Here are a few reasons you might want to consider adding an online media room to your company’s website.

Make Things Easier on the Media

If you plan to seek any kind of media coverage for your business, or your business is likely to attract it, a media room makes things easier on reporters, bloggers, and others who might want to report on your company.

For example, a media room provides media-specific contact information to journalists so they don’t get bounced around between different employees. You can also include an archive of your company’s press releases, giving journalists instant insight into the company’s history of newsworthy developments.

Secure Better Online Coverage

Your online media room can also help journalists better cover your company when they want to. For example, you can make sure they have access to high resolution images of your logo, key staff, and products relevant to any news you release.

You might also secure more coverage by giving journalists and bloggers the opportunity to subscribe to your press releases or news alerts, making sure those interested in your business always know what’s going on (perhaps even before you release the news over the wires).

Build More Credibility

An online media room can even help you build more credibility for your business. That’s because a media room is a great place to share examples of past media coverage, quotes, and social proof .

When journalists and bloggers can see how many people follow your brand, how well your staff handles audio or video interviews, or that even larger media outlets thought your company was worth covering, your company can become more appealing to them.

An online media room isn’t necessary for every business, especially all small businesses. But if you’re already security coverage and you’d like to show it off, or you regularly have news to share and you want to make your business more accessible to the media, it’s an excellent place to start.

If you need help creating content for your online media room, contact me any time to discuss what I can do for you.

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What is an Online Press Room?

An online press room is like an interactive media kit. It’s where members of the media (and often general visitors as well) can view past news coverage and mentions of your business, products, or services, your archived news (press releases / news releases), obtain media-specific contact information, and access company-provided media elements (such as videos and high resolution product images).

Benefits of an Online Press Room

While not every small business needs an online press room, there are some distinct benefits to having one. Here are some examples:

• It can make the company look larger, more important, or more professional.
• By showcasing past news coverage, it shows members of the media that others have already deemed the company “newsworthy.”
• It serves as an archive of past news and achievements.
• It serves as a communications “headquarters” between the company and members of the media.

What Should an Online Press Room Look Like?

An online press room can be integrated into your existing website design. It doesn’t need to be a completely separate environment. What’s important in a press room is the content and the ability for members of the media to interact with the company in some way.

Common Online Press Room Components

If you’re not sure what to include in your online press room or media relations area, consider these options. You don’t have to include all of them.

• Press Release / News Release Archives
• Past Press Mentions
• Detailed Company Bio
• Executive / Owner Bio(s)
• Built-In Search Function
• Ability to Subscribe to the Company’s Latest News (such as press releases via email)
• Detailed Media Contact Info
• Company Fact Sheet
• Product Fact Sheets if Appropriate
• Photos / Multimedia (executive photos, product photos, high resolution logos, videos, audio interviews, etc.)
• Media FAQs (questions that members of the media may have, laid out for them ahead of time – these can be answered in the press room, or just the questions to inspire interview questions; often used that way by artists and authors)

Do you already have an online press room for your small business? If not, what’s holding you back? Do you have other ideas for what an online media room should include? Share your thoughts with me in the comments.

This article was originally published on September 12, 2007. It was revised and updated on its currently-listed publication date.

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