Social Media Strategist
When it comes to your business, befriending the media can have a huge impact on your growth. The term “media” is quite large, and it covers the various types of communication that reach or influence people. This can take the form of the internet, radio, television, newspapers, magazines, podcasts, and more. The following are some tips on how to befriend the media, and how this can help your business.
You will want to start building relationships with people that are associated with various types of media. You can use a program such as Excel or Access to organize a list of website owners, bloggers, podcasters, writers, local news anchors, local radio deejays, etc. Collect all the relevant information you will need to communicate with them, such as their names, titles, email addresses, the types of stories that they usually cover, etc.
When you send a press release, be clear, concise and to the point. Keep your press release to a maximum of two pages. Make sure you include your contact information, as well as information on how your product or service will help your target market.
Create a publicity campaign for your business. Don’t just send out one press release and wait for people to come to you. Instead, send out a press release to several media outlets once per week. The more media outlets that know about your business, the higher your chances are for receiving publicity.
You may follow-up with the people you have submitted press releases to, but don’t harass them or contact them too soon. They are busy and receive press releases on a daily basis. Give them a chance to look at yours and decide if it is something their viewers, listeners, or readers would be interested in.
When someone from the media calls you, be upbeat, enthusiastic, and honest. Have your information ready because they don’t want to wait for you to call them back with your answers.
Instead of just trying to “plug” your business, establish yourself as an expert in your field. When the media needs someone to comment on a news item that relates to your type of business, they may call on you. Your business may not be the focus of the interview, but your information will be displayed for the public to see, hear, or read.
In exchange for the media promoting you, offer to promote the media. Of course, national news and radio programs, huge newspapers, etc. may not need your promotional services, but smaller media outlets do. Let them know that if someone features you on their website, in their blog, or through their podcast, you will send a link to the information to your mailing list.
Once you have established a few contacts in various media outlets, stay friendly with them and let them know when something new is happening with your business.
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