciate the feedback on the post, I'll be sure to implement them.

Re 1.), you are right, the writer already had heard of Buffer beforehand, I should have made that clear.

Awesome stuff regarding 3.), I think I'm not doing this enough by far and will do it next time!

Anyways, really great to have these thoughts here, I think it'll be an awesome addition, for Buffer's next round of news coverage. :)