It has been a while since I posted anything on Women’s Media Pages and I thought it would be a good idea to share my top ten Media and Publicity Articles for the Week.

They include tips for free publicity, how to strike it rich with publicity, how to create a media relations strategy, word of mouth publicity, leveraging the power of publicity, and tools for publicity success.  And more!

Check them out today!

8 Tips for Fast and Free Publicity by  Melanie Rembrandt

GETTING FREE PUBLICITY!

How To Strike It Rich Using Publicity Strategies & Success Principles

by Annie Jennings

How to Use Articles to Create Publicity For Your Business by Lisa Mason

Connecting with Bloggers as a Media Relations Strategy by Drew Gerber

I Can?t Afford a Publicity/Public Relations Campaign — Can I? by TODD BRABENDER

Crash Course In Creating An Online Media Room For Outstanding Publicity And Promotion by Annie Jennings

Word of Mouth Publicity by Sue Currie

How To Think Like A Publicist To Achieve Like A Star Anne Marie Baugh

Meeting the Press: Effective Media Relations by Linda Pophal

Leverage the Power of Publicity for Your Small Business by Isabel M. Isidro

SUPERCHARGED PUBLICITY – 21ST CENTURY PUBLIC RELATIONS TOOLS Bruce Prokopets

If you have not done so, be sure to check out GET MEDIA SAVVY! – The Woman’s eGuide to Promote Your Products, Services and Ideas To the World by Shannon Cherry, Rhonda Day, Catherine Franz, Dina Giolitto, Paul Hartunian, Penny Haynes, Michelle Howe, Annie Jennings, Nancy S. Juetten, Meredith Pond, Lori Prokop, Heidi Richards and Rosalind Sedacca.

Excerpt from the book: “Before you even begin to think about contacting the media, you need to know what it is you want to gain from the connection. Once you’ve decided your goals, laid out your strategy and started making your list of which media you want to get attention from, then it will be easier to start building those valuable relationships!  Once the media gets to know about you, your brand and what you stand for, the more better your chances of being showcased to their audience.” GET Media Savvy will help you get the EXPOSURE you deserve!

ENJOY!

How To Get Yourself and Your Business Mentioned By A Reporter by Bonnie Boots

Can you imagine what it would do for your business if you were mentioned in a newspaper or magazine article or even a book?

You can’t buy that kind of publicity. It only comes by chance, when a reporter calls and asks you for a quote. But there are ways of vastly increasing your chances, and they’re all online.

When I was working in print journalism, one of my biggest challenges was finding relevant people I could quote. By relevant, I mean people that had actually expertise or personal experience in the topic I was writing about.

For example, in writing a lengthy report on the challenge of providing adequate mental health care, I had to be able to quote people on both sides of the story, people dealing personally with mental health issues as well as those involved in providing mental health services.

It’s not easy to get people on either side to speak out publicly. People working for government-funded services can be fired for making statements that haven’t been approved by their supervisors. And because there’s still a stigma attached to mental illness, people with mental health issues in their family often keep it very private.

I spent many hours hitting the streets and working the phone to come up with enough people to quote for that feature article. Every reporter goes through this. And every reporter has seen a story they really want to write slip through their fingers because they can’t find appropriate people willing to be quoted.

Reporters need people to quote. And you know what they say about business…find a need and fill it!

So imagine if you were the person who provided a reporter with the quotes they need? Imagine if you were the one getting written up in the New York Times, or even your local newspaper.

You can do more than imagine it. You can make it happen. The easiest way to start is by subscribing to a service called Reporter’s Source at http://www.reporterssource.com/

Reporter’s Source describes itself as “a free service linking journalists and other members of the media with businesses and individuals.”

Reporters looking for people to interview fill out a form describing their intended story and exactly the kind of people they are looking for. People interested in being a source for a reporter can register for the daily newsletter. Every day it arrives with a list of requests from reporters and writers.

If you have information or experience that’s pertinent to their story, you can send a brief synopsis of information that Reporter’s Source will forward to the journalist. If the writer uses you, the result can be big publicity for your business or self.

