The media has to come up with new things to talk about every day. They normally love feel good stories, especially your local paper. So put together your press release and some photos to announce your good news and get in touch with them. we’ve seen so many businesses get incredible opportunities on TV, in the paper or featured in online articles as finalists in the lead up to the event by simply following these steps below:
1 Choose the right publication
Think about who would be interested in publishing a story like yours. This could be your local paper, the radio, local news, local magazines or online sites focused locally or interested in your industry. If you can come up with a list of 3 – 5 places to send your press release that’s a great starting point.
2. Do your homework
Often getting the press release to the right person is the key to being picked up. For example if you have developed a range of cosmetics and send your press release to the sport editors instead of the beauty editor it probably won’t get picked up, do your homework and take the extra time to do a little bit of research about which journalists write which kind of stories and find their email address so you can get in touch with them directly.
3. Keep your pitch brief
Send an email with a catchy subject line and keep your pitch short and to the point. It only needs to be a paragraph or two as journalists are often very busy and get lots of requests every day. Attach your press release to the email so they have all of the information and make sure you include your website and phone number so they can get in touch with you for an interview.
4. Team up
In previous years fellow finalists have got together to organise press. This is not only a great way to get pr for your business but its also a great way to get to know other local business women, if there are other nominees in your local area take the initiative to get in touch with them and see if they’re interested.
5. Always say yes
If you’re successful and you’re offered a media opportunity, drop everything to make it happen rather than trying to find a time that the journalist can fit in with you. Being available and reliable is important, they may only have room for your story that day so if that means you have to ask someone to pick up your kids from school or you have to reschedule a coffee date or a client meeting do what you can to make it work.
6. Grow the relationship
After your story has run make sure you follow up with a thank you email or a hand written thank you card to the journalist. Like any business relationship, media connections can prove invaluable for your business down the track and you never know what other opportunities may arise. If you can become recognised as the ‘go-to’ person for your field it will lead to more and more opportunities for promotion for your brand.
It’s not too late to be in the running for the 2019 AusMumpreneur Awards and have the opportunity to get some PR for your business, don’t be the one home in her PJ’s wishing she’d entered, nominate your business or a business you love by 5pm this Sunday June 16!
Love,
Peace, Katy and the AusMumpreneur team
