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Free Publicity Tactics: Finding the Best Media Outlets for Your News

May 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Dan Janal

PR Coach Dan Janal

Many people make the mistake of thinking that if they get on the Oprah show, they will become famous and get rich.

That’s far from true.

In fact, unless you have a real blockbuster story that ties in with what Oprah wants to talk about, you’ll be headed for a dead end.

That’s the case with many people.

You might think that everyone wants to know about your news but that’s far from true. Only a limited number of people and a very limited number of media outlets give a hoot about your news.

If you try to pitch your story to reporters who don’t care, then you will waste your time and theirs.

You must accept the fact that you must target your message to a select number of media outlets or you will quickly go broke and burn out.

Fortunately, it is fairly easy to find reporters who do want to write about you. Here are four ways to find reporters who want to write about you.

1. Join a leads service like PR LEADS. Reporters who need to find sources send their requests to PR LEADS, which then sends the relevant leads to you. You send your answers to the reporter and if she likes the info, she’ll print it.  This system is very easy and very cost effective. There are several leads services, but only PR LEADS offers leads from the best media outlets and also provides hands-on training and customer support. For information, go to www.PRLEADS.com

2. Buy a media database of reporters in your field. These lists show the names, addresses, phones and emails for reporters in a given field, such as business, health or travel. The more specific you are, the better the list will be. For example, health is a big list. But cardiology is a smaller list and more specific. While some big companies want you to spend $2,500 or more on an annual service, you can find lists for as little at $197 for unlimited use at www.BullsEyePublicity.com

3. Find out what your prospects read and target those publications. Do some research among your buyers and you’ll find that they read only a handful of publications or websites regularly. Target those media and you’ll be able to create a time-efficient publicity campaign.

4. Once you find those reporters, follow their blogs and Tweets. Most reporters post online in several formats so it is easy to see what they are writing about. Better yet, you can respond to reporters and start to build a relationship with them. Compliment them on their stories. Add feedback and tips or ideas to help them and their readers. They’ll appreciate it and they might contact you in the future when they need information.

If you follow these simple free publicity tactics, you’ll find that you will build a great network of reporters who want to write about you.

Filed Under: publicity

10 Free Publicity Tips for Building Relationships with Reporters from Publicity Consultant Dan Janal

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Dan Janal

Publicity Coach Dan Janal

When you pitch a reporter with your great story idea, remember that reporters aren’t looking to find a new best friend. Reporters are looking for expert and sources who can give them information they need to write their stories.

Too many PR people try to become reporters’ friends by asking about their weekend activities, their families and the like. Stop. They don’t want a new BFF.

Here are 10 free publicity tips to build a strong relationship with any reporter and improve your media relations.

  1. Tell the truth. Don’t lie, or mislead. That’s the kiss of death.
  2. Don’t use hype. Even if your product is the best in the market, they won’t believe it. They hear superlatives all day long. When you gush about your product or service, you won’t stand out. You’ll sound like all the others. Just tell the facts.
  3. Get to know the reporter by reading their articles, blogs and TV segments. It’s easy to find this info now.
  4. When you pitch the reporter, refer to their articles. It’s a compliment to the reporter and they’ll know you’ve done your homework.
  5. Read their blogs and comment when you can add value. Reporters will get to know you and value you.
  6. Return phone calls and emails quickly. Reporters are always on deadline. If you aren’t available, someone else is. They will use the info from whomever responds fastest.
  7. Give reporters your direct dial phone numbers for mobile and desk. Don’t put them through a switchboard or voice mail jail systems.
  8. If you don’t now the answer, then say so. If you can find info, let them know how long it will take to get back to them – and then make sure you do.
  9. Double-check your facts and spellings of names. If you give an error to the reporter, you’ll make them look bad and they will never forget that.
  10. Thank yous are always appreciated, but gifts are not. Reporters want to be acknowledged, but they don’t want to feel like they’ve been bribed. Give compliments. Keep gifts.

If you follow these guidelines, you’ll have a better chance of being quoted today, tomorrow and long into the future. For more publicity tips from publicity coach Dan Janal, go to www.prleads.com/news.
What free publicity advice do you have?

 

 

Filed Under: public relations, publicity

Tips for Pitching Reporters from Publicity Consultant Dan Janal

May 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Dan Janal

Publicity Consultant Dan Janal

Reporters need ideas from you to write their stories. But there is a right way and a wrong way to pitch your story. Here are a few tips on what not to do. Don’t even think of breaking these rules if you want to get published.

1. Don’t assume they have all the time in the world to talk to you. They don’t. They are always busy.

2. Don’t assume they want to hear new pitches. Some columnists create their own ideas and don’t want to hear pitches.

3. Don’t pitch off topic. Do you homework to know which reporters cover your topic and are a good fit for your story.

4. Don’t threaten reporters with pulling your advertising. Reporters don’t care if you advertise with the publication or are best friends with the publisher. They want info their readers care about.