On any given day, the requests from reporters and writers can range from parents of grad students willing to talk about the parent/almost-adult child dynamic, to experts on the health insurance industry.

If you are chosen for an interview, never ask a reporter to mention anything in particular about yourself or your business. For example, it’s highly inappropriate to ask a reporter if they’ll put in a plug for your web site. Reporters are in the business of writing reports, not your publicity. Don’t tick them off by asking.

But do be aware that reporters are looking for one thing–good story material. The more you tell them about yourself and your business, and the more you can tell it in such a way that it relates to the story being written, the more likely the reporter is to use your information.

For example, if you’re being interviewed for a report on people working from home, you’d naturally want to mention that working on the internet allows you to do business around the world, while sitting at a laptop in your living room.

Mention that you have the freedom to work in jeans and baggy t-shirts, to work any hours you choose, and to automate large portions of your business, and you’ll wind up making your web site an interesting and important part of the reporter’s story.
If you’re seeking free publicity, remember that reporters are seeking you!
About the Author
Bonnie Boots is the publisher/editor of The Internet Wizards Magazine for people who want to create their own products and market on the internet. Register for your free 1-year subscription at http://www.theinternetwizards.com

So, you’ve researched your target media outlet, know it reaches your target audience, have a great news angle, have written a great media release – now what? It’s time to pitch it to the journalist! This shouldn’t not be an intimidating exercise, especially if you’re done the leg work and are armed with all the right materials. Here’s a step by step guide to help you get your pitch across the line.

1. Send an email first. Many media outlets prefer to be sent an email in the first instance, rather than receive a cold call. It is important you have the direct email of the person you are trying to contact, rather than the generic email address you might find on the outlet’s contact page on their web site (forget ‘editorial@theherald.com’ for example, as that can be just like sending a letter to a big corporation addressed ‘to whom it may concern’).

2. Personalise your email. (‘Dear Jane,’ rather than ‘to whom it make concern’, or worse, nothing at all). Include your well-written media release headline in the subject heading of the email.

3. Introduce the story. In the body of the email, write a snappy sentence about your story angle, where it fits into the media outlet (such as the new product section), basic details about the product, and a call to action for the journalist (would the journalist like a sample, or set up a time for an interview?).

4. Include your media release. Follow the introduction with the text of your media release, copied into the body of the email. Never send a media release as an attachment as they won’t be opened. In fact, many media organisations have computer firewalls that prevent attachments from being received.

5. Keep a database of journalists you have emailed to ensure timely follow up.

6. Consider deadlines and lead times when pitching a story. If you’re pitching a story about a Valentine’s Day product to a monthly magazine, remember they work around three months ahead, so unless your story angle is with them by November or December the year before, you won’t have a chance. Obviously daily newspapers, TV stations, web sites and radio outlets have shorter lead times, but always aim to give an outlet at least two weeks notice for product launches and the like.

7. Time to respond. Give a journalist a day or two to respond to your email. If you don’t hear anything, follow up with a phone call.

8. Stay professional and have a can-do attitude. Before making the call, make sure you have a professional attitude that is centred on helping the journalist. It is important to treat them as you would your very best customer. It’s also important to always be on hand to provide additional information as soon as it’s requested. It may be the case that the journalist has left the story to the last minute and if you’re not available to help meet the deadline, they will simply find someone else who can.

9. What to say. When calling a journalist, introduce yourself, advise that you sent an email and are following up. Be sure you know your angle, have plenty of back up information and have images to provide (or be available for photographs to be taken of you).

10. Consider your timing. Think about if it’s a convenient time for a journalist to take your call. A major pitfall is calling right on deadline – you can expect zero response if you pick the wrong time. For example, it’s never wise to contact a radio newsroom in the last 10 minutes before each hour as the news bulletin approaches.

11. Develop an ongoing relationship. Once you’ve made a media contact, it’s important to keep the flow of information and communication going. It doesn’t mean hounding the journalist every day, but simply keeping them regularly informed about product updates and developments. This may be as simple as sending a monthly media release or asking a journalist if they would like to be added to your database to receive a regular e-newsletter.

