Generally speaking, if you want to get the most exposure, hold your event in the morning. More specifically, hold it between 9:30am and 11:30am.
Why that time?
Reporters’ work schedule: Most reporters and photographers don’t show up at the newsroom much before 9:00am. This isn’t always the case, but make sure you know the work schedule and deadlines of the outlet you want to attract.
Financial reason: You don’t want to put the media in a position to make a financial decision about whether your event is newsworthy. Yes, reporters and other staff can be called in to the station or to an event early, but that usually involves paying them overtime.
Newspapers: Most newspapers are morning papers. Holding a morning event gives the print folks a whole day to write and edit the story before their deadline.
Radio reporters: Timing is also important for radio reporters. Morning events give them plenty of time to get your story ready for the afternoon drive time shows.
Afternoon/Evening newscasts: Morning events don’t exclusively have to be covered during the day time news. If your story is strong enough, it can air on all the newscasts throughout the day and evening, and even be picked up by other markets.
The exception: The only exception to the morning prime time would be if your event is newsworthy enough to be covered live during a newscast. This plan is somewhat risky because the news isn’t always predictable, but the live coverage can pay off big.
