Create and customize a press channel

Let your journalists publish your stories on their platforms.

Gregory Claeyssens avatar
Written by Gregory Claeyssens
Updated over a week ago

Create a press channel to ask contacts to share or download your stories. Read this help article to learn how to create one.
​


Setting up a press channel

Step 1. First, visit your Channels page by expanding the top-right menu.

Step 2. Scroll down to the "Referral marketing" section and click on "Press".

Step 3. Create a new channel by clicking on "Add new destination".

Step 4. You can now add contacts to this channel. There are three ways to add contacts:

Option 1: Individually

Click on the "+ New Contact" button to enter the contact's email address and name. If they have already given you permission to send them emails, you can untick the option at the bottom, otherwise, they will be first sent an email to approve (example below). Click on "Save" when ready.

Option 2: Import contacts from a CSV file

Upload a list of contacts to save time, especially when you need to add a lot.

Step 1. Open a new document in Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, or any other platform that allows you to create CSV files.

Step 2. On your first row, add headings for first name, last name, and email address.

Step 3. Add values for your contacts from the second row. The email addresses must contain an @ followed by a domain, to have the right format.

email

firstname

lastname

Lewis

Jones

Ivan

Green

Susan

Thacker

Aaron

Brown

Step 4. Export the file as a CSV when ready.

Step 5. Click on the "Import from csv" button and choose your file. You will then be asked to match up your columns with what StoryChief requires. Clicking on "Confirm" completes this process.

Option 3: Embed sign-up forms inside your stories

Navigate to the "Sign up form" tab and click on the "Add form" button. You will now be able to add a form within your stories. Once a reader enters their details, they will be added to your press channel. To learn how to add this form or any other lead capture form inside a story, read this help article.

Customizing your press emails

By navigating to the "Settings" tab, you can change the channel name. Here, you can also change the contents and appearance of your emails.

Channel settings

  • List name: The name you would like for the channel. This is so that it is easily recognizable to you, and is only used internally.

  • From name: The sender's name is displayed inside each email.

  • From email: The address used to send the emails. The domain is not editable.

  • Reply to email: The email address that will be used for replies to each email.

Story settings

  • Default subject: This will automatically set the subject line for each new press email.

  • Default message: This will automatically set the message for each new press email.

  • Story display: You can choose between having the full story display inside the email or just the summary.

  • Share buttons: If you would like buttons to be added to each email, allowing the recipient to share the story on their own social networks.

  • Export buttons: Allows the recipient to download your story and its content to their computer.

πŸ’‘ Tip: This is a great way to increase your reach.

Post settings (social posts)

  • Default subject: This will automatically set the subject line for each new press email.

  • Default message: This will automatically set the message for each new press email.


πŸ“š Next steps

Did this answer your question?