Requesting a Link from a major newspaper

[clayknight]

Hi,

One of my clients was interviewed by LA Times for an article that came out yesterday. The article is online with the company name but no link. Does anybody have any advice on the best way to get a major newspaper like that to add a follow link? I appreciate any advice!

Thanks,

Clay

[RyanPurkey]

A big part of PR is the relationship--heck that's half of it.. ;^)--so reaching out to the reporter with an email like, "Thanks so much about your great story on Company B. I'm working with them in a PR capacity (ONLY IF TRUE) and am happy to help with any other inquires. Here's the company website (URL) and press kit page (page with photos, contact info, basic stats, approved quotes, etc.) which you can use at any time. If you see anything missing that you'd like on there just let me know. For example, if there's a certain company boilerplate that the LA Times likes to add to these articles, [Company Name, Employee Count, Website, Founded Date,] I can be sure to get you that.  Thanks again!"

You get the idea. You're not even asking for the link directly but instead building your relationship with them as a contact.  The more you make it as a way to make their job easier, the better.

Again though, only do this in your capacity of PR relationship with the company.  If it's beyond your scope and they have a PR person, forward along the article to them and say, "It'd be great if they linked to the company's website! (URL)" That person should already have the relationship in place.

[Fuel]

Definitely agree with Ryan - relationships are key!

Beyond that, you can start building those relationships on a small scale by finding the journalist and/or company in question, following them on twitter or linkedin, sharing their content, etc. then continue by providing comments / feedback or engaging in conversations. You never know, they might start remembering you after a while.

Overall, though, working with PR is definitely a win/win in any situation to fostering a natural link earning campaign.

[EricaMcGillivray]

Everyone has great suggestions!

It's also important to look at how that publication does links and make sure that you aren't pushing them to do something they won't do for anyone. Recently, I was working with a publication that was happy to link to how-to or further information articles, but did not want to link directly to any brand mentions.