A news alert is a notification that is sent to you when content changes online. This service from Google monitors your selected keywords and lets you know when new results are published, such as blogs, news articles, or updated scientific research. It is especially useful for businesses, allowing them to keep track of mentions of their names, brands and products in the news.
Breaking news alerts are immediate notifications of significant and urgent events that occur as they unfold. They typically include essential information like the who, what, where, when and why of an event, enabling audiences to grasp the situation quickly and understand how it impacts them. They are often disseminated across multiple platforms including TV, radio, websites and mobile apps, ensuring wide coverage. The effectiveness of breaking news alerts hinges on timeliness; they must be sent out as soon as possible to maintain credibility.
Media alerts, sometimes called media/news advisories, are used to promote events and newsworthy items to the press ahead of time. They are similar to press releases but more specific and tailored to the interests of local reporters. It is important for both to provide the angle that will make the story newsworthy to a reporter. This can be done by putting a local spin on the news, such as highlighting a local student activist or mentioning that a key community leader will be attending an afterschool program.
In addition to providing the newsworthy angle, media/news advisories should also include contact information for one person from your organization that reporters can follow up with. This will help reporters and ensure that they are not overwhelmed with questions.