A news alert is a quick notification sent by a media organization when a significant event occurs. These alerts typically include the essential details and updates about a topic as it unfolds, making them an important tool for maintaining audience engagement during crisis situations. However, they can also be misleading if they don’t contain the full picture, so journalists must strike a delicate balance between speed and accuracy to maintain their reputation in the digital age.
Mastering the art of creating media alerts (also known as media/news advisories) is a critical skill for PR professionals. They can be used to announce an upcoming event for reporters, such as a local Lights On Afterschool media availability, or they can be more comprehensive press releases that are sent out to reporters and wire services.
News alerts can be set up using Google Alerts, a free service that monitors the web for new content matching your keywords. It can be used to track mentions of your brand, competitors, industry terms, and more. It is also a great way to keep up with trends and discussions around your field of interest.
When setting up a news alert, it is important to choose your keywords carefully. Broad keywords such as “AI development” or “blockchain innovation” will quickly flood your inbox with irrelevant results, so it is best to use specific words or phrases instead. Similarly, try to avoid combining keywords with negative words (e.g., “AI development -animal”) or combining multiple keywords with AND (“AI development -animal OR blockchain innovation”).