Indonesia’s top news companies reveal how to get startup stories published

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Every startup needs a media relations strategy. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of small businesses that don’t know how to build a good relationship with the media. Many don’t also realize the importance of using media as a channel to introduce their product or service to the market.

So, how can startups up their media relations game? For this article, Iprice reached out to 11 of Indonesia’s top news outfits to collect good media relations tips from their point of view. The media companies include Tech in Asia Indonesia, Jalan Tikus, Dailysocial, Pikiran Rakyat, Sindonews, Kompas, BBC Indonesia, Jakarta Post, Merdeka, Metrotvnews, and CNN Indonesia.

Tech in Asia: Make sure the product is ready to use

Some publishers have their own criteria in publishing a startup story. These are hints from Tech in Asia (TIA):

• The startup should already have a real product—not just an idea—so that the publisher can try it and give appropriate comments.
• Another filter is if the company has won a competition.
• Funding is also a factor.

When it comes to publishing good content, here’s what TIA has to say:

• Provide content that is insightful and with good supporting data.
• Don’t push or force the media to publish your story.
• Content must be soft-sell and interesting to readers.
• Let the media try and review the product.

Jakarta Post: Understand your target media’s audience

It’s a must for startups to create good content, but it is also very important that they understand the audience of their target media.

So, how can they know the audience? According to Jakarta Post, startups must spend some time reading the news articles of a publisher to understand how the stories are written, know the language style used, and the types of articles that get published the most. If you have a lifestyle article, send it to a lifestyle publisher. If you have tech-related content, send it to tech media. And so on.

Jalan Tikus and Metrotvnews: Connect with a journalist personally

Media relations is an art of building relationships with humans. A personal connection with a journalist can increase a startup’s chances of getting its articles published. In general, the media is very open and willing to help startups, especially local ones. But the products they are likely to publish are ready to use.

Tip to get the media’s attention: Build a personal connection with a journalist so you can get insider tips on how to craft and publish content. Understand his or her background and niche. For example, by sending your tech news to a journalist who usually covers tech stories, you increase your chances of having your story published.

Dailysocial: Media relations is an investment

Startups need to understand that media relations is an investment that needs to be nurtured. They should see it as a partnership where the benefits are mutual for both parties.

They need to give the kind of information that the media needs, such as data, updates, research, or products. On the other hand, the media resonate the story by releasing it to thousands or millions of their readers.

Sindonews: Not understanding the importance of media relations is a loss for startups

Media relations helps introduce the startup’s core business to the market. But how?

BBC Indonesia: There should be media relations education for startups

Kompas: News value is very important

Metrotvnews: Establish good friendships with members of the media

Merdeka: A good relationship with the media starts with a good email

CNN Indonesia: Create content that has impact on people