The media live by the calendar. Your story pitch might miss the mark with them the first time out, solely because it's out of whack with the seasonal cycle (obvious examples: just try pitching another tax story on April 16, or offering the media your 10 tips on backyard barbecue safety the morning after Labor Day).
But come back when the time's right, and you just might be golden: Personal finance and the holiday season? Record keeping techniques for tax time... Saving for college at back-to-school time.
In fact, for just about any topic, with a little thought and creativity, you can work your way through the calendar and fill out a whole year's worth of media stories based on seasonal tie-ins. You probably won't land every story, but you will increase your results dramatically simply because you are stepping up to the plate ? and getting to contact reporters ? more often.
Following the seasons is one of the best ? and easiest ? ways to slice your topic.
Here's one example. Let's say our topic ? we consult, write, and speak about it for a living ? is time management. A yearlong spin through the calendar might start with this:
January: Keeping that New Year's Resolution to get yourself organized.
March: Don't let income tax season throw a wrench into your busy life.
June: School's out! How to remain productive at work when the kids are at home and leisure activities beckon.
September: Fall's here, time to get serious again! How to make the most out of your time.
December: Holiday season ? how to get it all done.
And before you know it, another year has arrived, and now your media plan is to ?. start all over again! For two reasons: not every media outlet you're targeting did the story last year, and (this is the part I love!) many of the reporters who turned you down last year have since left their jobs and moved on. That frees you to call their replacements, who will be hearing your story for the first time.
Creativity exercise:
Try this right now. List the months of the year on a blank sheet of paper. Fill in one of your topics where it is appropriate for a particular month. See if you can find 6, 8, or even 12 reasons a year why the media should do your story.
ned steele works with people in professional services who want to build their practice and accelerate their growth. The president of Ned Steele's MediaImpact, he is the author of ned steele To learn more visit ned steele or call 212-243-8383.
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..The Key to Great PR is PerseveranceBy Paula Gardner of... Read More
Recently someone asked me why so many restaurants go out... Read More
If you get the hang of speaking to the press... Read More
The media live by the calendar. Your story pitch might... Read More
Would you advise clients to buy a stock based on... Read More
Decide once and for all to do something about those... Read More
"Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly... Read More
How to write a press release that generates free publicity... Read More
E-mail is becoming the preferred way to receive media releases.... Read More
Did you Know That Even TV Remote Control Units... Read More
Once upon a time, there was a young, stressed out... Read More
A new public relations blueprint could be a good idea... Read More
Although, as a business, non-profit or association manager, you may... Read More
Getting on the radio can be a great tactical move... Read More
When your book is mentioned on television, sales go up.... Read More
If you manage a department, division or subsidiary for a... Read More
What's REALLY potent for a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More
Should it be measured in "publicity by the pound," or... Read More
Almost every day, I hear the same question, over and... Read More
Managers, please take a minute and read two sentences: People... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, let the tacticians... Read More
Yes? Then do something positive about the behaviors of those... Read More
What's more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit... Read More
More than half of America skips the Super Bowl, the... Read More
When most people think about marketing, they think advertising. While... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..Every organization has issues that could affect its operation. The... Read More
About a year ago I read a feature story in... Read More
Like human nature over time, the power of good public... Read More
Think for a moment! If you were to do a... Read More
As a business, non-profit and association manager, how satisfied are... Read More
A Press Release is a captive story that can be... Read More
I address this article to businesses, associations, non-profits and public... Read More
Mark Twain once said the rumors of his death had... Read More
What are you trying to do with your business, non-profit... Read More
When is your best advertisement not an advertisement? When it's... Read More
Press reviews are a common and basic feature for surveying... Read More
Public relations changes minds in the process of delivering what... Read More
I believe this about public relations.People act on their own... Read More
Is that what we are? Fanatic, over-the-top disciples of some... Read More
Many of my clients have had the misguided perception that... Read More
Yes indeed! If you are a young person who has... Read More
Managers ? the business, non-profit and association sort ? really... Read More
Be a ResourceThe media people that are likely to want... Read More
Reporters, by nature, are curious people.If you can get them... Read More
The least expensive, most effective way for you to promote... Read More
What's more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit... Read More
Promotion for Professional Services Providers requires a different approach than... Read More
Attracting new business: sometimes it happens by luck, sometimes by... Read More
I am often asked by clients to target USA Today... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager trying to get... Read More
Public Relations |