Everyone knows the value of free publicity. And given the opportunity, most businesses would jump at the chance to have a news article written about them, or to be covered by TV and radio stations.
But the chances of those stories coming to you on their own are very slim. That's why smart businesses go out of their way to create news, and bring free publicity to them. And it takes a lot more than just your run-of-the-mill press release.
In fact, blanketing every available news organization with generic releases will do you more harm than good. Do it too often, and your releases will start hitting the round file before they are even read.
Just like every other aspect of your marketing, publicity campaigns need to be targeted to be effective. Because even if you do manage to score a write up in your local paper, it won't help you much if your target customer isn't a subscriber. Find out what papers and magazines your prospect does read, what newscasts he listens to or watches, and target those.
Once you have your targets chosen, make sure you have something that will be of interest to them. Remember, you're not writing an ad for your business. You're trying to convince a reporter that you have a story she will want to cover. To do that, you need to know the outlet you're sending your release to, and what kinds of stories they consider news.
It's a rare media outlet that will care about your new product, or sale, or internal promotion ? unless you give them a good reason to. You need some kind of emotional hook that will make your story interesting to the readers/listeners/viewers.
Can you tie your product or sale to a news event? Or better yet, can you create an event of your own? Staging an unusual event or charity benefit can get you lots of positive coverage.
Don't just stop at news releases. Write articles on some new development in your industry and submit them to the publications your prospects read. Distribute ezine articles far and wide over the internet. This establishes you as an expert and gives you exposure.
When you do have an article published or a story done on you, milk it for all it is worth. Make copies and use them in your marketing. Frame them and put them up in your store if you have one. At the very least, tell people you were featured in such-and-such publication.
Publicity can be a great marketing tool. But bottom line is, you have to make it happen. And use it to your advantage when it does!
Does your marketing forge an emotional connection with your prospects? It can. Lisa Packer delivers persuasive, targeted copywriting that dramatically increases your business. Unleash the power of words on behalf of your business by visiting copywriting that dramatically increases your business. today.
green cleaning service Glencoe ..Demand that it pull its own weight in your boat... Read More
Yes, and that pressure often comes from a CEO who... Read More
Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More
When starting a successful business venture or launching a new... Read More
Your public relations people are busy. The buzz is all... Read More
If a reporter was writing a story about you and... Read More
Once upon a time, there was a young, stressed out... Read More
One of the primary tools still used by PR professionals... Read More
Before meeting my soon-to-be-wife for the first time, I "Googled"... Read More
Business, non-profit or association managers hurt their own public relations... Read More
I believe this about public relations.People act on their own... Read More
No comment. These are probably the two most damaging words... Read More
A musician spends years honing his craft. He writes world-class... Read More
Considering how fundamental they are to the publicist's trade,it's always... Read More
Things are pleasant for many business, non-profit or association managers... Read More
HOW TO BE RELAXED AND EFFECTIVE ON-AIRHow does one stay... Read More
The Public Relations (PR) industry is responsible for creating and... Read More
Because it can alter individual perception and lead to changed... Read More
Ideally, you will have two types of quotes in your... Read More
Often the first point of contact the media has with... Read More
Most business, non-profit and association managers live to tell about... Read More
It's difficult enough running the day-to-day aspects of a business,... Read More
Relationships are based on trust-not just romantic relationships, or doctor/patient... Read More
If you leave a star player sitting on the bench,... Read More
We rely on all kinds of tools and advice to... Read More
house cleaning company Bannockburn ..We rely on all kinds of tools and advice to... Read More
You bet!Especially for business, non-profit and association managers who REALLY... Read More
In fact, here are three really foolish goofs made by... Read More
Everyone has an opinion on something, and you can leverage... Read More
Even after a nice piece in a national publication, or... Read More
It behooves you to know and remember the names of... Read More
What makes a good media release and how do you... Read More
In the 'Age of Scepticism' gaining media coverage is one... Read More
More than half of America skips the Super Bowl, the... Read More
The truth is, you CAN attract the support of those... Read More
Who wants to face the challenges of a business recovery... Read More
The most important thing to remember for any interview: stay... Read More
Your public relations effort really should involve more than press... Read More
One of the greatest ways to promote your product or... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, what do you... Read More
About a year ago I read a feature story in... Read More
Although it seems less common these days, there are still... Read More
When I search Google News for "surveys," I get nearly... Read More
There is something newsworthy happening at your organization right now.... Read More
What's a Capability Statement?As the name suggests, it tells potential... Read More
Mark Twain once said the rumors of his death had... Read More
Taking your ad and turning it into paragraph-style prose is... Read More
Southern grandmothers have often said, "there are only three... Read More
Have you ever gotten one of those letters from your... Read More
Community relations is one of those marketing strategies that isn't... Read More
Public Relations |