For more detail on how to generate free publicity, there are plenty of articles relating to this at HomeBizChicks.com including:

How to Write a Media Release

A Do it Yourself PR Starter Kit

How to Pitch Your Story to the Media

And more!

© 2009 Home Biz Chicks ~ Online entrepreneur Sue Papadoulis publishes the popular e-newsletter Smart Biz Chicks. If you’re ready to jump-start your home business to make more money and have more fun and free time, get your FREE tips and FREE report “How to Generate Free Publicity for Your Home-Based Business” now at www.homebizchicks.com.

When you think of public relations, the first thing that comes to mind is a press release. A press release is, and will always remain to be an important tool for reaching the media and getting the word out about your business.”

But there are other ways to tap the media, and here are some strategies you can use for your business:

• Bullet articles
• Talk radio
• Article Reprint
• Market Studies “ (note: check out the Women Business Owners Survey results to see a study done by the Women’sCommerce Association)

To read the article by Isabel M. Isidro at Power Home Biz, visit: http://www.powerhomebiz.com/blog/2008/01/public-relation-pr-tools-for-your.html

Check out Media Marvel for a list of Media featuring Red Hot News: http://www.mediamarvel.com/

And for some great all around Media Ideas download your free copy of GET Media Savvy.

Here’s what one reader had to say about GET Media Savvy:

When I first started reading, “Get Media Savvy”,  I quickly recognized the table of contents even got my attention. Then I began to read the pages and almost on every page, I learned something new about media, pr or marketing. This guide is full of great tips, strategies and techniques to help any business owner “get media savvy”. Teresa Morrow, Owner of KeyBusiness Partners http://www.keybusinesspartners.com Virtual Assistance & Online Promotion for Coaches, Speakers & Writers.

Did you know that February 1- 7 is Publicity for Profit Week? “ There’s a fairly well-kept secret among top PR agencies and major corporations. What’s the secret? Most newspapers, and many other types of media outlets, are understaffed and often have significant editorial gaps to fill. They rely on free outside copy that arrives in the form of “mat” releases, articles that are prewritten and ready for publication. You can take advantage of those gaps by writing articles and sending them to your local editorial staff (the one that would most likely handle your topic area).  Be sure to include your byline (signature file) who knows, they may use it and it could potentially generate dozens of leads–or more.  Make sure the article is filled with quality content, not just a self-promotion piece.

Here are ten tips to help you turn frustration into satisfaction and raise your chances of getting the media coverage you work so hard to get:

About The Millionaire Maker:
Born and raised on a farm in Nebraska, Loral Langemeier did not start out in life with money or connections. Loral, a master coach and financial strategist, built her first business in high school, and by the time she was 34, she’d established a multi-million-dollar portfolio of properties, businesses, gas/oil and notes.Recognized by her peers for her personal commitment to helping people create unimaginable success, and acknowledged by thousands of clients for the substance, insight and applicable value her programs provide, Loral Langemeier has emerged as one of the most successful business and motivational speakers to hit the lecture platform.

Thousands of people have already used Loral’s programs to achieve significant wealth – and hundreds have become millionaires in 3 – 5 years. Loral will talk about building a wealth team, how to work with a wealth coach and more.

In this session ~ Building, Leading & Protecting Your Business Loral will also share the 7-step process that will accelerate your business and position it as an asset in your wealth building plan that is outlined in her new book, Building, Leading & Protecting Your business. You will learn revenue modeling, sales marketing strategies, and tips to protect your business assets by the Millionaire Maker.  Loral will share her straightforward, strategic approach to creating wealth and generating cash through a virtuous cycle of assets and income”  and how can we use them to build financial freedom known as the  Wealth Cycle™ Process,  and much more!

Do you want to achieve business growth and peace of mind? Do you want to build your own EMPIRE locally or globally?

