When to have a press conference

The majority of press conferences are held for politicians, musical artists, movie stars and business moguls. It’s a great way to get your client’s name out there and do it in the most professional, respectable way possible.

However, if done at the wrong time, a press conference can seriously damage a person’s image. Make sure that this is the media event you want for your client and that he/she is prepared, because it can either go extremely well or it can be disastrous.

Reporters will only come out for a reason. The reason for the press conference better have a good motive behind it. Be sure that there are no other means of delivering this news than through a press conference. If reporters feel like you’ve wasted their time, they will eat you alive!

So when should you hold a press conference?

• You have more information than can be put in a single press release.
• You know there will be questions that need to be answered that can’t easily be done any other way.

If you’re not ready to put 110% into this event, or if your client is not prepared to face the media, don’t even waste your time. A lot of hard work and dedication goes into creating a successful press or news conference. If you are not ready for long days and even longer nights, don’t even consider it.

And if you must, really MUST, have a press conference, check out my tips on how to put one on successfully at my other PR blog: The Power Publicist.

Image Credit: Leo Roubos on Flickr