KAIA is here to support your efforts. Visit trustedchoice. independentagent. com / publicrelations / to access all resources or contact vgardner @ kaia. com with questions. •
guide with a real-world example from a Big " I " press release.
• Leveraging LinkedIn— strategies for both your personal and agency pages, including how to publish thought leadership articles.
• Speaking with the Media— how to prepare for TV and radio interviews, craft strong sound bites, and stay on message.
• Building Media Relationships— eight principles for developing genuine, long-term relationships with journalists.
• Event Participation and Promotion— how to get media coverage before, during, and after community events.
• Maximizing Media Coverage— how to amplify your earned media across your website, social channels, and email newsletter.
FREE TEMPLATES & YOUR KANSAS MEDIA LIST
The Toolkit is just the beginning. KAIA members can also access a library of ready-to-use pitch templates covering the topics Kansas consumers and businesses care most about right now: home insurance, auto coverage, tornadoes and severe weather, small business risk, flood insurance, and financial fitness. Each template is designed to be customized in minutes. You add your agency name, a local angle, and your contact information— then send it to the reporters in your market.
And Trusted Choice makes that list easy to get too. Submit a short request form at trustedchoice. independentagent. com / request-your-local-medialist / and you’ ll receive a curated contact list of reporters, editors, and producers serving your specific market. No research required.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
One of the most actionable pieces of advice in the Toolkit is the concept of“ newsjacking”— tying your expert commentary to stories that are already in the news. When local media covers a major hailstorm, flooding, or a rise in insurance rates, that’ s your opportunity to reach out with expert guidance.
The Toolkit also introduces the idea of an“ editorial calendar”— a proactive plan to pitch seasonal content before it becomes news. Think: flood insurance reminders in the spring, back-to-school coverage tips in August, and winter weather preparedness before the first freeze.
The key message throughout the Toolkit is that you don’ t have to wait for big news or hire a PR firm to be heard. With consistent, strategic outreach— even just one pitch per month— you can become the insurance expert that local reporters turn to first.
For members who want hands-on guidance, Trusted Choice is offering a free webinar to help provide more insight:
September 9, Noon ET: " Crisis Communications "— prepare to respond clearly and confidently in difficult situations.
KAIA members may register now at kaia. com / education.
GETTING STARTED TODAY
The resources are free. The templates are ready. The only thing missing is you.
Download the 2026 PR Toolkit, request your Kansas media list, and choose one pitch template to try this month. Even a single story placement in your local paper or a quote in a local TV segment can generate the kind of trust and visibility that takes years to build through advertising alone.
KAIA is here to support your efforts. Visit trustedchoice. independentagent. com / publicrelations / to access all resources or contact vgardner @ kaia. com with questions. •
MAY / JUNE 2026
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