But above all, you should try something to get small business press coverage for marketing and public relations purposes. Many companies still believe public relations and media begins and ends with a business event and with receiving a nod from the local newspaper. Stay around and we’ll tell you how Apple press coverage is much more than that. Many great lessons for small business.
It is common sense to make a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
–Franklin Roosevelt
Business success stories should not be written to the media press. In today’s environment stuffed with events, happenings, and successes, ordinary happenings are not enough for a media story.
The ordinary success story is a relic of the past and it’s time for a new and novel take. What was successful last year needs a refreshing approach to capture attention today. And capturing attention is the name of the game, isn’t it? It certainly is for Apple.
So what is the new secret ingredient for Apple press coverage? Well, maybe not so much a secret. A key ingredient is Apple’s social approach to the media and public relations.
What is the secret sauce to getting free media publicity? It is not having the best spokesperson or hiring the best PR firm. Actually, the ultimate insider secret is quite simple … just think like a reporter. It is as simple as that.
Most of us are too close to our own little world to look at the business objectively and be able to spot a newsworthy story angle that people would be interested again. Small businesses need to view the world as a reporter or a reader.
Where to begin
The question of where to begin is simple enough. Pick 5 journalists and start to build relationships with them. That is how to Begin with these questions on each one:
What do they write about and which industries to they cover?
Where do they socialize online?
Do they share any friends with you?
Based on the research findings, narrow your list to the best 3 journalists that match up best with your objectives.
Your next step in the due diligence process includes:
Engaging them on social media sites
Meaning positive comments on their engagement
Introduce yourself via e-mail
Absolutely avoid all promotional material in your note.
Just like the Apple press coverage.
Press coverage technique.
Apple press coverage … identify target community outlets
Think about your press release objective. Do you desire a niche outlet or a broad outlet?
Choose a niche outlet if you are seeking high-quality business leads.
Choose a broad outlet if you are seeking time in the spotlight and brand recognition.
Building your press kit and press page
A press kit is like a resume for your company. In it is a collection of company information and articles put together to address questions from the media, investors, potential clients and others.
The goal of the Apple press coverage and the press kit is the same as all other marketing that a company does.
It should grab the reader’s attention, make a lasting impression and create enough interest that they will contact you for more information.
The press kit is the killer resource you need to provide to your journalist friends. It is everything they will need to write an article on your company. The press page is your brag-worthy showcase examples of specific hard work.
Don’t be modest … share the story about the journey you took to get to your current objective or accomplishment.
Do all the work to help the process, including a press release, founder bios, headshot pictures, team photos, and everything in the digital form that are easily accessible.
Apple press coverage … the key to getting noticed
Busy editors sort through piles of press kits each day. Getting your press kit noticed is the key to publication and action. You have noticed the Apple press coverage many times, haven’t you?
Remember, getting attention is important not only with audiences but also with editors. Package your materials in a unique way and make sure the materials are presented professionally.
Small business press coverage … create a positioning statement
A positioning statement is the elevator speech that explains your business in short and sweet one or two sentences. Brevity is essential. So is the necessity to avoid buzzwords at all costs.
Done well, it will look and feel like your unique selling point/value proposition. Just like Apple.
For example, if your business is supporting a local charity and they are having a fundraiser, combine the two stories in a unique way that benefits both. Strike while the news is current and score a better story with news that everyone is already talking about.
The bottom line
In conclusion, remember that the media are a busy bunch. The goal of a media press kit should be to save them time. Probably the worst thing you can do with an online media kit is to offer no information about advertising opportunities, and instead, to provide a lengthy form to fill out and then wait several days for a response.
The media simply don’t have time to wait; the information should be right there at their fingertips. Make your media kit a TOOL for planners to quickly gather the information they need, and they’ll thank you for it in media dollars.
If you are looking for additional resources in marketing strategy, one of my favorite experts is John Jantsch and Duct Tape Marketing. You’ll find lots of good stories and examples to learn from his blog.
So what’s the conclusion? The conclusion is there is no conclusion. There is only the next step. And that next step is completely up to you. But believe in the effectiveness of word of mouth public relations marketing. And put it to good use.
It’s up to you to keep improving your creative public relations efforts. Lessons are all around you. In this case, your competitor may be providing the ideas and or inspiration. But the key is in knowing that it is within you already.
All you get is what you bring to the fight. And that fight gets better every day you learn and apply new lessons.
When things go wrong, what’s most important is your next step.
Need some help in capturing more customers from your marketing strategies? Creative ideas to help the differentiation with potential customers?
Call today for a FREE consultation or a FREE quote. Learn about some options to scope your job.
Call Mike at 607-725-8240.
All you get is what you bring to the fight. And that fight gets better every day you learn and apply new ideas.
When things are not what you want them to be, what’s most important is your next step. Call today.
Test. Learn. Improve. Repeat.
Are you devoting enough energy to improving your marketing, branding, and advertising?
Do you have a lesson about making your marketing strategy better you can share with this community? Have any questions or comments to add in the section below?
Mike Schoultz is the founder of Digital Spark Marketing, a digital marketing and customer service agency. With 40 years of business experience, he blogs on topics that relate to improving the performance of your business. Find them on G+, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Digital Spark Marketing will stretch your thinking and your ability to adapt to change. We also provide some fun and inspiration along the way. Call us for a free quote today. You will be amazed at how reasonable we will be.
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