30-Second Summary:
- Newsjacking is a dynamic digital PR tactic, utilising current news for brand promotion, requiring quick, relevant responses to enhance brand visibility and thought leadership.
- Effective newsjacking includes methods like product tie-ins, real-time reactions, and social commentary, focusing on audience engagement and positioning brands as industry thought leaders.
- AI in newsjacking offers advantages like speed and personalisation but needs human insight for nuanced content; specialised PR agencies like us can assist in strategic execution and risk management.
- In 2024, newsjacking remains crucial for brands to lead in digital conversations, requiring a blend of proactivity, creativity, and strategic partnerships.
Staying ahead of the curve in digital PR is essential as there’s just so much happening at any given moment. One of the most popular techniques to make an impact is newsjacking – the practice of leveraging current or breaking news to amplify your brand’s message and presence.
With digital PR newsjacking done effectively, you can take advantage of the news cycle, increasing your brand’s visibility and relevance. However, to succeed, you’ll need your fingers on the pulse and be aware of the latest trends and tactics currently being used in newsjacking PR.
It’s not just about being in the news, but being the news, by aligning your brand with the latest trends and stories. As this can be an effective tactic to use, here we’ll look further into newsjacking in digital PR, offering insights for site owners and businesses keen on exploring this dynamic PR tool.
What is Newsjacking?
Newsjacking is a digital PR strategy where businesses capitalise on current news stories to draw attention to their brand. By injecting your ideas or angles into breaking news, your business can become part of the conversation and gain media exposure.
Unlike traditional PR, which often relies on creating news, newsjacking is about piggybacking on existing news. It’s fast-paced, highly reactive, and requires a keen eye for relevancy. Where traditional PR might plan campaigns months in advance, newsjacking demands agility and the ability to respond quickly to current events. We all know that the news cycle can change extremely quickly, so a swift reaction is needed if a brand wants to capitalise on current interest.
The reason why newsjacking marketing has become an increasingly popular tactic is it allows brands to showcase their relevance and thought leadership in real time. This approach not only increases brand visibility but also engages and resonates with audiences more effectively than traditional, often predictable, PR strategies.
Types of Newsjacking PR
Let’s take a look at the various ways newsjacking in public relations can be used to boost your digital PR efforts, making it more relatable and impactful for your brand.
Different Shades of Newsjacking
- Product or Service Tie-Ins – This is where you align a product or service with a trending news story. For example, a cybersecurity firm might use a high-profile cyber-attack news story to discuss the importance of their services.
- Seasonal or Event-Based Newsjacking – Capitalise on recurring events or holidays. A classic example of this is a fashion brand creating a buzz around its products during fashion weeks or a chocolate brand engaging audiences around Easter.
- Real-Time Reaction – This involves reacting to live events, like a sports brand commenting on a major sports event as it happens, adding their unique brand perspective.
- Social Commentary – Some brands use newsjacking to comment on social or political issues, aligning with their brand values. However, this needs to be done sensitively to avoid backlash.
Impact on Brand Visibility and Credibility
- Enhanced Engagement – By jumping on trending topics, brands can engage their audience in a more dynamic and timely manner.
- Positioning as Thought Leaders – Offering unique insights or solutions in the context of current news can establish a brand as a thought leader in its field.
- Trust Building – When done right, newsjacking can build trust by showing that a brand is up-to-date and aware of the world around it.
How to Use Newsjacking Effectively
Incorporating newsjacking into your digital PR strategy can be highly effective, but it requires careful planning and execution. Here’s how you can use digital PR newsjacking in your campaigns:
Step-by-Step Guide to Newsjacking
- Stay Informed – Keep on top of current news and trending stories. This means regularly monitoring news outlets, social media, and using trend analysis tools.
- Quick Response – Timing is critical in newsjacking. The goal is to act fast but thoughtfully. Be sure that you’ve checked the source of information you’re reacting to before going to publish, just in case it turns out to be less than dependable.
- Relevance is Key – Whilst checking reliability, ensure that the news you’re piggybacking on is relevant to your brand and audience, otherwise, it may seem jarring to your followers on social media or readership if isn’t ‘on-brand’.
