Newsjacking Content – Definition & Detailed Explanation – Media Formats Glossary Terms

What is Newsjacking Content?

Newsjacking content is a marketing strategy that involves capitalizing on current events or trending topics to create relevant and timely content. The term “newsjacking” was coined by David Meerman Scott in his book “Newsjacking: How to Inject your Ideas into a Breaking News Story and Generate Tons of Media Coverage.” This type of content aims to piggyback on the popularity and buzz surrounding a particular news story or event to attract attention and engagement from a target audience.

How does Newsjacking Content work?

Newsjacking content works by leveraging the power of real-time marketing to connect with audiences on a more personal and relevant level. By tapping into trending topics or breaking news stories, brands can insert themselves into the conversation and gain visibility among a wider audience. This type of content is often created quickly and shared across social media platforms to take advantage of the immediacy and virality of news cycles.

Why is Newsjacking Content effective?

Newsjacking content is effective because it allows brands to stay relevant and top-of-mind by aligning themselves with current events and trending topics. By associating their brand with popular news stories, brands can increase their visibility, attract new followers, and engage with their audience in a meaningful way. Additionally, newsjacking content can help brands showcase their personality, creativity, and agility in responding to real-time events.

When should Newsjacking Content be used?

Newsjacking content should be used when brands want to capitalize on the buzz surrounding a particular news story or event to increase their visibility and engagement. It is important to be strategic and selective when choosing which news stories to newsjack, as not all topics will be relevant or appropriate for every brand. Brands should also be mindful of the timing and tone of their newsjacking content to ensure that it is well-received by their audience.

Where can Newsjacking Content be implemented?

Newsjacking content can be implemented across various digital channels, including social media, blogs, websites, and email marketing. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram are popular channels for sharing newsjacking content due to their real-time nature and high engagement rates. Brands can also leverage their own websites and blogs to create and share newsjacking content that aligns with their brand voice and messaging.

Tips for creating successful Newsjacking Content

1. Stay informed: Keep up-to-date with current events and trending topics to identify opportunities for newsjacking content.
2. Be timely: Act quickly to create and share newsjacking content while the topic is still relevant and trending.
3. Be relevant: Ensure that your newsjacking content is aligned with your brand values and messaging to resonate with your target audience.
4. Be creative: Think outside the box and find unique angles to approach news stories in a way that sets your brand apart.
5. Monitor and engage: Monitor the performance of your newsjacking content and engage with your audience to foster conversations and build relationships.
6. Be authentic: Maintain authenticity and transparency in your newsjacking content to build trust with your audience and avoid backlash.