Recently I read an article on the Wall Street Journal blog about How to Get Killer PR by Kelly Spors
It starts like this:
“About a month ago, I was a guest on MSNBC’s “Your Business.” Another guest on the show was Sarah Endline, founder and chief executive of Sweetriot, a small New York company that sells chocolate-covered cacao beans.
As it happens, this wasn’t my first encounter with Ms. Endline. I’d interviewed her for a story a few months earlier on angel investing, though I ultimately didn’t mention her in the piece. My colleague cited her as an example in a story on companies sharing their profits with charity. And I’d run across another feature on her while browsing a magazine.
Small world? Or killer PR?”
She goes on to say: “I called Ms. Endline and asked how she’s managed to generate so much media buzz for her five-employee company.”
Here’s the PR pointers Kelly shared with her readers from that conversation:
Attend Events
Find Compelling Themes
Take Advantage of Opportunities for Publicity
Be easy to reach and accessible
Make time for PR
To read the entire artcle, visit: http://blogs.wsj.com/independentstreet/2008/03/13/how-to-get-killer-pr/
BTW, do you know an outstanding woman in Media? if so, let me know! I am compiling a list of Women in Media and Public Relations to Watch and would love to add your recommendations to my list.
Send a note to heidi (at) wecai.org with “Women in Media” in the subject line.
June 28th, 2008
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Be the Media’s Dream Guest Publicity Tips by National Publicist,
Annie Jennings of Annie Jennings PR
Want To Be A SMASH HIT Success On TV & Radio?
Want To Avoid Media Mistakes With Your Publicity & Book Promotion?
Learn The Publicity, TV, Radio & Media Skills You Need To Be The Media’s Dream Guest! This chapter includes a set of tried and true publicity tips to use while working with the media. You’ll learn 8 of the top pre-interview tips, on-camera or on-air tips, book promotion and publicity tips, media etiquette tips & lots more PR publicity pro tips to help position you as the media’s dream guest!
GET YOUR FREE CD “The Making Of A Million Dollar Expert”: http://wwww.anniejenningspr.com/experts.htm
TIP #1 Don’t Try to Change the Segment or Story IdeaDuring the pre-interview with the producer or journalist, please do not attempt to influence the producer or journalist to slant or change the original segment idea. This is because the article, story or segment idea is most likely already set in stone by Managing Editors or Executive Producers and your media contact has very little flexibility. They are assigned to develop a story or segment idea according to a specific set of directives and appreciate your support in moving the story or segment forward. Always give the media the info they are looking for first so they can complete their assignment otherwise, they might decide to move on to another expert. If you do a great job for them, that is, you are on target and on message without meandering off topic or discussing topics that fall outside the scope of the placement, they will use you again.
Of course, if they ask you about other ideas you may have, feel free to give them your best stuff!
To read the rest of this chapter and others, visit: GET MEDIA SAVVY and download Your FREE Copy today!
May 6th, 2008
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Ten Tips for Getting on Radio By Catherine Franz
You’re on the air! Getting on the radio is easier than you think - no matter what you’re marketing - includes related article on radio broadcast resourcesHome Office Computing, June, 1993 by Donna Partow Fifteen minutes on the radio revolutionized my business,” says Rhonda Kanning-Anderson of St, Cloud,
Minnesota, founder of Creative Memories, a scrapbook marketing company. Kanning-Anderson is referring to her appearance on “Focus on the Family,” the second-largest nationally syndicated radio show in
America, with several million listeners.
“I knew the show reached my target audience–homemakers. So I hoped to generate interest in my educational teaching program,” she recalls. “It took five months of letters and phone calls–and a personal visit to the show’s producer in
California–before I finally got on the program.” Her efforts were well rewarded. “As a direct result of the program, we received more than 7,000 calls and recruited 600 women to teach our program.”
THEY’RE LOOKING FOR YOU Radio talk shows present an excellent opportunity for you to promote your home-based business, whether you market a product or serve as a consultant. It’s said that there are nearly 1,000 radio talk shows in
America. Let’s say that each requires an average of three guests per day. Why, that’s about 20,000 guests per week and one million guests per year. Although “Larry King Live” probably won’t invite you to talk, you can still make the airwaves into an effective marketing tool.
AdvertisementIn many markets, the demand for guests far outstrips the supply of people with an enticing message. Kay Lindley is the producer of “Parent Talk,” a nationally syndicated call-in show, cohosted by Dr. Kevin Leman, author of The Birth Order Book. Lindley says, “Like most talk-show producers, I’m always looking for good guests. I’ve got to fill an hour of airtime every day, six days a week. If a home-based entrepreneur has a program idea that suits my audience, I want to hear about it.” Al Parinello, author of On the Air: How to Get on Radio and TV Talk Shows and What to Do When You Get There, claims most producers agree with Lindley. “The only way to keep a program alive is with fresh ideas. No one can come up with a fresh idea every day without help,” he says. He believes virtually anyone can book a radio appearance– especially on local stations–if you know how to go about it.
