PR for events
Event PR: how to get press before, during and after your event
Event PR runs on three clocks: the announcement, the run-up and the day itself. Listings editors need dates months ahead, feature writers need an angle a few weeks out, and news desks only come on the day if something genuinely newsworthy will happen. Planning each stage separately is what fills both the room and the coverage.
Story angles that work for events
Journalists do not cover companies, they cover stories. These are the angles that most often earn events coverage:
- A headline speaker, performer or first-ever moment worth reporting
- New data or a report released at the event
- Local impact such as visitors, money raised or jobs created
- A media accreditation offer with guaranteed interview access
How to run events PR yourself
- Pick one story. Choose the strongest angle above and write it in one sentence. If you cannot, the story is not ready.
- Build a short list. Find the 20 to 50 reporters who have covered events recently. A short list that fits beats a long list that does not.
- Write a personal pitch. Three short paragraphs: the news, why it matters to their readers, and what you can offer such as data, interviews or images.
- Follow up once. Three to five working days later, add something new rather than "just checking in".
- Track what lands. Note who replied and what they wrote about, so your next pitch is warmer.
What reporters on this beat want
- Lead with the figure: revenue, deal size, growth or headcount.
- Offer the CEO or CFO for an interview. Business desks rarely quote PR staff.
Mistakes to avoid
- Announcing once and going quiet until the day.
- Inviting press without a reason to attend beyond the event itself.
Who covers events
InsightFuse lists 711 journalists, editors and producers whose role or outlet points to events coverage, across 56 countries. Here is where they work and what they do.
Where they work: top outlets and employers
- BET (BET Networks, a Subsidiary of Viacom Inc.)
- DMG Events Middle East, Asia & Africa
- River Street Events
- Mgpg Events
- Event Management
- Social Diary Magazine
- What's on India Media PVT Ltd
- Ericsson
- Red Bee Media
- What's on Media Group
- Desiblitz | Uk's Award Winning British Asian Web Magazine
- Arena International Events Group
| Country | Journalists |
|---|---|
| United States | 265 |
| United Kingdom | 110 |
| India | 47 |
| South Africa | 27 |
| Australia | 22 |
| Canada | 21 |
| Germany | 13 |
| Philippines | 11 |
| Role | Journalists |
|---|---|
| Producers | 257 |
| Editors | 203 |
| Writers | 141 |
| Journalists | 31 |
| Section and senior editors | 14 |
| Reporters | 12 |
Counts come from the InsightFuse database and include only people with editorial job titles. Names and contact details are available inside the app.
Browse journalists on these beats
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
When should I send an event press release?
Send an announcement six to eight weeks ahead for listings, a media advisory one week before, a reminder the day before, and a results release within 24 hours of the event.
What is the difference between a media advisory and a press release?
A media advisory is a short invitation that tells journalists who, what, when and where so they can attend. A press release tells the full story and can be published as-is.
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