By Carol Wadell
Media publicity is terrific FREE advertising if you can get it. Nothing convinces prospects that you, your product or service is worth their money like an unbiased media endorsement. Although the media makes its money by selling advertising, you can get free media publicity if you're aware of these editor needs and pet peeves.
Newspapers, e-zines, magazines, tabloids, TV stations and radio personalities are constantly on the lookout for good stories and helpful information their audience will appreciate. Those last few words deserve emphasis. Editors aren't interested in giving you a free plug nearly as much as they want to give their audience something valuable. If your information is of interest to the audience, editors don't mind giving you a boost in the process.
And there are several "do"s and "don't"s that impress editors.
1. Get to the Point--When contacting an editor or publisher, get right to the point with your phone call, email or letter. Start with the part of your story that will interest them the most. Don't ramble on too long. Their time is valuable. Provide contact information so the editor can get back in touch at a later date. Offer to follow up with more information.
2. Time Your Calls--Don't call a newspaper editor or reporter after 3 p.m. That's crunch time at most daily newspapers when the staff is rushing to reach deadlines. It's best not to call a TV station just minutes before the newscast or while the cast is on the air.
3. Focus on News--Make sure your story is "newsworthy." Your message must be of interest to a large part of the audience. Editors hate it when somebody tries to disguise an ad or commercial as news or an article.
4. Be Professional--Be sure your written message has good grammar and correctly spelled words. TV programs are looking for something visual. Offer to supply tape showing your event or product. E-zines and tabloids are interested in helpful information you can share with readers.
5. Consider Radio--Don't forget that radio also needs a constant supply of interesting stories every day of the year. Call radio DJs when they're on the air or right after their air shift is over. Have something entertaining, funny, interesting or controversial to say.
Good luck with your marketing efforts.
Carol Wadell provides Media Directories on CD-ROM--your valuable source for more than 10,000 newspapers, 3,000 magazines and 2,000 e-zines. All magazines and e-zines are categorized, making it easy to target your market. Database directories allow you to sort and report the information in a way that works best for you.
Visit Carol's website at: http://www.WorkShopInc.com
You may also email her at: mme@workshopinc.com
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