Making Your Own News

Getting a press release published in a newspaper or magazines can be one of the best ways to publicize your business. First, though, you need a good story ? and that can be the hard part.

Here's a basic rule of public relations for you, though: if you don't have a good news story to tell, you create one. Here's how to do it:

1. Throw a Launch Party

It doesn't matter if your business is a few months old, or just newly opened: if you haven't thrown a launch party, it's time to do it. Invite everyone you can think of to your party: invite the local councilors and MPs, members of your local business community, your friends, family and prospective customers - and, of course, the media.

2. Run a Competition

Just as everyone loves a story, you'll find that there are very few people who can resist a freebie. By running a competition, you'll be able to tap into that opportunistic streak all of us have ? and promote your business at the same time.

3. Give something away for free

I know, I know ? when your business is new, you want to hold onto every last penny. The very idea of giving something away for free is anathema to you! But trust me ? freebies not only help you get into the local media, they also help bring in more business.

By offering freebies, you do two things:

* Generate goodwill towards your business
* Gain media exposure

The media couldn't care less if you're selling something (even at a substantial discount) ? that's why they have an advertising section. Once you start giving it away though ? that's when they'll sit up and take notice.

Again, giving away freebies will cost you money: but the interest generated by the offer will last long after it ends, and there's a good chance that the people who missed out on the freebie will decide to try out the product anyway.

4. Get sponsored in an unusual way

As any PR-person will tell you, sponsorship doesn't just benefit the charity you're raising money for: if you're a small business owner, it can be of great benefit to you as well. Cynical? Well, probably. There's no getting away from the fact, though, that being sponsored to do something, whether it's a charity hike, sponsored silence or a walk halfway round the world will give you a better chance of seeing your business name in the paper.

5. Sponsor someone else

If you don't fancy being sponsored yourself, then try sponsoring someone else. Local clubs, sports teams and organizations are always on the lookout for extra cash, and while you may not be able to spring for a sponsorship deal with your local premiership club, sponsoring your local kids' football team will earn you goodwill ? and your business name on eleven shirts for a year!

6. Piggy-back on someone else's press release

We've already discussed politicians and how media savvy they are. The same goes for many other organizations and businesses, who are just as desperate for publicity as you are. It makes sense to get to know the PR people working for these organizations. Say your business is in a health-related industry, and you find out that your local hospital is about to put out a press release about an issue affecting them. Why not contact the hospital press officer and ask if you can help? You may be surprised at how willing they are to have your voice of support quoted on their press release ? and that means getting your business in the media.

This article is an excerpt from "PR Power: How to Write a Killer Press Release ? and make sure it gets published!", Amber McNaught's popular new ebook. Buy it at http://www.hotigloo.co.uk/prpower.htm

Amber also offers an affordable press release writing and distribution service.

---

How To Get FREE Publicity Whenever You Want !

What you are about to read is a step by... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Its Not Who You Know But What You Know

Almost every day, I hear the same question, over and... Read More

Crisis Management

The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers,... Read More

PR: Advice You Didnt Ask For

Although, as a business, non-profit or association manager, you may... Read More

Publicity - Use This System to Track Publicity Progress

Tracking your correspondence with reporters, via phone or email, is... Read More

Media Training: How to Avoid Being Misquoted

I often begin my media training sessions by asking members... Read More

A Winning Public Relations Game Plan

You want to sell your products or services, and that... Read More

Business Community Relations 101 - Getting the Most Out of Your Chamber of Commerce Membership

Since the major part of a small business typically comes... Read More

Sound Like Your Situation?

What a shame! Potentially productive public relations people resting on... Read More

PR? Why?

Well, for starters, because good public relations can alter individual... Read More

Media Training - Essentials for ALL Office Professionals

Often the first point of contact the media has with... Read More

Boost Your Business by Partnering with a Non Profit Organization

Is your business looking for new and creative ways to... Read More

PR: Room at the Bottom?

When special events and communications tactics rule the PR roost... Read More

Media Relations: Ending the Press Release Crutch

When most people think of media relations, they think of... Read More

What not to wear when doing a TV Interview

? Don't wear all black. You'll look as though you're... Read More

PR: Short Form for Managers

Experience tells me that too many business, non-profit and association... Read More

Public Relations Primer, Part I: Packaging Your Story for the Media

Imagine you're in the breakfast cereal business. You make the... Read More

How To Get Radio-Active PR For Your Non-Profit Cause: Part Three of Three

HOW TO BE RELAXED AND EFFECTIVE ON-AIRHow does one stay... Read More

Cutting Down Your Trade Show Budget

Whenever a recession or volatility threatens the economy, companies immediately... Read More

Asian Media Relations: Increase Your Profile and Image in China

China's media is booming creating opportunities for marketing-savvy businesses. But... Read More

What Kind of PR Makes Sense?

For business, non-profit and association managers, is it publicity that... Read More

Etymology- How Words Change Over Time

Etymology is the study of the origins of words.As languages... Read More

Media Relations: Should You Pay For News Coverage, Part II

Last month, we told you about "pay for play," a... Read More

Using the Media - Five Reasons Why

The media has the power to shape public opinion and... Read More

Publicity: Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Never Say These Words to a Reporter

Everyone has something that drives them up a wall. You... Read More

A Powerful PR Strategy

It really is powerful when a business, non-profit or association... Read More

The Press Release: How to Get the Media to Pay Attention!

As many of you already know, promoting and marketing your... Read More

Did You Know That Even TV Remote Control Units Can Get Press and Media Coverage?

Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units... Read More

Why PR Can be Effective Medicine

When properly applied by business, non-profit and association managers, public... Read More

Pot Roast and Public Relations (or, How Your Web Site Can Be Your Best P.R. Tool)

Recently I had a craving for... Read More

How To Get Radio-Active PR For Your Non-Profit Cause-Part One

"We are in the communications business, the business of conveying... Read More

Media Exposure Validates And Legitimizes Your Business

Although repetition is extremely important, there are times when advertising... Read More

Media Relations: How We Landed on the Wall Street Journals Front Page

Media relations is a great profession.On good days, I earn... Read More