6 ways to think like a publisher

Whether you’re writing headlines to entice readers or presenting complex data using infographics and videos, you can learn new tricks by looking at how major news organizations plan, publish and promote content.

Social media, smart phones, website software and greater technical knowledge have given businesses of all sizes greater autonomy from the mainstream press, but that doesn’t automatically equate to better PR and marketing.

There’s still much we can learn from news outlets that invest millions to stay sharp. Here are six things publishers do that will help you create better content and improve your PR and marketing campaigns:

1. Put the audience at the heart of your content.

Successful media organizations know who reads their newspapers, magazines or websites, along with the type of stories those readers will find interesting.

To get into this mindset, think about how your audience will react to a new piece of content. Will they read, watch or listen to it? Will they find it useful, or share it with others? If the answer to these questions is no, you should question why you’re producing the content in the first place.