Some of the largest companies in the world today started as small one-person businesses in their home office, garage or the back room of another business.  When you join us for the Grow a Million Dollar Business Summit you have the chance to meet and learn from some of the leading experts on wealth creation and management to get YOUR BUSINESS on the path to building a million-dollar enterprise. You can attend Loral’s session as well as 14 other wealth building experts when you register for “How to Grow a Million Dollar Business.”  

Read about the Speakers, learn more about the Program Topics and REGISTER for the event.  Your investment for this 3+ day event is only $77 when you register before September 15^th. (Save $20!).  After September 15^th price will be $97.  To see all the fabulous give-aways and to sign up, visit our registration page at http://wherewomenprosper.wordpress.com/register/. Turn the tides on the slump in our economy by investing in your business.  

Register for the Grow a Million Dollar Business Summit Today

Our Mission is to “Empower You to Achieve and Exceed Your Financial Goals” Looking forward to seeing you there,

Heidi

Heidi Richards Mooney, Founder ~ Where Women Prosper

As a business owner, you probably know that publicity is important to your success. But many businesses (and maybe you’re one of them) make crucial mistakes in their publicity campaigns. While some of the mistakes are more detrimental than others, the actual costs can be staggering.

For example, saying the wrong thing to a reporter may only cost you a quote in a national magazine. But in advertising dollars, that quote could have been worth hundreds. And you never really know who would have read the interview. Maybe a reporter for USA Today or maybe Oprah’s producer (or maybe even Oprah herself). Plus, what about all the time, money, and effort you spent in getting that reporter on the phone? It’s true; everyone makes mistakes. By being aware of the more common ones, at least you can take action to avoid them.

If you want to make the most of every publicity opportunity that comes your way, consider the following mistakes that businesses commonly make in their publicity campaigns:

1.    Thinking hundreds of customers will walk through their door from one hit: Fame and name recognition take time and repetition to build. In fact, a person will need to see your name and logo around six or seven times before they actually remember it. So regardless of what you’ve heard, there’s no such thing as an overnight success.

2.    Not being unique in their approach: No one wants to hear the same old message over and over again. So develop a hook, or unique angle that sets your business apart from others. For example, if you own a restaurant, consider what’s unique about it. What’s unique about your menu? Has the restaurant been family-owned and operated for generations? Do you offer vegetarian cuisine? The more you can make your message unique or different from the “old way,” the more attention you’ll attract.

3.    Thinking they can’t get into a large publication: Many small business owners feel intimidated by the big name publications. They envision high-powered magazine editors schmoozing with big company CEOs and lining up interviews with well-known figureheads for the next six months. In reality, editors scramble daily to find people to interview who have knowledge on the latest trends and topics.  

To read the other 12 mistakes, visit http://www.myarticlearchive.com/articles/7/085.htm

Pam Lontos is owner of PR/PR, a public relations firm that specializes in professional speakers and authors. Having been an author, speaker, and former VP of Disney’s Shamrock Broadcasting, she knows the ropes of getting good you publicity and how to use it to really boost your business. Call for a free consultation at 407-299-6128, and sign up for a free publicity tips e-newsletter at www.prpr.net.

 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.

   New Media: How to Do More With Less  

Lindsay Wray of the International Women’s Media Foundation wrote a great article based on a workshop conducted by Merrill Brown, founder and principal of MMB Media LLC and Janice Castro during the 2007 International Women’s Media Foundation U.S. Leadership Institute  Here are some highlights: Tips for Surviving and Thriving With New Media~ Multi-task – Think across platforms; for instance, learn to take video while conducting an interview for a print article.~ Think about products – Develop ideas for ways your newsroom can use new media. ~ Don’t be afraid to mix sales and editorial – Editors and producers shouldn’t shy away from thinking about revenue opportunities, even if a new idea for a product involves other departments.

~ Embrace new technology – Boggled by blogs? Create one, and try it out.

~ Market yourself – Let other people know what kinds of technology you’re experimenting with.
 

Read the full article here: http://www.iwmf.org/features/10421
 

For more information on the next leadership institute, visit www.iwmf.org/programs/leadership.