Boost Your Profile & Your Profits

Short of Making a Sex Tape, There Has to Be a Better Way to Get into the Media, Right!?

The media is a tricky game to play but when you understand that it is only a game, it makes playing it so much easier.

As we know, there have been many a Hollywood celebrity's career take off after their sex tape was revealed to the public, Paris Hilton comes to mind. But does that mean that 'you' have to record one to be featured in the media?

I hope not! No offence but I don't want to see you naked!

You see, I love media. Okay, that's totally understating it.

I really love it. I love the game that has to be played to successfully be featured on radio, television or in print. But I have to admit, there is one thing that really frustrates me and that's when professionals bitch and moan saying that they sent one press release and didn't get a response.

The fact of the matter is that most editors and journalists receive over 100 emails per day from people and businesses sending press releases and promoting themselves. If you only send one release the likelihood of it being noticed is minimal. It takes persistence, patience and sometimes added little tricks.

So without further a do, here they are.

1.     The title of your release is incredibly important, use inspiring and intriguing words such as innovation or advanced technologies to spark their interest

2.     Use the word Media Release rather than Press release when sending through to agencies

3.     When pitching – get your main point of difference across in the first sentence to incite interest

4.     Create opinion pieces that are within your field of expertise that position yourself as an expert

5.     Visual imagery is important, provide the media with visual images that can be attached to a possible media story to complete the picture

6.     When sending via email, the subject line needs to be catchy and lively, spend extra time creating them. Don't just go with the first one you create. Write 10 or more and go through the list to see which one jumps out the most.

7.     Using stats adds value and credibility to your release i.e. comment on a particular study that has been conducted by a university.

8.     Stay local – if you can make your business relevant to a local event , business or charity it is a whole lot more newsworthy

9.     When sending a media release add a photo to accompany your release, most agencies appreciate this and can visualise what you are saying.

10. Follow Up – really important to follow up with a phone call the day after you have sent the media release to all the agencies…discuss ideas on how they can use it etc..

Bonus Tip: Don't make it about you or your business. The media print stories they don't print advertisements. If your releases aren't getting accepted it is most likely that it either isn't interesting enough or it wreaks of self promotion. Feature client stories that relate to your business but not your business itself. That will get exposure by default.

Before you send out your next release go through the checklist and tick off each tip. I guarantee you it will improve your chances of success.

If that doesn't work, maybe it is time to take some tips from Paris Hilton!


Ben’s book “Sleeping Your Way to The Top in Business” is available for purchase by clicking here. For media, consulting and speaking enquiries contact Ben directly at ben@benangel.com.au

Posted by Ben Angel, conference speakers on 26th February, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks
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