Press trips are an essential component of traditional PR for both hotels and venues. As a specialist hospitality marketing and PR agency, we organise hundreds of press trips each year. Here are our top tips to ensure you get the most out of the activity:
- Study potential press trip media outlets carefully, whether you approach them or the other way around, and always get the coverage confirmed – length of article and, if possible publication date – before going ahead with planning the trip
- Be aware that some features for long-lead press, such as glossy lifestyle magazines, can take up to a year or longer to appear in print
- Bringing a partner is often expected when journalists are visiting for a hotel review, but make sure it’s made clear in advance what is and isn’t included as complimentary as part of the package, to avoid any awkward conversations when settling the bill
- Don’t design a special menu just for the journalist. To avoid future disappointment, only offer dishes that are regularly available to guests
- After successfully hosting a journalist, it’s well worth nurturing the relationship as he/she will hopefully remember you when writing other relevant editorials and include you
- For an immediate result, ask journalists to make some noise on their social media channels during their stay while you wait for the coverage to be published
For more PR insights and top tips visit: www.custardcommunications.com
