Another thing I think a lot of people miss out on is this - thinking about what would get the media platform the clicks they need, what their audience want to read, what other platforms will quote... thinking about key things like that help. You just have to put yourself in the shoes of the media outlet and if you can't figure it out. Just ask.
Excellent piece! I think it's an issue of not properly thinking about and understanding local media's incentives, startups just want their story out there!
I'll just be forwarding this piece to anybody that wants to argue from now on.
You're a nicer person than I am, because responding to such lazy critique of local tech media is becoming annoying. I've read hundreds of press releases from startups, and they're mostly garbage.
Still, some of these guys get coverage, because journos have stories to write and one gets the sense that despite the nonsense press release, there might be a story there.
If anything, local tech media should publish less of these startup stories. When a startup raises a Series A round, it's straight to TechCrunch or Bloomberg, so what's in it for the media publication that has been covering them all the while?
I try to be understanding of their arguments, but it's mostly painful to see people talk like that. It's especially painful when you've been on both sides of the table and you know that it's not black and white.
Nice article, and I enjoyed it. I think an aspect you didn't mention is related to corruption in the start-up space. I mean start-up founders stealing ideas of others or grossly short-paying them. I mean there isn't a crusading element in the tech media. This will certainly control the corruption. What do you think?
You did an amazing job chronicling this David.
Another thing I think a lot of people miss out on is this - thinking about what would get the media platform the clicks they need, what their audience want to read, what other platforms will quote... thinking about key things like that help. You just have to put yourself in the shoes of the media outlet and if you can't figure it out. Just ask.
Thank you very much, Blessing. And you're right! Like I said in another comment. All of this can be boiled down to empathy.
Exactly!!!!!
Excellent piece! I think it's an issue of not properly thinking about and understanding local media's incentives, startups just want their story out there!
I'll just be forwarding this piece to anybody that wants to argue from now on.
Ha! Please do.
You're a nicer person than I am, because responding to such lazy critique of local tech media is becoming annoying. I've read hundreds of press releases from startups, and they're mostly garbage.
Still, some of these guys get coverage, because journos have stories to write and one gets the sense that despite the nonsense press release, there might be a story there.
If anything, local tech media should publish less of these startup stories. When a startup raises a Series A round, it's straight to TechCrunch or Bloomberg, so what's in it for the media publication that has been covering them all the while?
I try to be understanding of their arguments, but it's mostly painful to see people talk like that. It's especially painful when you've been on both sides of the table and you know that it's not black and white.
An extra ♥️ for your insight that a PR story needs to be less about one's own business and more about what the news about it means for others.
And another ♥️ for proving that perceptions are often unmoored from reality, but that it's worth respecting them.
Thank you, Mike. Ever so kind 😊. Nothing beats empathy in conversations like this.
You're an operator. I'm recognising that 💪😊
That's a good thing, right? 😅
Enjoyed reading. Thanks for providing clarity with fact based insights.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Eseoghene!
Insightful as always. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Damilola. I'm glad you found it insightful.
Nice article, and I enjoyed it. I think an aspect you didn't mention is related to corruption in the start-up space. I mean start-up founders stealing ideas of others or grossly short-paying them. I mean there isn't a crusading element in the tech media. This will certainly control the corruption. What do you think?
Thank you. But I’m not quite sure how that relates to the core topic. Care to expatiate please?
If some start-ups don't respect property laws, should they get good PR? Shouldn't such practices be exposed?
Well, I don’t know about that. That’s not what the essay was about.
This was beautiful to read and very enlightening. Thank you David