- Craft Your Message – Develop a message that ties your brand to the news story in a natural, non-intrusive way. If it comes across as forced then it will be obvious to your audience and less effective.
- Distribute Effectively – Use all available channels – press releases, social media, blogs – to distribute your newsjacked content. You want to cover all angles and give your piece the best chance to perform.
Importance of Timing and Relevance
The success of newsjacking hinges on two critical factors: timing and relevance. Jumping on a story too late can make your efforts seem dated and slow, while irrelevant newsjacking can appear opportunistic or inauthentic.
Tips for Executing a Newsjacking Campaign
- Understand Your Audience – Knowing your audience’s interests and preferences helps in selecting relevant news stories.
- Be Sensitive – Always consider the context of the news. Avoid newsjacking sensitive or controversial topics.
- Maintain Brand Voice – Ensure your newsjacked content aligns with your overall brand tone and message.
AI Newsjacking
Artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the practice of newsjacking, making it more efficient and impactful than ever before. 94% of PR professionals are using AI within their digital advertising strategies, with tools providing the following:
Real-Time News Monitoring – AI tools can scan and analyse vast amounts of news data in real time, identifying trending stories relevant to your brand.
Content Creation Assistance – AI can help in generating quick, relevant content by suggesting angles, headlines, or even drafting initial content that can be fine-tuned by human experts.
Audience Analysis – AI can also analyse audience data to predict which news stories will resonate most with your target audience.
Benefits of Using AI for Newsjacking
- Speed – AI significantly speeds up the process of identifying and reacting to news stories.
- Personalisation – AI can help tailor newsjacking efforts to specific audience segments, enhancing engagement.
- Efficiency – By automating routine tasks, AI allows PR professionals to focus on more strategic aspects of newsjacking.
Potential Drawbacks
- Lack of Nuance – AI may not fully grasp the subtleties and sensitivities of certain news stories, meaning it very much needs the human touch to ensure it’s effective.
- Over-reliance on Technology – There’s a risk of becoming too dependent on AI, neglecting the creative and human insight that is crucial in PR.
The Role of a Newsjacking PR Agency
Navigating the world of newsjacking alone can be challenging, especially for businesses new to this strategy. This is where a specialised newsjacking PR agency like us can make a significant difference.
How We Can Assist:
- Get Expert Guidance – We have the expertise to identify the right news stories and craft messages that resonate with your audience while staying true to your brand’s voice.
- Timely Execution – With our finger on the pulse of current trends and news, we can ensure quick and effective execution of newsjacking marketing strategies.
- Risk Management – We can also navigate the potential pitfalls of newsjacking, avoiding sensitive topics and ensuring that the content produced is appropriate and impactful.
Benefits of Working with Our Agency
- Stay Ahead of Trends – We specialise in newsjacking and are adept at predicting and capitalising on trends that will engage your target audience.
- Enhanced Brand Visibility – We can significantly increase your brand’s visibility and media presence with expertly executed newsjacking tactics.
- Build Brand Credibility – By thoughtfully aligning with relevant news, we’ll help position your brand as a credible voice in your industry.
When looking for a newsjacking PR agency, you want one that can offer bespoke strategies tailored to your business, ensuring that your newsjacking efforts are not just timely but also effective and aligned with your overall marketing goals.
Making Newsjacking Work For You in 2024
Newsjacking is a powerful tool in the digital PR toolkit that will help your brand leverage current news in an intelligent and timely manner, significantly enhancing your brand visibility and credibility. Whether it’s through reacting to breaking news, using AI for quicker and more personalised responses, or partnering with a specialised PR agency like us, it offers a unique opportunity to position your brand at the forefront of relevant conversations.
So, if you’re a business looking to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive digital world, we can look to help. It’s about being proactive, reactive, and creative, all at once, all things our multi-award-winning digital marketing agency excels at.
The ability to adapt and capitalise on the news will become ever more crucial. If you’re ready to harness the power of newsjacking for your brand, contact the team today. With our digital expertise, your brand not only participates in the conversation but leads it.
For further insights please visit our blog, where you can see what to expect from Google in 2024, and download our ultimate guide to backlinks.
