Get the Word Out!
Once you do your research and contact media members with targeted pitches, there are several other things you can do to build buzz about your business.
As Step 7 in our “7 Steps to Successful Public Relations” at http://www.startupnation.com/steps/77/3856/1/1/public-relations-action-plan.htm states, it’s time to get the word out!
Here are some additional activities to add to your PR agenda:
Offer Current Information.
Add current information about your business products, services and leaders to your Web site on a regular basis. Review it often and make sure it lists your company’s newest information.
You want site visitors, and the media, to know that you are aware of current industry trends and news and that your company is active. Plus, you want to convey a feeling of credibility and expertise to new visitors and regular customers.
Network.
Attend pertinent club meetings, events and presentations in your local area. Tell people about your products and services, and share your passion for your business.
Volunteer to speak about your industry at various organizational functions. Not only will you get in front of your target audience, but you may be quoted as a speaker in a local paper.
Reporters usually cover important community events so if you are a part of the activities, you significantly increase your chances of getting some free publicity. And even if press members do not attend, you will build some valuable, business-relationships in this networking process.
Offer News.
Send out press releases and announcements on a monthly basis with your current contact information. This will help to remind key audiences and media members that you are still doing business and have great news, information and success-stories to share.
Be Available.
Make it as easy as possible for media members to know the products, services and expertise you have to offer. And provide current contact-information so that they know how to get in touch with you at deadline time.
Keep Your Eyes Open.
As your business grows, regularly look for good customer case studies, innovations, financial and employee growth-stories, and unique information that you can turn into a new story, event or announcement.
If you follow these guidelines, you will start hearing from the press. Be sure to respond to their requests quickly and provide appropriate photos, documents and information when requested. Then, you’ll need to wait.
And please don’t get discouraged if your quote or business-mention is cut from a story. Due to late-breaking news, length, editorial changes, or other situations out of your control, this is just part of the publicity process. But if your story is published, be sure to send a thank you to the reporter to help build your relationship.
If you take the time to conduct the appropriate research and make the effort to reach out to the right people with the right messages, soon you will see the “power of PR” work for your business!
Do you have questions about using public relations, SEO copywriting and marketing to boost sales for your business? Please write to me here or at www.rembrandtwrites.com. I’m here to help!
March 7th, 2010 at 9:12 am
this is just part of the publicity process. But if your story is published, be sure to send a thank you to the reporter to help build your relationship
March 7th, 2010 at 1:11 pm
If I may also add a couple that we have talked about on my show:
1. Connect with relevant reporters on Twitter. Many journalists are on there.
2. Learn to sell yourself “around your product.” Meaning lets say you sell soap. That is probably not interesting. But if you are a cleanliness expert who happens to also sell soap, you will be more appealing in the eyes of the media.
March 7th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Thanks David. Both good points. It’s also a good idea to look at all social media venues - blogging, Twitter, facebook, YouTube - It just depends on what your target market uses.
And it’s wise to take advantage of SEO copywriting to get the most out of all your content and build awareness online.
Thanks,
Melanie Rembrandt, rembrandtwrites.com