What is Newsjacking and How Can it Catapult Your Biz to the Spotlight?

If you’re looking to implement some basic public relations into your business plan, consider adding “newsjacking” to your PR arsenal. Newsjacking should be a tool that is in every business’s back pocket — locked, loaded, and ready to go at any moment.

What is Newsjacking?

Newsjacking allows you to position yourself or your brand as an expert on a topic to provide insight or commentary on a big story or trend in the news cycle. Utilizing this simple PR strategy can catapult you as an industry leader and an expert source on specific subject matter. 

Of course, not every major news story will be a newsjacking opportunity. You have to know when it’s appropriate to newsjack. If it’s a stretch for your credentials, don’t waste time on it. Newsjacking should be authentic and provide a useful and unique insight into a larger story.

Tips for How to Newsjack:

Monitor the news daily

To effectively newsjack a story, you have to monitor the news continually. However, scrolling through endless articles across countless media outlets can be a nearly impossible task. To make it easier for yourself, set up Google Alerts to notify you of new stories on topics relevant to your industry. You can also follow relevant hashtags on X (Twitter), news outlets or specific journalists on other social media platforms like Instagram.

Be quick

With a 24/7 news cycle, you must be ready to jump on a newsjacking opportunity before it becomes old news. That being said when you come across a story that your expert commentary can add value to, quickly – and thoughtfully – draft a pitch that connects your insights to the story. In your pitch, be sure to clearly explain the issue or topics at hand, introduce yourself and your qualifications, and highlight a few key discussion points you can elaborate on further. 

Be relevant

Ensure you are newsjacking stories that are genuinely relevant to your industry and expertise. Be careful to avoid wasting a journalist’s time if you do not have the credentials to speak on a particular topic.

The news cycle is continually shifting, so it’s crucial to remain engaged and alert. When done right, newsjacking can be a useful and effective PR tool to propel you and your brand forward as a leader in your industry. A well-executed newsjacking opportunity can boost your overall brand awareness and position you as the go-to expert in your field. Don’t be afraid to give it a try.