How to Get PR

There is a process for successfully getting publicity about your business or organization. Publicity is no great mystery, just a thorough and strategic sales job. You are selling content to a publication or website who needs it to entice their readers. No publicist can guarantee a publication will print stories about your company because the publisher or editor ultimately controls the content of a publication. However, here is the method we recommend:

Process outline:

1. Know that publicity is really a sales job. Sure, there is some good strategy involved just like in sales. It's about pitching your idea to get a publication to "buy" (print) your story or interview you as an expert in your field. This works best when you establish a relationship with the editor or publisher so they can trust the information you're submitting. Relationships take time to develop. So, just like any sale, be sure to educate yourself about who your targeted publication markets are, what they want, plan your campaign and remember; "the sale is made in the follow up".

2. Determine how your publicity will support your marketing goals. Develop stories and the pitches on those subjects in a careful & strategic manner. Write compelling and educational stories that would interest the readers of the particular publication you are pitching.

3. Understand that editorial stories are NOT advertisements. Your story pitches cannot be advertisements for your companies. Advertising and editorial are two different entities in publishing.

4. Create a press kit. (see our flier on the elements needed for a press kit)

5. Make a list of all the publications you'd LIKE to be in, those you think your targeted market will read, or others who might be very interested in the content you have to offer. Include websites and other electronic media.

6. Do NOT spam one press release to all major media in your area. This is only done in extremely specific instances, otherwise it will backfire on you. Rather, select your media wisely and send your press release to those you know are interested.

7. Call the publications to ask for a media kit. Review their editorial calendar, read their publication over time to strategically find out what they are looking for. Database their contact information.

8. Identify all the columns in each targeted publication to whom your article is appropriate for submission. For example, if you are pitching a story about how business owners can best manage their IT services, pitch to the Technology editor as well as the small business editor. If you have new products unique to the marketplace pitch to the "product review" editor-note: this is unique to specific industries and not to be confused with advertising. *A

9. Write a query to the Editor(s) or Columnists/Writers. In one paragraph pitch the overview of your idea to make it compellingly interesting so they'll want to "buy" it and understand how their readers will gain value from it. *B

10. Submit queries or stories the way the publication wants to receive information-via email, fax or mail. A query is simply an inquiry to the editor asking if they would be interested in what you have to write about and asking for guidelines. Where possible, include your press kit with your actual press release or story submission.

11. Be prepared to write (or have pre-written) the story you are pitching because in the media, speed is everything. If an editor finally does call to say they'd like your submission, you should be prepared to get it to them in one day. *C

12. Create a list of 5-10 articles you could prepare quickly so if a publication calls to request an article, you can respond promptly. Be sure the topics support your marketing goals without being (subversive) advertising.

13. Follow up as appropriate. Every publication is different, so it's best to seek professional help with this so you don't harm your reputation by making common mistakes. My rule of thumb is that "In the follow up is the sale". It is hard, takes time and is necessary to develop a relationship. *D

NOTE: #4

14. Track all progress on a database, to help you note action items and results. The most successful campaigns are developed over time (remember, it takes time to develop a relationship) so should be tracked to help you remember, be consistent and efficient.

If you've not directed your own publicity campaign before, we recommend you get expert advise at these stages of this process;

*A. review of selected targeted publications,

*B. review or editing your query and pitch the first time,

*C. evaluation or editing of your story-get an expert viewpoint to ensure you're on target,

*D. short training session on how to conduct follow up, what to track

WE CAN HELP

If you do not have the time or inclination to do this work yourself, give us a call-that's what we do. We help clients create professional press kits and publicity campaigns to further their marketing goals and get the recognition they deserve. Our services include creating all elements in a press kit, strategic planning for a publicity campaigns, integrating marketing and publicity, selecting a strategic media list to target, and follow through to net the return.

About The Author

As a former film & television director, producer, and manager, Allison rebelled against misleading, pushy marketing by consulting with businesses on "Marketing as a Spiritual Practice". Clients include United Airlines, Apple Computers, Chevron, ABC-TV, HBO-TV, advertising agencies, and hundreds of other smaller businesses.

Allison Bliss Consulting combines an expert team of seasoned professionals from the fields of advertising, promotional design & copywriting, event and television production, who offer Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurs an integrated range of do-it-yourself marketing products & cusomized hands-on services.

allisonbliss.com

cleaning team near Winnetka ..

In The News:

Researchers discover phishing scam using invisible characters to evade email security, with protection tips including password managers and two-factor authentication.

iPhone and Android users can reduce battery drain and data usage by restricting Background App Refresh to Wi-Fi connections instead of mobile networks.

Scammers nearly stole an Apple account by exploiting the support system with authentic-looking tickets and phone calls, users can protect themselves with safety steps.

FoloToy restored sales of its AI teddy bear Kumma after a weeklong suspension following safety group findings of risky and inappropriate responses to children.

Threat intelligence firm Synthient uncovers one of the largest password exposures ever, prompting immediate security recommendations.

Viral video shared by Elon Musk shows Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots performing tasks from cooking to construction, garnering over 58.5 million views on social media.

Chinese hackers used Anthropic's Claude AI to launch autonomous cyberattacks on 30 organizations worldwide, marking a major shift in cybersecurity threats.

Apple's new Sleep Score feature gives you a rating for your nightly rest quality. Learn how to set it up on your Apple Watch and iPhone today.

Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.

The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.

Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.

New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.

FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.

New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.

OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.

Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.

New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.

DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.

Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.

Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.

Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.

A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.

South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.

Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

How to Get PR

Public Relations