With spring in full bloom, April brings fresh media opportunities for PRs aiming to secure press coverage in the UK. Trending topics like Easter, springtime activities, gardening, and upcoming events like the London Marathon are dominating journalist inquiries. This blog takes an in-depth look at how to maximize your media outreach efforts during this season.
Trending Topics to Tap Into
1. Easter Content Leads the Way
Easter-themed content was highly sought after in March, with over 3% of journalist inquiries focusing on Easter-related topics. Media requests ranged from Easter egg and gift guide features to activities for school holidays and travel ideas.
What to do?
- Ensure your Easter-related products or services are media-ready. Journalists will likely continue to seek last-minute features, so be prepared to provide high-quality imagery and samples.
- Travel experts offering insights on holiday destinations may find opportunities to secure features in prominent outlets like The Sun Online, Daily Mail, and Sheerluxe.
2. Spring Fever Is Everywhere
Springtime remains a perennial favorite for media topics. In March, the term “spring” appeared in over 5% of journalist inquiries, marking nearly double the number of requests compared to the previous year. Content related to spring cleaning product reviews, seasonal recipes, and must-have travel gear gained noticeable attention.
What to do?
- Leverage spring-related themes for beauty, fitness, fashion, and food to harness media interest.
- Provide expert comments on topics like seasonal health tips or light spring meals to capture coverage in popular outlets like HELLO! or The Telegraph.
3. Gardening Is Blooming
Gardening content saw a significant rise, accounting for nearly 6% of journalist requests in March. Topics included expert advice on composting, pruning grapevines, and growing seasonal fruits like blueberries. Outlets like Ideal Home, Metro, and Homes & Gardens consistently featured gardening content.
What to do?
- If your business offers gardening products or services, highlight expert tips and industry insights to meet journalist demand.
- Media outlets often prioritize expert-led advice, so presenting industry professionals as spokespeople for gardening trends can be a winning strategy.
4. Outdoor and Seasonal Activities
With warmer weather approaching, journalists are starting to search for content related to outdoor activities and family-friendly adventures. Approximately 2.5% of media requests last April focused on “outdoors” topics. Similarly, Father’s Day gift guides are also emerging, with over 3% of related inquiries appearing early.
What to do?
- Position your products as ideal components of outdoor adventures or family days out. This could be picnic items, day trip guides, or gear for hiking.
- Prepare gift guide submissions well ahead of Father’s Day to ensure inclusion in top-tier consumer lifestyle publications.
5. London Marathon Spotlight
The London Marathon, held on April 27, creates a seasonal demand for running-related stories. Nearly 2% of inquiries last year focused on tips for training, running gear, and advice for aspiring marathoners.
What to do?
- Collaborate with running experts or feature personal success stories to craft engaging marathon-themed content.
- Pitch running gear that stands out, such as innovative footwear, hydration tools, or recovery gadgets, to capitalize on event-driven media interest.
How to Maximize Your Media Coverage in April
Be Timely
Journalists work on tight deadlines, especially for seasonal content. By proactively pitching relevant stories or products early, you increase your chances of getting noticed. Monitor trending topics and align your pitches with current demands.
Provide High-Quality Media Kits
A strong media kit with high-resolution images, product details, and relevant quotes can make all the difference. The easier you make it for journalists to work with your materials, the more likely your pitch will stand out.
Leverage Experts
Journalists often seek expert opinions to enrich their articles. Whether it’s a travel expert, a fitness trainer, or a gardening specialist, connecting them with credible individuals from your network will enhance your pitch’s appeal.
Monitor Keywords
Popular keywords like “spring,” “Easter,” and “gardening” dominate media inquiries during this season. Tailor your pitches to include these terms to align with what journalists are actively searching for.
The Power of Proactive PR
The month of April offers a range of opportunities to amplify your media coverage, provided you remain proactive and adaptable to journalist needs. Whether it’s getting involved with Easter festivities, leveraging the spring season, or aligning with major events like the London Marathon, timing and relevance are on your side.
Focus on crafting valuable, insightful, and timely pitches to position yourself as a go-to resource for journalists. Need help streamlining your outreach efforts? There are plenty of tools and services to ensure you never miss an opportunity to connect with the press.