5. Interrupt them on deadline. Since you don’t know their deadline, always ask if this is a good time to talk. If it isn’t, ask them when you can call back.

6. Don’t run on and on with your story idea. Pause and ask them if they are interested, if they want more info or if they have questions. That shows respect.

7. Don’t pitch them the same feature story idea they just wrote about. In most cases, they are done with that story for a while. If you are pitching on a breaking news story, they could be interested in info for a follow up story.

8. Don’t offer an exclusive. You could probably do more harm to yourself than good.

9. Don’t be ignorant. Read the reporters recent articles so you know what they right about and can comment on those articles. That shows a great deal of respect and that can open doors for you.

10. Don’t be unprepared. Think of the questions reporters will ask and have a ready answer. You want to sound a prepared and professional as possible. Put yourself in the reporter’s shoes and consider the likely questions. If the reporter still asks a question you can’t answer, tell her you’ll get back to her promptly – and then do so.

If you follow these tips, you’ll have a better chance of being quoted.

Filed Under: book publicity, publicity

Publicity Tactics: How to Become a Respected Name in Your Industry So You Can Get More Clients

May 1, 2012 By Leave a Comment

If you’re like most consultants, the biggest problem you have when talking to new clients is to answer the question, “Why should I hire you instead of Katherine?”

And if you are like most consultants, you’ll point to your college degrees and rattle off the names of your clients.

The trouble is, most consultants can match you stride for stride, name for name.

So what can make you stand out?

The Media.

If you are quoted in the media, you stand out from any competitor who hasn’t been on TV or quoted in the newspapers or magazines.

When people see your name in the media they think you are a star, a celebrity or just plain someone they can trust.

That kind of branding from the media is invaluable in creating your own brand and making you stand out from your competitors.

Getting quoted in the media is the first step.

Once you’ve been quoted, you have to take the second step, which is to use that media as a marketing piece.

You see, it isn’t enough that you’ve been quoted. You can’t be assured that your prospects have seen the article. After all, do you read every article in every newspaper you subscribe to? Neither do your prospects.

It is up to you to send that article to all your clients, prospects and former clients so you can build your business. That’s an essential publicity tactic. This free publicity tip also helps improve your branding and image.

You can send them the hard copy printout of the article via mail. Or you can get an electronic version from the Internet and email it to your list.

In either case, this publicity tactic is a great way to stay in touch with the people who are in a position to hire you.

The truth about marketing is that you must stay in touch with your prospects. You can’t rely on them to remember that you are still in business. You need to be in front of them when they are ready to buy. Sending your media clips to them performs that function.

Usually, media articles contain information that helps the reader. When you send an article to a prospect you are sharing that information that can help them solve a problem or make more money. And the fact that you are the one who is quoted is a double plus in their eyes.

Be sure to personalize this so you really make an impact. Include a short note saying, “I thought you’d like to see this.” Or “This reminded me of our conversation a while back.” Or something else that is meaningful and true.

If you follow this process, you will become one of the most respected names in your field-  in the minds of your prospects.

Filed Under: branding, publicity, publicity thought leader

Media Training Tips for Politicians from Publicity Coach Dan Janal

April 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

I’m hooked on all the news and opinion shows about politics. I’ve noticed several media training tips that politicians seem to use. Could they help you? I hope not!
That’s right.

Not.

These answers are probably the least-classy way to respond to media – and they do it all the time.

1.     Deny you said it.
2.     Say the media misinterpreted your comments.
3.     Apologize for the media misinterpreting your comments.
4.     Say the other side twisted your comments.
5.     Say the other side does the same thing.
6.     Say the other side does the same thing even worse.
7.     Say the media doesn’t call out the other side for doing the same thing. (The media gave them a free ride.)
8.     Blame the media for reporting this. Say it isn’t a story.
9.     Change the subject.

A typical response sounds like this:

“I never said that. But if you heard it that way, I’m sorry you didn’t understand what I really meant. They are taking what I said out of context. Besides, they’ve been doing the same thing for years and they do it even more than they admit. I’m surprised you aren’t calling them out for it. Of course, you always give them a free pass because you are aligned with their agenda. I don’t even know why you are reporting on this. It isn’t even a real story. By the way, why aren’t you writing about …”

Doesn’t that sound like a five-year old trying to answer the question, “Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?” The only thing missing from this rebuttal is, “I’m going to tell Daddy.”

If you want good media relations, don’t listen to politicians.

If you are a politician (or play one on TV), then you’ll want to find out how to do it the right way. Go to this site for expert media training.

http://www.mediatrainingforpoliticians.com/

Filed Under: publicity, publicity thought leader

Time-Saving Tips to Get Publicity

April 4, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Any good music teacher will tell you that it is more important to practice for 10 or 15 minutes a day, every day, then it is to practice for an hour once a week.

