How to Get Free Publicity

If you want to boost sales, awareness and credibility at no cost, try using the “power of the press.” Via my various blog entries and articles on this site and my personal blog here, I’ve provided a lot of free information and websites to help you contact media members. But if you don’t know how to pitch a reporter once you get through, here are some quick tips to help you through the media process:

1. Know Your Targeted Media Members.

Before you even reach out to a reporter, you should know what that person writes about and what he or she will be interested in discussing. Do your homework before contacting a specific reporter, and you’ll have a much better understanding of what you should say (and the topics you should avoid).

2. Have Talking Points Ready.

With point #1 in mind above, write down all of the benefits your business has to offer. Know why a reporter will be interested in what you have to say and practice giving your unique story angle. Then, when the time is right, you’ll be ready. (You may even want to have your talking points written on an index card by your phone.)

3. Be Newsworthy.

Try to think of a way that your business fits in with current news and industry events. Develop a story angle related to something newsworthy and current. Then, approach a reporter with your idea.

4. Be Unique.

Media members want fresh, interesting stories. Try to stand out from the crowd and offer your opinion about a current topic, a unique statistic or research result or a story angle that no one else can offer. By conducting some research and offering something different, you’ll get much farther with your publicity efforts.

5. Be Succinct.

Reporters are on deadline. Get to the point fast. Practice what you are going to say in advance. Then, speak clearly and succinctly. Mention the most important benefits of your story angle first. Reporters will appreciate your sense of urgency and respect for their timelines.

6. Know Your Industry.

Become an expert in your field and know the most current news, events and activities within your industry. Share your news with reporters. And soon, they will come to you for the latest industry updates.

7. Offer Expert Advice.

Without pitching your own products and services, introduce yourself as an expert to a targeted media member. Comment on a current news item, provide a special report and offer your help with a future article. Reporters will appreciate the fact that you are willing to provide assistance and may add you to their list of resources.

8. Follow-up Accordingly.

Media members are busy people, and you will probably need to make an effort to stay in touch with them. If you are waiting for a pending story or a call back and haven’t heard anything for a few days, feel free to contact the media member directly. Don’t be a pest but conduct the appropriate follow-up when necessary. This is essential to obtaining schedule media clips and maintaining media relationships.

Hopefully, these tips will help you pitch your story to media members and get results. By “thinking like a reporter” and offering beneficial information in a timely fashion, you’ll definitely increase your chances of obtaining good media coverage.

By Melanie Rembrandt