What it is
Russian Press Day is a professional holiday of journalists, editors and media workers observed in Russia on 13 January. It is usually linked to the publication of the first Russian printed newspaper, Vedomosti, in the early eighteenth century during the time of Peter the Great.
For small businesses it is a good moment to thank the media and bloggers who have written about them, to collect press mentions and to talk about how to work with editors.
Symbols: A newspaper, a press badge, a microphone, a notebook, a typewriter, a laptop with a draft
Emoji: 📰 🎙️ ✍️ 📸 🗞️ 🙌
Colours: Ink black, newsprint cream, signal red
Hashtags: #RussianPressDay #Journalism #PR #MediaRelations #ThankYouJournalists
What to aim for
- Strengthen relationships with journalists, editors and bloggers
- Show your press mentions as social proof
- Educate small businesses on pitching stories, which positions you as an expert in PR or marketing
Post ideas by format
Post
- A thank-you to the journalists and bloggers who wrote about you, naming the publications and what you learned
- A post “What makes a good story for local media” with one real example from your own experience
Carousel
- “Press about us”: one slide per mention with a short quote and a link, only for publications that have agreed or are public
- “How to pitch a story to a journalist in 5 steps”: one step per slide
Reel / short video
- Hook: “What a journalist actually wants in your email.” A 20-second list of three things with on-screen text
- A behind-the-scenes video of an interview or a photo session for a publication
Stories
- A poll: “Do you read news in print, online or in Telegram channels?”
- A question sticker for followers: “Which media do you trust the most?”
Ready-made post examples
Layouts we wrote as examples. Replace the details with your own business before you publish.
Happy Russian Press Day to everyone who works in media. Over the past year, journalists and editors helped us explain complicated things to a wider audience, and we are grateful. For small businesses, a good press relationship starts with a simple rule: be useful, be clear and be on time. What helped you build a good relationship with the media?
On Russian Press Day our teachers prepared a short guide for small businesses: how to find a story, how to write a clear first email to an editor and what to attach. We have also added a checklist of mistakes to avoid. Save it and tell us in the comments which media outlet you would like to be featured in this year.
In this short video we show how to prepare a simple press kit: a short company description, three facts, two photos and a contact for journalists. It takes ten minutes and saves you and the editor many emails. We made it for Russian Press Day, and you can download a template from the link in the description. Share your questions in the comments.
Meme and trend formats that fit
- Expectation vs reality. Left: “I sent a press release, now the whole country will know”. Right: a quiet inbox. Self-ironic humour that leads to your practical tips.
- Headline generator. A mock newspaper headline about a tiny event in your business, such as “Local team finally finds the lost stapler”. Keep it light and fun.
What to avoid
- Do not publish a screenshot of a publication or a quote without checking that it is public and credited correctly
- Do not send mass, unpersonalised pitches on this day; a personal thank-you works better
- Do not criticise specific journalists or media outlets; the day is about respect for the profession
When to post
- Prepare your list of mentions and a short thank-you in the week before
- Publish in the morning of 13 January, when media people are online
- Afterwards, send personal thank-you messages to the journalists you worked with
What to check afterwards
- Replies and mentions from journalists and bloggers
- Shares and saves of the pitching guide
- New followers and enquiries from media and PR professionals
Add one line about your business: the free generator gives three captions with hashtags for the network you choose. No sign-up.