Maybe it played for Kevin Costner in "Field of Dreams," but that paraphrased line ? "Print it and they will come" ? doesn't necessarily work in real life.
There's a lot to be said for the value of editorial side coverage, but you can't count on people acting on what they read or even remembering it for long. The smarter bet is to find ways to leverage your coverage to enhance the odds of driving more prospects in. Here are some fairly easy ways to do it:
First, create a short synopsis of the article (making sure your part of it is front and center), including the headline, publication and publication date. Tease to the "hit" or placement on your home page and link it to the synopsis, which you should post to the Press section (or some informational equivalent) of your site.
If you're among the many who are comfortable with e-mail marketing and are fairly nimble, you can devise a simple informational mailing that shares news of coverage and provides a link to the article on the publication's website, if it's available. Many publications allow public access to their content for a limited amount of time, so do this before that time expires.
Otherwise, you need to check out the availability of reprint rights and PDFs, well worth it for articles where you're quoted expansively or that you've authored. For a price, you can secure a PDF (hard copies are usually extra) and guidelines for usage. Don't make your own photocopies or PDFs because you risk violating the publication's copyright.
Here's how to use the PDF: o Create a link to the PDF from the synopsis of the article you've posted on your website. That way people will know they can access the complete piece. o Whether you have formal or informal outreach efforts to clients, customers and friends, incorporate a brief, FYI-type summary of the article and attach the PDF, if it's an e-communique. And don't forget to encourage the recipients to forward the piece to people they know who might find it of interest. o If you use snail mail outreach, things are a little dicier. If you've gotten a printable PDF and the mailing is fairly small, you may be safe printing and making copies to include as part of the mailing. Check the terms of your reprint permission. The problem is that PDFs are made to look good on the computer screen, but printouts don't reproduce as well. o Make sure anyone in your organization who is involved in business development is equipped with the PDF, and encouraged to include it as an informational attachment when promoting the business to prospects and friends.
If it's printed, they may come. If you promote what's been printed, the odds go up exponentially!
Sally Saville Hodge is president of Hodge Communications, Inc., specializing in strategic public relations and marketing communications for businesses, entrepreneurs and professional associations. Formerly an award-winning financial journalist, she brings over 30 years experience to client engagements. Subscribe today to Communic@te! our free bimonthly e-newsletter and get a free special report: "Using Buzz To Create a Groundswell For Your Business." Visit http://www.hodgecommunications.com
kitchen deep cleaning Deerfield ..Well, autumn is upon us and with the onset of... Read More
Writing a press (or media) release is quite an art... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, your public relations... Read More
Although repetition is extremely important, there are times when advertising... Read More
Always ask, "Is now a good time?"Deadlines in journalism are... Read More
What makes a good media release and how do you... Read More
The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers,... Read More
Taking your ad and turning it into paragraph-style prose is... Read More
Let's start out with a caution for business, non-profit and... Read More
The public relations goal and strategy make sense; the message... Read More
Some people think that publicity is all about paparazzi snapping... Read More
It's difficult enough running the day-to-day aspects of a business,... Read More
I define public relations failure this way:key audience perceptions are... Read More
Once considered the stepchild of the publishing industry, custom publishing... Read More
Yes indeed! If you are a young person who has... Read More
If I were coaching you as a business, non-profit or... Read More
1) Do you NEED solid, consistant media exposure...week after week,... Read More
The Acai Berry is starting to gain world wide recognition... Read More
Keep these few crucial details in mind when writing and... Read More
Sure, as a manager, you have a talented member of... Read More
1) Package your story. Two critical elements will help you... Read More
What may be the more appropriate question is: What makes... Read More
As the comedian Steve Martin once said, "some people have... Read More
Here are two to-the-point questions recently posed by several association... Read More
When special events and communications tactics rule the PR roost... Read More
interior house cleaning Highland Park ..Let's start out with a caution for business, non-profit and... Read More
UNDER FIREA friend whose organization is often in the media... Read More
If, as is often the case, you are preoccupied with... Read More
Are you launching a new product or website? Announcing a... Read More
What's a Capability Statement?As the name suggests, it tells potential... Read More
The notion that a business, non-profit or association manager can... Read More
While awaiting economic recovery, business needs to attract the attention... Read More
Effective Media Relations Tips - What To Do After The... Read More
You have a story to tell. Your company has developed... Read More
One of the most misunderstood and most underutilized promotional tools... Read More
Do it by restructuring your business, non-profit or association public... Read More
What is bad PR?Well, if you're a business, non-profit or... Read More
Are you hesitating about hiring a publicist or, if you... Read More
With a dismal failure rate of more than 75 percent... Read More
The public relations bar, should such a proficiency measure ever... Read More
Prior to a TV interview it is guaranteed the journalist... Read More
I'm what we in the business (the "business" being journalism)... Read More
You won't accomplish much if you call the gas company... Read More
When you pay good money for public relations services, you... Read More
When I talk with business people, they tend to believe... Read More
I say public relations can be a matter of survival... Read More
1) Establish Rapport, then get the editor/producer excited.There's not a... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, any tool that... Read More
Not a single reporter showed up at our news event.... Read More
School BusesWhen approaching a school bus: Slow down; If the... Read More
Public Relations |