Capturing social content at media events can be a simple yet effective way to boost the reach and impact of your secured placement and drive brand awareness. Whether you are in-studio or on-site, with the right strategy, you can create compelling visuals that drive engagement and extend the life of the coverage long after the cameras stop rolling.
To maximize the impact of your media opportunity, it’s essential to arrive with a clear plan and a well-thought-out shot list. In this blog, we’ll walk through some of the most valuable types of social content, ensuring you don’t miss a moment that matters.
In-Studio Media Opportunities
When you arrive at the station for an in-studio segment, there will be several picture-worthy moments to capture. Here’s a checklist of must-have shots, all of which should be captured vertically:
- Client on-set
- Capture moments during the interview, such as the anchor and spokesperson engaging in conversation or demonstrating a product.
- Candid video makes for great Instagram Stories or Reels, so be sure to record multiple clips!
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- Before or after the segment, be sure to grab a posed photo of your client/spokesperson with the interviewer.
- Bonus tip: Tagging the interviewer and the station in a social post is a great way to promote the segment and increase reach! If the interview link is available, social platforms like Facebook are a great place to include a link to the segment for your followers to view.
- Product highlights
- If the segment focuses on a new product launch or feature, make sure to capture clear, high-quality shots of the product. Use the studio’s professional lighting to your advantage and take multiple angles, including close-ups and lifestyle shots.
On-Site Media Opportunities
Compared to in-studio segments, on-site media opportunities, such as live events or brand activations, require a more observant and flexible approach. As the environment may be more lively and less controlled, the goal should be to capture dynamic, authentic content that brings the event to life:
- Behind-the-scenes and preparation footage
- Capturing the preparation process gives your audience a look at the effort and planning behind the event. Arrive early to record videos or photos of the setup process and final display arrangements before guests and media arrive.
- Candid moments of the client and media in action
- Capturing important moments of your client interacting with guests, media, or volunteers.
- Showcasing photos and videos of the media interviewing spokespeople and interacting with attendees is great content for social sharing.
- Branded details
- Remember to take plenty of photos and videos of event signage, step-and-repeat backdrops, branded swag, and anything with your organization’s logo or event theme! Capturing these small, intentional details can help extend the brand story across social platforms.
- Lively atmosphere highlights
- We want to make our followers feel like they were at the event. It’s a great idea to get shots of guests laughing, applauding, and other spontaneous moments!
Using Social Content to Secure Future Media Opportunities
While gathering content at media opportunities is great for social purposes, it can also be a great way to extend your public relations outreach. Compile a folder of b-roll from the event to share in a post-event release for your media contacts that were unable to make it in hopes of garnering extra coverage.
TIP: If you’re going to be sending footage to television stations, be sure to grab some horizontal content as well!
Media opportunities are goldmines for generating engaging social content. With a little planning and creativity, you can turn a single segment into a wide range of shareable posts that increase visibility and extend your PR and social media success.
For a deeper look into capturing at social content at media events, check out our other Scooter Media blogs:
