Business Buzz - Making You Famous

Despite the changes that have come to business with the advent of new technologies over the years, there are some public relations staples that have stood the test of time. The press release has been in use since the early 1900s, and is still a great way to get results. Direct to consumer marketing has been prevalent since the invention of the printing press, and only spread with the advent of email, text messaging and social media. But perhaps the most recognizable PR tactic (and one of the most important) is media relations.Watch Full Movie Online Streaming Online and Download

The PR Council recently reported that Media relations is still the #1 requested service from clients of PR agencies. Businesses want their news to be published, they want to be known; they want good media relations. Seems simple right? You have a story, someone will publish it…if only! Good media relations take time, thought and practice. It is not something that you brush aside, skimp on, or wait until the last minute for. Good PR firms have years and years of practice with media relations.

Getting unpaid coverage for your business is vital, especially when there are so many other options for your customers. Press coverage puts your company in front of eyes that might never see a paid ad. Additionally, people are more likely to trust a third party validation than any form of sponsored marketing. Here are a few tips to help you start the process of having good media relations.

1. Research – Media relations is something that takes a lot of research!!! Knowing who you want to publish your story can help a lot. It can save you time and the wasted effort of pitching to publications that aren’t important to you. Select a handful of publications that are your “dream team” list so you will know who you want to target with your media outreach. The list may change with each story or it may stay the same, it depends on what your company needs are.

2. Tell a story – Think about what types of things you hear on the news or read about in print publications. They all tell a story in some way or form. Stories are what interest people and what get them to view or read certain media. If you want to have a better chance at getting your news out there, think of a way to make it into an interesting story.

3. Hire a professional – One of the best things you could do for your business is to hire a professional to help with media outreach. Professional PR firms have experience pitching the media and getting stories published. They have access to detailed press lists with contact information for individual reporters and editors. Seasoned PR professionals also generally have relationships with reporters at local and national publications that can help them get your story in front of the people who write them. This is one of the times that professional help is well worth the cost.

Media coverage can make or break your next event, product launch, facility expansion, etc. Many publications have lead times that span weeks or months. Don’t leave something so important to the last minute, or just give it up to chance. If you can’t afford to hire a big PR firm, there are other options out there, including firms that cater to small businesses, DIY tools, and a la carte services – find one that works for you. We’d love to work with you and figure out how the best media relations plan for your budget. Contact us today!