How to Leverage a Press Hit for Months After It Runs
Great press features are hard to come by. Whether it’s a profile on a reputable online publication or a product mention in a TV segment, these key press moments, no matter how brief, are what brands live for. So, when you successfully land one, it can feel like the peak of a PR win.
But the truth is that the real work—and the work that draws out the true value of a single press hit—begins after the story runs. Learn how to maximize your press hits, and you’re looking at long-term, consistent brand visibility.
This guide shows you how to extend the lifespan of your media coverage using effective public relations strategies, digital tools, and storytelling techniques.
1. Add it to the mix of PR efforts.
Complacency kills—many brands make the mistake of treating a press hit as a one-time event.
What it truly is, is an opportunity for more PR. Integrate your media moment into a larger PR plan that maximizes earned, owned, and shared media.
After your press hit runs:
Make announcements on your website’s news page. Make sure to add the link to the article or interview, related images, and a short pull quote.
Share it across your channels. From LinkedIn features to carousel posts on Instagram, your socials will benefit from content that not only keeps your page relevant but also engages your audience and strengthens your authority.
Tag the publication and journalist. This is proper media etiquette, but more than that, tagging the publication and journalist also boosts engagement by drawing in their audience.
Your goal is to incorporate your media moment into your broader media relations strategy, reinforcing your other efforts like your social media campaigns or website SEO.
2. Repurpose the story.
There are many different ways your audience consumes your content, and a single story can open up a wealth of content opportunities. All you need is a little creativity and strategy.
Here are a few PR ideas:
Write a blog about the press hit’s impact. Why does it matter to your community and your industry? What was the reception among specific stakeholders? Share your thoughts and behind-the-scenes moments.
Create short video content. Today’s audiences respond best to short-form stories. Whether you use interview snippets or a slideshow-type feature, a short video will go a long way in your content marketing strategy.
Mention it in pitches or brand decks. A reputable media mention always adds extra points for you. It adds to your credibility as a brand.
When you extend your story into multiple touchpoints, you’re able to reinforce your overall brand narrative. This nurtures your relationship with your audience and improves your reputation.
3. Build long-term relationships.
A single press hit can also pave the way for new relationships and a stronger professional network. Journalists and editors always take note of spokespeople and brand representatives who are reliable, collaborative, and genuine.
Here’s how to keep the momentum going:
Send a short thank-you note. A simple yet heartfelt expression of gratitude will mean a lot to the journalist you were working with. It validates their effort and reflects your character as well.
Share any helpful data. Your data will also help the journalist and the publication measure their success. From engagement graphs to comment threads, your generosity with relevant data helps build stronger connections.
Offer relevant updates. If your story sees an exciting development, take the initiative to reach out to the publication so they may pursue the story further.
Building relationships with the media helps your overall media relations strategy. This is how your press hit creates a long-lasting impact, both for your brand and the publication you worked with.
4. Measure, reflect, refine.
There’s nothing quite like a data-backed PR plan. If you want to move into future public relations strategies with more clarity and certainty, you should track how your audience responds to your press hit.
Some guide questions to get started:
Did you gain new followers or subscribers? Was your view count higher than average?
Did your website traffic increase?
Which platforms saw the highest levels of engagement?
The data you gather from a single press hit is what makes it worth it. Investing time and effort into PR insights helps you gradually improve, until you develop a PR playbook that works specifically for your brand, audience, and industry.
One Press Hit, Multiple Possibilities
One of the keys to great PR is resourcefulness. If you go in with the mindset that there’s always so much you can do with however much you’re working with, you’ll see results that run deeper than single moments in your PR strategy.
Follow through on your key media moments, and you’ll have a media relations strategy that’s reliable, effective, and full of impact.