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Five Questions to Ask Yourself Before Launching a New Business
Owning a home used to be the “American Dream.” However, this long-standing goal that so many aspired to, and ultimately reached, has been replaced with a new goal -- becoming a business owner. At first glance it sounds perfect: Leave the corporate...
How To Get A Visa/MasterCard With No Credit Check
SHAPING YOUR APPLICATION TO FIT THE RIGHT PEOPLE Creditors approve credit to those people who most closely match the right profile. They arrive at those conclusions by assigning point values to various items of information that are included either...
My Identity Crisis
My Identity Crisis By David Leonhardt When we are young it is all so simple. We know exactly what I want to "be" when we grow up. You know what it's like: "I want to be a fireman." I want to be a ballerina." "I want to be a movie star." "I want to...
Narcissism in the Boardroom - Part II
The false self is a childish response to abuse and trauma. Abuse is not limited to sexual molestation or beatings. Smothering, doting, pampering, over-indulgence, treating the child as an extension of the parent, not respecting the child's...
Time to think outside the box
The mortgage industry has faced up to some pretty demanding challenges over the last few years and only now does it appear to be settling down to something like normality.
So as the market moves onwards and upwards,I think there is a lot the...
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To Get Free Publicity, Think "Local"
How do you identify newsworthy stories where you work or
live?
Especially newsworthy stories about yourself or your company
that you can pitch to the media in the hope of getting some
free publicity.
By remembering a semi-famous quote from the late Speaker Of
The House Of Representatives, Tip O'Neill.
'All politics is local.'
In a sense, all news is local because even global issues
often have a local impact.
Here are some powerful strategies for spotting opportunities
when they present themselves.
'Piggybacking' simply means putting a fresh or different
twist on something that's already in the news. You might
have you seen a story on the Today Show that reflects
something that's happening in your industry. Call the
station that airs the Today Show and offer a 'local angle.'
They'll probably interview you as part of the story.
You can piggyback on news items, trends, holidays, or
community events - the possibilities never end.
Trends and new ideas and technologies make for good stories.
When my wife and I opened the first South Texas Subway
Sandwich Shop inside a convenience store, we got a front-
page write-up in The San Antonio Business Journal. It
included a color picture of us standing in front of our
location. Buying an equal amount of ad space would have cost
about eight thousand dollars.
If you're part of a large company or organization
(university, non-profit, etc) and you've got a lot of people
who are qualified to comment on a wide variety of topics,
create and distribute a directory. It can be elaborate or
simple - as long as your media contacts can find a suitable
expert quickly. Include names, titles, and contact numbers
(day and evening) and post your list on your web site.
Polls, surveys, tip sheets,
and quizzes make great fillers.
Your data doesn't need to scientific or statistically
significant, just interesting. Unique contests, such as
Thrifty Rent-a-Car's annual Honeymoon Disasters Contest, can
generate tons of coverage.
The media love controversy and (despite frequent accusations
to the contrary) most go out of their way to present both
sides of a story. If you can offer a contrarian point of
view --and you can explain your case--reporters will often
give you an opportunity
You can get the media's attention to publicize upcoming
events: classes, open houses, free demonstrations, visits by
celebrities. Publicity before the event helps spark interest
and boost attendance.
Human-interest stories are everywhere, including your
business. Think about people in your company, group, or
organization. Does someone have an intriguing hobby? Pitch
their story to the local media.
Even the weather and climate can give you a hook for free
publicity. Homebuilders and remodelers can offer tips about
saving energy. Doctors can suggest tips avoiding colds and
flu during the winter.
TV stations and cable channels, radio stations, newspapers,
magazines, trade publications, and newsletters - both print
and electronic - have huge amounts of time and space to
fill.
There are more opportunities than ever, and competition is
fierce for advertising dollars, viewers and subscribers. The
secret to success knowing exactly what they're looking for -
and giving it to them with a local twist.
About the Author
During his 31 year broadcasting career, George's
TV Reports have appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, ESPN
George offers a free 7-day mini course to
anyone who subscribes to his free weekly ezine,
Register at http://www.publicitygoldmine.com/ea
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