Whether you’re at the very start of your business venture or you’ve been around the block a few times, media attention is a key part of success. With so much competition on the market, setting yourself apart from other similar brands is vital. The challenge is doing so in a way that is efficient and will contribute to the positive growth of your business.
Here are 7 ways to get media attention for your business:
Craft a Solid Story
Face the facts. No one will pay attention to your business unless you’ve created and shared an intriguing brand story. The goal is not to pull out all the stops and try to impress people but to tell the authentic story of your business. People want to know what lies behind a service or product.
It is essential to create a solid brand story foundation before you start seeking media attention. While things may start off on the slow foot, the story you share with media could be making the rounds years after its initial circulation. Take advantage of that power and make your story magnetizing.
To get the juices flowing, think back to a sales meeting or a time when you had to pitch your product or service. The way you actually speak about your product or service can help you form your story.
Keep Your Pitch Short and Sweet
While you may have a lot of ideas to share with the writer you’re pitching to, they simply may not have the time to read a lengthy pitch. In the interest of respecting your reader’s time and boosting your chances of being considered, keep your pitches short, sweet, and to the point.
Let your reader know right away you have a lot to offer. Share your biggest selling points in a few dynamic, concise paragraphs and link to your website and social media accounts for more information.
Focus on People Not Publications
Don’t trip yourself up by creating goals to be published in certain newspapers or other sources. Yes, big names can do a lot for your brand, but you may miss out on many other media attention opportunities if you have tunnel vision.
Your best bet is to send pitches to individual journalists. Spend some time researching major publications in your industry and find contact information for individual writers on platforms like LinkedIn. You could end up with an in-depth piece written about your business and a long-term working relationship.
However, if you are trying to reach the news titans like Reuters, Associated Press, and Dow Jones, make sure you’re using a press release service like AccessWire to help you reach the right people.
Strategic Press Releases
One of the fastest and easiest ways to attract media attention for your business is a press release. Whether you focus on the initial launch of your business or more specific topics like events, product releases, or major milestones, press releases are a good practice. You will want to learn how to write a press release that will increase your chances of media distribution.
Using larger platforms, you’ll be able to submit your press releases to thousands of smaller sources at once. While press releases don’t do much in terms of SEO, your piece is very likely to be picked up and published by a few sources. This can help your brand’s search results and aid in managing your online reputation. If you want to give it a try, NewswireJet is one of the best press release distribution services available to small business owners.
Try ‘Newsjacking’
Another strategic way to stir up media attention is to insert your business into a conversation that is already taking place. ‘Newsjacking’ is the common practice of finding a popular story and writing a piece about your business’ opinion on the topic.
If major companies have taken action in some way in response to a news story or event, you can even follow in their footsteps if it lines up with your business mission. This is a technique that could lead to follow-up mentions for your business in other sources.
Involve Your Brand in Local Events
Use your local community to help bring media attention to your brand and business. Seek out popular local events and involve your business. You can put your business on the map by speaking at local industry events or participating as a business in charity events.
To increase the likelihood of being noticed, make sure to wear clothing and accessories toting your brand logo and colors. Also, if you have merch, hand it out.
Hit Hard on Social Media
Last but not least, don’t slack when it comes to your social media game. The modern media uses social media for information and inspiration. Devote time and effort to your business accounts to make them stand out. Build a strong following, create regular posts, and you’re sure to be noticed by a media outlet or two. Use tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, and Zapier, to automate and make things easier on yourself.
Getting media attention comes down to engaging in a few strategic practices. Make sure your business content foundation is solid and start sharing what you offer with the world!
Sources:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/305231
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/274887
https://startupnation.com/grow-your-business/get-media-attention-free/
