Do you want to get more media coverage for your brand, business or band - well it can be done with a little effort.
If you’ve decided to go down the non PR route and aren’t using a website or blog submission service, then here are some good ways to do this.
Reach Out To Journalists Through Twitter
Twitter has made it easier than ever to reach out to journalists. Start by following reporters who work for publications that are relevant to your business. Anytime something newsworthy happens with your business, pitch the idea to reporters by adding their @handle to your tweet. Keep in mind, however, that they will most likely receive a phone notification every time you mention them. Avoid overusing this technique so that you don’t bother them.
Try Newsjacking
Finding a connection between your business and breaking news stories is a great way to get free exposure. For example, if your area is in the midst of a major heatwave and you run a heating and cooling business, you could contact media companies to let them know you are available as a resource if they need to consult with any experts.
Jump At Chances For Free Exposure
Many news organizations have a calendar of events where you can list upcoming events at your place of business. They may decide to feature your event in an upcoming news story if they are looking for an angle for local news coverage. If nothing else, you still get to advertise your event to any of the website’s visitors for free, making it a smart move for your business regardless of whether or not it leads to media coverage for the event.
Send Out Invitations
If you have something special happening at your place of business, remember to send out invitations to the media. You never know when a news outlet will be looking for a local feature. Events are a great way to generate positive news coverage for your business - particularly if they somehow benefit your local community. Make sure to let the reporters that you contact know that you are available for interviews or to help clarify any questions that they may have about the event.
Get Active On Facebook
Most media outlets maintain Facebook pages where they publish content. You can get yourself noticed by regularly interacting with these pages. Add thoughtful comments to their news stories or share them with your followers. This is a great way to get these organizations to notice your business. You may even want to follow independent news reporters so that they know you appreciate their work. They may return the favor for your support by offering to do a story on your business.
Connect With Bloggers Who Work At The News Outlet
Even if you can’t get a story published about your business in an actual news publication, you may be able to get a feature on their blog. This is especially true with larger news organizations. For instance, getting featured in the New York Times is something that most businesses only dream about. That doesn’t mean, however, that you can’t get any attention from large media outlets. Oftentimes, they have blogs that are dedicated to certain topics. If a news outlet has a blog that is relevant to your industry, you may be able to contact them with an idea for a topic they could cover that centers around your business.
Maintain A List Of Media Contacts
Keep a list on hand that includes local and regional news outlets, the names of any reporters who cover topics that are relevant to your business, and contact information for anyone else who may be able to provide your company with news coverage. Continuously update this list, adding notes that will help you recall key details about individual news organizations or reporters.