Your Media Moment & Beyond! Expert Tips for DIY Publicity

Writing Copy to Motivate

                                                        

Let's face it.  The Internet has made millions of us online content producers, whether we like creating media or not.  For some people, it's a chore, perhaps a new job requirement while others have found content creation an exciting new creative outlet.  Either way, the ability to express yourself well is a valuable skill that can build online visibility and credibility.   

Chris Knight at EzineArticles.com put out a template on his blog last week to help writers use motivational triggers in their articles.  It's a great technique that can also help you prepare for on-air media interviews and structure the messages in short persuasive online videos. 

Get it here:Motivational Triggers Template

Good copy engages the mind and the heart and encourages the reader to take action. Plus knowing how good copy is structured can improve the effectiveness of your speeches, presentations, and even everyday conversations.  

What are your thoughts?

Want Publicity? Start a Relationship!

We're beginning the work week with a terrific guest post from Publicity Pro and Storyteller to the Media, Michelle Tennant. 

    

A Love Potion for Media Attraction

By Michelle Tennant

 

 

I’ve worked at building relationships with the media for more than 20 years and over that time I’ve come to realize there are no shortcuts. What works with journalists are the same basic rules we all learned in kindergarten.

 

To open the media floodgates and become a sought-after expert, follow those same rules for building relationships. Here are a few simple tips to get you started:

 

• Make media friends — Connect with reporters and the media via free websites such as www.usnpl.com.

 

• Know what you’re talking about — Pitch responses that relate to your area of expertise. You’d think this was obvious, but it bears repeating. Stick close to home when pitching and your credibility will shine through.

 

• Early bird gets the worm — When the media contacts you, get back to them ASAP! Make it a high priority and never take more than 24 hours. Even on weekends.

 

• Pay attention — To be a great interview, you need to be a great listener. When talking to journalists, listen closely to what they’re saying and what they’re asking. Don’t force your agenda. Allow things to develop organically.

 

• Be helpful — Send journalists articles, stats and research to help them with their story. You’re the expert and you’ve done a lot of research in your field. Share relevant information and help your interviewer shine and you’ll ensure that you’ll get callbacks!

 

Keeping the Love Alive

 

Once your “Love Potion” has taken effect — that is, once you have a journalist’s attention — here are a few tips on how to keep it:

 

·        Get to the point — Keep it simple. When talking to the media, it’s time to break out your “elevator pitch” – that one to two minute snappy description of what you do and why it’s newsworthy right now. Stay on message and keep it simple. K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Silly) will win the day!

 

·        Make it easy to contact you — If you’re hard to reach or you’re slow to respond, the media will just go to the next person on their list. Here’s a simple trick I swear by: Use a landline while talking to media. We all know how frustrating static and dropped calls can be. Being a clear voice on the phone can take you farther than you think.

 

·        Give them what they want when they want it — Journalists are under tight deadlines. Make their job easier and you’re sure to get repeat PR. If you’re difficult to work with, you won’t be contacted again.

 

·        Be amazing in your interview, so you’ll be sought out again and again. Two tricks to being amazing: 1. Do your homework — Have your pitch prepared, know the points you want to make and stay on message! 2. Listen carefully to find out what the journalist is asking you. Not sure? Ask them directly what more you can do to help them with their story. The more positive the interaction, the more the journalist will want to work with you again.

 

This leads to my last point, the one that will help you in the future as well as now. Build a relationship. Be concerned about the journalist’s needs, not yours. As budgets get cut and news outlets struggle, journalists’ jobs are becoming more and more stressful. Be a resource for them. Filter out relevant information and supply them with additional resources. Make their jobs easier and you will become their go-to contact in your field. That’s priceless.

 

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About the Author:

20-year PR Veteran and Chief Creative Officer of Wasabi Publicity, Michelle Tennant Nicholson's seen PR transition from typewriters to Twitter. Called a five-star publicist by Good Morning America's Mable Chan, Michelle specializes in international PR working regularly with the likes of Oprah, Larry King, BBC, The Today Show and all major media. Recently she secured a Dr. Phil placement for a client within eight hours of signing the contract. Contact her at PR blog http://www.StorytellerToTheMedia.com where she teaches tips from the trade.

Take Off with Media Momentum

Another major snowstorm is visiting my Bucks County home outside Philadelphia so I'm sharing an article from two PR pros in sunny California.  Regina Novickis and Stacey Johnes are the experts behind www.PRTakeoff.com.   Enjoy!

Building Positive Momentum Through Public Relations
By Stacey Johnes and Regina Novickis

If you’ve never been in the press, securing media coverage or garnering attention for your business is not usually an instant thing; but it is accessible to everyone and consistent efforts WILL reap rewards.  While it can happen very quickly for some - especially if you are able to tie-in with breaking news - for others it may take weeks, or even months, to see results depending on a few factors such as how simple (or not) your story is to communicate, and how consistently you reach out to media.
 
There are things that you can do, however, to bring positive momentum into your business and, in particular, your public relations efforts.  
 
Perseverance:  Like growing your business in general, a successful PR campaign means dedicating some energy to it. This means continually developing new pitch angles that can spark the interest of media, and following up with the news organizations where you want to be covered.
 
Avoid the Overwhelm:  Don't try to build Rome in a day.  There is a wide universe of media out there and the thought of attempting to reach them all can feel overwhelming.  Try starting in your local market where you already have built-in news value by being a local business or expert.  Or focus on one genre of media, such as trade publications read by your industry, or business press. "Working" one area of media can give you the confidence, and success, to spark momentum.
 
Set Clear Goals - on Paper:  Write down your public relations goals and three things you can do to achieve each goal.  Take at least one action a day that gets you closer to achieving a goal.  The mere process of taking that action creates momentum that will build upon itself.
 
Build Time For PR in Your Schedule:  Every week, find at least one hour to focus on your public relations efforts.  Even if it means blocking it off in fifteen minute increments at a time; in fifteen minutes you can email a pitch to five journalists, place three follow-up calls, or research a new media outlet to see where you could be covered.

Regina Novickis and Stacey Johnes have nearly 30 years of combined experience helping both emerging and global brands take off and enter the spotlight through public relations. They apply their creativity, strategies and proven know-how to help business owners and experts get their message out to the world. If you’re ready to get your company off the ground and soaring through the incredible power of public relations, get your free tips now at www.PRTakeoff.com.