Tips from August 21, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Media Coverage: How to get more media through media Keep your relationship strong with a journalist so they know that if your industry or topic of interest comes up again they can contact you for another story. If you have an article published be active on sending the articles out to nationwide publications. Newspapers are often more interested on reporting on recent news. You are an expert in your industry to don't be shy; let the journalist or publication know you are available as a source. Getting your name or your businesses name attached to quotes is positive even if the story is not all about you. Write a feature article on something in your industry. If your article is well written you may even be published which will show the viewers you are an expert and they should come in to your business.  Daily Overview: Get more media through medi... [Read Full Article]

Tips from August 20, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Media Coverage: What to provide journalist with: Press release or a 1-2 page media advisory that includes the details of your story, event, or new product/service. Strong headline that represents the most interesting points of your news article. Choose strong key words that are common but intriguing. Fact sheet that provides a list of all of the facts of your story, event, product. This will make it easy for a journalist to decide what they want to use in the story. Quotes from you, your employees, or a person related to your story. List the contact information for each person in case the journalist would like to ask further questions.  Daily Overview: Provide journalist with a press release/media advisory, a headline, fact sheet, and supporting quotes. [Read Full Article]

Tips from August 19, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Media Coverage: Building a Media Relationship Read the publications: find the journalist who would relate most to your business. Get to know them by reading their past and present articles. Call the journalist: they are always looking for news, so introduce yourself and find a common topic (i.e. the articles you have read of theirs). They receive e-mails all day so a phone conversation makes it more personal. Create trust: never lie or fabricate facts. You will lose their trust and end a relationship. Be honest, they see what is newsworthy and it might be the struggles you are having. They will help you if you are honest. Communication: remember that journalists have questions with deadlines. Once you have contact with a journalist keep the contact by making them a priority. Answer them promptly, be available to them, and provide them with all the information they... [Read Full Article]

Tips from August 18, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Media Coverage: Writing a clear and concise message Look at the big picture: identify the main goal of having your message in the media. Sales goal, event, new product. Clearly state your overall goal. Call to action: the reader should finish your story compelled to do something. Come to your store, event, or buy your new product.  Vital evidence: whether it is a single fact or a narrative story that will command emotion from the reader. It must be evident that your overall goal is significant. One sentence: your message may be long or short but the reader/journalist is captured by the first sentence. Intrigue the viewers with strong key words. Refer to the previous blog of what is newsworthy. Daily Overview: Identify your overall goal, create a call to action, include vital evidence, and make your point in one sentence. [Read Full Article]

Tips from August 17, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss Media Coverage: A Story Worth Covering Proximity: Write to local papers rather than national. A reader is more likely to read a story that is in their local community. Therefore, a local journalist is  more likely to use a story that is local. Timeliness: A story will get picked up if it is relevant to present time. An upcoming event. A new service providing customers with a better way to do something. Prominence: Reach our to your local celebrities, mayors/the town 'do-gooder,' for an event or interview them about why they like your business. A well known name will catch the eye of local journalist and their readers. Novelty: Write about something abnormal, different, or unexpected that happened involving your business. For example, you give a 25% discount to customers who bring a pet.   [Read Full Article]