To read the other nine tips visit: GET MEDIA SAVVY and download Your FREE Copy today!
April 12th, 2008
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Tips to Make the Most of Your Media Relations Efforts
By Nancy S. Juetten
Excerpt from GET MEDIA SAVVY!
The value of your company’s brand and reputation can grow as a result of favorable media coverage captured over time. However, securing good coverage can prove challenging if you don’t know how to work with the media. To pack a punch into your media relations results, consider these tips. If you want the media to take interest in your business success story, take interest in the media. Writers and editors want to be first with news and great stories. They review mounds of mail, e-mail, and faxes each day. In addition, they scan competitive media and wire service stories to select news to share.
With all this competition, how can you make sure your story gets the attention it deserves? Monitor the media outlets that you think are right for your story. Read the stories of reporters who cover your industry. Most importantly, take time to prepare concise, clear and compelling pitches that show why your story is timely, newsworthy, and relevant. Have some fun, be creative in your approach, and give the reporters something they won’t find elsewhere. Many factors determine whether or not your story captures the coverage. These two questions top the list: ~ Does your story fit within the coverage area and editorial profile and plans of each particular media outlet? ~ What else is making news today?
To read the rest of the chapter and others, visit: GET MEDIA SAVVY and download Your FREE Copy today!
March 17th, 2008
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How Blogging Can Help You Get Media Attention
By Lori Prokop
Excerpt from GET MEDIA SAVVY eBook:
· How important are blogs to the media?
· Why do you need a high traffic blog?
· Why are blogs so effective?
· Why does mainstream media listens to blogs?
· 4 steps to fast track your promotion using a high traffic blog
· 3 secrets of successful, attention-getting blogs
· 5 powerful blog techniques to get media attention
· How to create a high traffic blog the media loves…
These are the things you will learn in this chapter… and more!
How Important are Blogs to the Media? Columbia University published the results of its recent survey of 1,202 journalists and producers working at newspapers, magazines, online publications, wire services, television and radio outlets across the U.S. The study revealed that 79% of journalists and producers use blogs daily for their reporting duties. Journalists and producers use blogs for:
· Finding story ideas 53% of the time
· Researching and referencing facts 43% of the time
· Finding sources and guests 36% In addition, 68% of journalists and producers believe blogs are becoming a more powerful tool for corporations and businesses seeking to inform consumers.
To read the rest of the chapter and others, visit: GET MEDIA SAVVY and download Your FREE Copy today!
March 10th, 2008
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How to Hire a Publicity Coach By Shannon Cherry
An excerpt from GET MEDIA SAVVY - The Ultimate eGuide to Promote Your Products, Services and Ideas to the World!
As a profession, coaching is quite young, but it’s growing quickly. And one of the newest coaching options is to be coached on how to do your own publicity to build your business.However in any fast growing profession there are challenges. One challenge professional coaching faces is the large number of people jumping on the bandwagon and calling themselves coaches without formal training or relevant experience. So how do you find a publicity coach thatc an help you succeed? Follow these tips.· Talk to several coaches and find one you have a rapport with. Does the coach listen well? Do you feel they clearly understand what you want to achieve through the coaching? · Find out if your coach knows publicity inside and out. Have they done this for a living previously, or are they someone who learned it as they went along? What credentials do they have to teach it to you?To read the rest of the chapter and others, visit: GET MEDIA SAVVY and download Your FREE Copy today!
March 3rd, 2008
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Create Your Media Bio for Publicity By National Publicist, Annie Jennings of Annie Jennings PR
An excerpt from GET MEDIA SAVVY - The Ultimate eGuide to Promote Your Products, Services and Ideas to the World!
Create A BIO That Tells The Media What They Need To Know In A Nutshell & Learn What Does Not Belong In Your Media Bio
Follow these simple steps to creating a powerful media bio designed to get you booked on the media of your dreams. Annie Jennings PR is a major provider of experts to the media and the PR visionary who has led the industry to all new levels of performance.
1. Your bio should always begin with your credentials, academic achievements, professional and academic affiliations.
2. If you are the author of books, papers, and/or studies note those next along with the names of the papers and studies and where they appear etc so the media can document them.
3. List your areas of expertise.
4. List the years you have been active in these areas and your fields.
5. List any involvement in any association, achievements or awards you have received in your field.
To read the rest of this chapter and others, visit: GET MEDIA SAVVY and download Your FREE Copy today!
February 28th, 2008
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How to Create a Press Kit That Attracts Positive Media Attention
By Dina Giolitto
An excerpt from GET MEDIA SAVVY - The Ultimate eGuide to Promote Your Products, Services and Ideas to the World!
Do you promote your business via press releases that you submit on the Web and/or to newspapers? Then you should ideally have a company press kit. A press kit is, in essence, a media-ready promotional package. Your press kit should be as professional-sounding as possible, and accessible via PDF download format from the PRESS or MEDIA page of your Web site.The purpose of a company press kit:
- Provide basic information about your company such as key contact names and address details.
- Communicate the company mission and philosophy.