If you can learn to play an instrument in 10 minutes a day, why can’t you get publicity with just 10 minutes a day.

The truth is, you can.

I’ve been preaching this philosophy for the past 12 years that I’ve run PR leads and helped literally thousands of people get publicity.

It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to scan leads, respond to a reporter and get back to doing whatever you want to do.

Reporters Are Looking for YOU!I have a zillion time-saving tips in my new book, “Reporters Are Looking for YOU!” If you are serious about getting publicity, but say you don’t have the time, then you need to buy this book.
I priced it at $9.99. I didn’t want to charge a fortune for it. That’s my sense of fair play. Other people would charge $1,000 for a “system.” That’s just the way I am.

Here’s the link to buy the book (yes, I said buy, not invest or grab your copy or some other sleaze-ball technique.)

Here’s the link to buy the book for only $9.99:
http://ow.ly/a1My1  

Filed Under: book publicity, publicity, thought leadership

How to Get Quoted in the New York Times: Rain Today Interviews PR Expert Dan Janal

April 3, 2012 By Leave a Comment

RainTodayThanks to the Internet and social media, it’s never been easier to build relationships with reporters and get quoted in their publications. Journalists from all types of publications, including The New York Times and Harvard Business Review, are always looking for sources for their articles. And if you can capture their attention, they will turn to you.

“There are reporters in every field that want to get sources for their stories,” says Dan Janal, author of Reporters Are Looking for You! Get the Publicity You Need to Build Your Business. “And they don’t care if you’re a big name or not. They just care if you have good information. So, it’s great if you’ve written a book, it’s great if you’re a CEO, but what they’re really looking for is someone with a unique idea or good tips.”

Reporters Are Looking for You by Dan JanalIf you can get quoted in a publication, you can use that publicity to grow your business, he says.

“I can tell you hundreds and hundreds of stories about my clients being quoted in everyplace from The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review and business-to-business magazines, and it’s led to increased traffic to their sites, as well as increased credibility because then they can say they were quoted in The New York Times,” Janal says. “And that just elevates your whole brand. So, when you get publicity, you can tell the world that you were quoted here.”

Listen as Janal discusses how to get on a journalist’s radar, as well as how to:

  • Develop relationships with journalists
  • Respond to journalists’ queries so that they want to quote you in articles
  • Connect with journalists via Twitter and LinkedIn
  • Use publicity to get new clients

 

Listen to My Rain Today Interview on How to Get Quoted in The New York Times
Here’s the link. http://ow.ly/a1Mrt   

It’s free. It’s about 15 minutes long.

Then get my book, “Reporters Are Looking for YOU!” Its almost free – $9.99. I could have charged a lot more for this, but I hate info-marketers and their sleazy overpricing. Support honest and fair trade.

Here’s the link to buy the book for only $9.99
http://ow.ly/a1My1

 

 

Filed Under: book publicity, free publicity, publicity, publicity thought leader

Media Tips from Trial Lawyer Thomas Puccio

March 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

In the Name of the LawThomas Puccio, the trial lawyer who defended famous clients including Claus von Bulow, posted these media tips in this book, “In the Name of the Law: Confessions of a Trail Lawyer.”

“Always tell reporters things are going great – even if 14 nuns have just tkaen the stand to identify your client as the man who pulled the trigger.”

“Not losing is more important than winning.”

Mr. Puccio passed away this week, on March 12, 2012.

Filed Under: free publicity, public relations, publicity

“Reporters Are Looking for YOU!” Zooms to #2 Spot on Amazon PR Books!

February 23, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Reporters Are Looking for YOU!My new book, “Reporters Are Looking for  YOU!” zoomed to the #2 spot on the Amazon best-seller list for public relations books – on its first day of “soft launch” to my email list members! Imagine what will happen when I tell the rest of the world about this book, which shares my publicity tips on how to pitch reporters and reply effectively to their leads on PR LEADS, ProfNet and other lead services.

Number 1?

That’s “New Rules for Public Relations,” by David Meerman Scott, a perennial best seller that is a must read!

Believe it or not, there are still copies available. <g> Get yours here ow.ly/9epuN

Reporters Are Looking for YOU!

Filed Under: authors, book marketing, publicity, publicity thought leader

Now’s the time to plan your editorial calendar

January 9, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Now’s the time to create your editorial calendar for 2012.

What articles should you write to tie into themes that your customers want to know about? What articles will reporters write that you can contribute to?

I can help you create your editorial calendar as part of a one-time coaching session so you get all the attention you deserve and the media doesn’t bypass you. Email dan@prleads.com for details.

Don’t let another year go by wondering “Why did all my competitors get quoted and why not me?”

Filed Under: book publicity, free publicity, General Advice, public relations, publicity, publicity stunt
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