Finding Media Who Will Cover You

I have found best way to get covered by newspapers is to first find reporter who handles stories like yours. Read through paper's web site. It usually tells which reporters are assigned to particular topics (like business editors or technology reporter). Many papers give reporters wide leeway in what stories they cover. Call reporter and deliver a short, too-the-point message on why you have a story THEIR AUDIENCE would find interesting. Get to juicy, memorable part first.

Follow up quickly with a press release, question and answer page, and a bio about your business history (sometimes called a backgrounder).

This same strategy works well for getting covered in magazines, industry journals, and on major web sites. Use search engines to find articles on topics that match your business. Look up article, find author's email address, and suggest another related story that, of course, includes your business or expert information. This often works surprisingly well to generate PR for you.

ProfNet.com has a service where journalists and writers can post topics they are trying to get information on. As a business or non-profit, you pay $50 to $100 per year to see these posts. Your multiply your chances of getting covered by ten when you respond to a reporter with good usable info.

Magazines often post a list of subjects they will be covering from one issue to next throughout year. This is particularly true of industry publications.

Expanding To Radio

While you have your media materials in hand, call local talk and news radio shows. Speak with host or producer. Explain what is interesting about your information and, again, follow up with your release, Q&A, and bio.

The same strategy can work for getting you on top radio morning shows. Radio comprises well over half of all media outlets in US and many other countries. Don't over look it.

As you get media coverage, collect quotes from media folks who have worked with you.

"Jean kept phones lit up for an hour" KXXX San Diego, CA

"Interesting information every home owner should know." The Daily News Canton, OH

Build your list of stations and publications your business has been featured in. Include reprints when possible. Media folks love to cover stories and feature experts who have already been successful elsewhere.

Stay in touch with media who cover you. Send a handwritten thank you note to editors, reporters, and on-air personalities. Make sure YOU are expert they think of when your topic comes up in news throughout year.

You're doing NO WORK to attain these customers and these are people that will buy time and time again. You won't have one in a hundred people buying, you're numbers will be much higher and your name will get spread around web as someone that's honest, fair and helpful, which will encourage more people to buy.

Here are some rules and suggestions you should always stick by if you truly want to be successful. Some may overlook them and have some success in beginning. But, as time passes, those who follow these rules from beginning will prevail in years to follow.

* Only offer products that you would use yourself. If your customer isn't happy with your product, you probably loose all future sales.

* If your customer requests their money back, don't get hostile and argumentative. Return money as fast as possible and with very few or no questions. Even though they didn't like one product, they might order in future because they'll know that they will always be able to get their money back without any hassles.

* Always respond to every e-mail ASAP!!!! I can not stress this enough. I can't tell you how many businesses lost me as a customer because of lack of support. Try to answer every e-mail within day no matter how many you receive.

* Send out personal e-mails on special occasions. If you know a customer's birthday, it costs very little to send an e-mail and will really impress her or him. It would be easy to have someone set up a program to automate entire process.

* It's always good to add special free bonuses with your offers, but what about sending an extra secret bonus that customer doesn't know about. This will really make you stand out above your competition.