- Describe the key market you’re targeting.
- Detail the biographies of company principles.
- Share company news.
- Include high resolution photos of key people, logos and products.
Having a press kit on your site makes it easier for members of the media who spot your name out there to grab what they need quickly. For example, let’s say someone comes by and decides to run your story. If for some reason they can’t locate the short version of your company bio or your photo, they should be able to access these in your company press release with no problem. Should they have a question, the press kit will tell them exactly who to contact for answers.
To read the rest of the chapter and others, visit: GET MEDIA SAVVY and download Your FREE Copy today!
February 23rd, 2008
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You have been identified as an “expert” or resource for a story idea or topic a reporter is working on. And they pick up the phone, give you a call and want to interview you! Here are five things you can do to prepare yourself:
1. Ask for more information - Before the interview, ask the reporter to give you an overview of the questions he or she will ask. This let’s the reporter know you are interested in addressing the areas the reporter needs more information on, and that you are the right person support specific points he or she may want to make.
2. Find out who else is being interviewed. Then you can assess whether you are being called on to support — or disagree with — information from another source.
3. Create a list of possible questions a reporter might ask regarding your area of expertise. Write down your answers and practice what you’re going to say so that when the interview opportunities come up, you will project a voice of authority on the topic. Keep in mind your key message points and make sure you weave them into your answers.
4. Be concise and consistent in your responses. If you do change your position on a topic, be sure and le the reporter know why you have done so. Practice talking in bullet points. It will make it easier for the reporter to accurately record your responses. Give details only when asked for more information. Should more information be needed, the reporter will ask for more details.
5. Don’t speak in company jargon. Oftentimes the reporter will not be familiar with those terms (acronyms are the worst) and your story could end up in a trash heap instead of on top of the pile, ready to be published.
6. If you don’t know the answer, say so. Tell the reporter you will be happy to do some research and get back to her; this suggests to the reporter that you are willing to be a resource and also helps build rapport with her or him.
7. End the interview on a positive note. Even if the subject is heavy or really serious, ending on a positive note may be the first thing the reporter remembers when she writes the story and the last thing the reader remembers when your story is shared.
For more great advice on working with the media, check out our Media and Public Relations Audio Program at: http://www.womensmediasummit.com/audio-recordings-on-sale-now/.
January 8th, 2008
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Finding and interviewing experts who support your message or enhance your brand can also get publicity for your company or organization! That is, when you choose the RIGHT Experts to interview and the RIGHT Topic to cover.
What do I mean by that?
The right expert will help draw attention to your company or cause because she or he will already have a following of their own, as well as a good reputation. Remember the saying “reputation by association?” In this case it couldn’t be more true. Because if you have a good reputation, it will be easier to enlist the help of those with whom you connect and enlist to be interviewed. In addition to a good reputation, she or he will also have a loyal following of her or his own. In additon, the right expert will have name recognition with the media which helps to get the media’s attention.
The right topic means one that is timely, of interest to a specific group of people and worth the media’s time in seeking out.
How will you know when and how to find the right expert? Do what I do. Surf the internet. Read magazines in the topic area you are interested in pursuing. Ask for referrals both online and offline. When you find the right expert(s) contact them. Start by asking for an interview. I can tell you in the four+ years I have been interviewing experts only a handful have turned me down. And it is almost always because she or he does not have the time. Most of whom, invite me to contact them again in the future. Only twice in the hundreds of times I have contacted people has the person said, “no, your audience is not my target audience.” I respect that.
Which brings me to another point. If you do your homework, the right expert is right for your organization and your organization is right for her. It must be a win-win for both parties as well as whomever would benefit from reading, hearing or seeing the interview once been produced. I have made the mistake of contacting women (and men) who were totally wrong for my audience and once we had the opportunity to chat, it became clear.
Here are a few other tips when looking for experts:
When you are not absolutely 100% sure the interviewee would be perfect for your audience and your message, do a pre-interview. Make time to spend a few moments to get to know the person you are going to interview and it will soon become apparent if the “fit is in.”
Start at the top! Don’t be afraid to contact someone just because you think she or he is “out of your league.” When I first started looking for women to interview I connected with women who I really didn’t think would respond, let alone say “yes.” And surprisingly, most of them have been gracious and generous with their time and talent.
Make more than one contact. Especially when it comes to email. On more than one ocassion, my guest experts have thanked me for taking time to follow up on the initial contact, because they had lost track of the original message.
Next! Although I am a strong proponet of the “never give up” theory, I also know that spending valuable time pursuing one person can mean the difference between the “next right expert” being unavailable because I didn’t contact her sooner. You have to decide when to move on.
Contact the Media. Once you find the RIGHT Expert, start making contacts with the media to let them know about the interview. This could be in the form of an email (if you know that’s the way your media connections wish to be contacted). Send a media release to them and to any organizations or companies that would also be interested in reading, listening to or watching this interview.
Here are some resources you can use to find experts:
ExpertClick.com
National Speakers Association
Experts.com
December 11th, 2007
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