About a year ago I read a feature story in the Wall Street Journal. It was about a new trend -- baby showers that were being thrown for grandmothers.

The article was terrific -- newsy, entertaining and informative. It was subsequently featured as a reprint in my local newspaper, and I'm sure in many other newspapers.

I remember thinking (of course, being in the publicity business, this is the kind of stuff I think about) that this was a prime example of the quality of stories in the Wall Street Journal, and a major reason for the popularity of this newspaper.

As a long-time reader of the Wall Street Journal (I was required to subscribe to it in college as a Finance Major), I am very familiar with the publication. And it allows me to pitch stories better, because I know the types of stories that are covered.

When clients tell me they want to be on Oprah, I ask them, "Have you watched Oprah lately?" Nine out of 10 say no.

My point is this: If you really want to have a great chance at getting coverage in a specific media outlet, you should be really familiar with that outlet. As the reader, or listener, or viewer, you are in a unique position to understand what you like and don't like. And the media people will respect the fact that you are pitching them a story that their audience will be interested in.

Copyright 2005 Margie Fisher All Rights Reserved

Margie Fisher is President of Margie Fisher Public Relations. She is also the author of the Do-It-Yourself Public Relations Kit?. To sign up for her free biweekly PRactical P.R. newsletter, and to see more free articles, visit http://www.margiefisher.com