Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! Evan Signature
Evan Carmichael Top Header
Share for a Cause









4 (plus one) Sure-Fire Tips to Grab the Media’s Interest

Written by: Anthony Mora

Article Overview: The story is king when it comes to the media. Your challenge is to discover how to pitch that story in a compelling way, in a way that will be sure to grab the media’s attention. But to do so, you need to find how to spark and hold their interest. The following are some sure-fire tips:

Free Download - You Don’t Have to Be in a Major Media Market to Benefit from Public Relations By Anthony Mora
Name: Email:

4 (plus one) Sure-Fire Tips to Grab the Media’s Interest

The media is working as hard to find good stories as you are (or should be) to land a story.People tend to think of producers and editors as cold, aloof and above-it-all.While on occasion, you’ll probably meet one or two who act that way, generally they’re a warm bunch. They’re people just like the rest of us trying to do their job.I’ve worked both as a freelance journalist and as the editor-in-chief of two publications and can tell you from first-hand experience, it’s not easy work.You’re constantly working on deadlines.Stories are always falling through; you’re continually looking for that next story.So you see, if you position yourself more as an ally than a salesperson, you can become a real lifesaver for some harried media professionals.But to do so, you need to find how to spark and hold their interest.The following are some sure fire tips:

1) Land your own reality show and marry a celebrity.Okay, that one doesn’t count - but it would work.

2) Find stories that are already being covered in the media.Now get creative, discover a way to use your expertise to address the issue.This won’t work with all stories, but if you’re an attorney and a legal case is in the news, you can position yourself as an expert to discuss the case or the issues.You don’t have to be one of the attorneys directly involved in the case.What you need to do is present yourself as an expert who can address the topic.

3) Find a strong local, human interest-oriented angle to your story.When pitching the local media, keep the emphasis on the word “local.”If you’re a hometown gal or guy that has created a new product or service, talk about your roots to the city or the community.Bring the local angle and flavor to your story.

4) Always keep in mind that you don’t want to pitch your product or service to the media; you want to pitch the outcome and the benefits.For example, if you’re a physician, don’t pitch your expertise, pitch a patient story that the media can follow.Give them a story.

5)Develop an underdog story, one where you beat the odds and won.Everyone roots for the underdog and those types of stories have a great narrative.You’re able to tell a full story complete with the problem, the journey and the ultimate overcoming-the-odds conclusion.

It all comes down to pitching an interesting story.The story is king when it comes to the media.Your challenge is to discover how to pitch that story in a compelling way.Keep these tips in mind and use them when pitching.They work!

Copyright © Anthony Mora 2009

Related Articles
  4 Ways to Market your Business with a Low Budget
  How to Put More Prospects in a Buying Mood
  Learn to Give Value
  Whats In It For Them
  Effective low budget internet marketing strategies

Home > Public-Relations > Anthony Mora > 4 plus one SureFire Tips to Grab the Medias Interest
Article Tags: surefire tips

About the Author: Anthony Mora
RSS for Anthony's articles - Visit Anthony's website

Anthony Mora Communications, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based public relations firm that focuses in the areas of media relations, image development and media training. Anthony Mora Communications regularly places clients in major media outlets, including Time, Newsweek, Oprah, the New York Times, CNN, the Today Show, the Wall Street Journal and hundreds of other media outlets. Through media placement, you are not presented within the context of an ad or commercial. You're not positioned as an ad but as the news. President and CEO, Anthony Mora, has been featured in: USA Today, Newsweek, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, The BBC, CNN, E! Entertainment Television, Entrepreneur, Fox News, MSNBC, and other media. He has written three books, the most the most recent, a how-to on PR called Spin to Win. For further information visit: http://www.topstorypublicrelations.com


Click here to visit Anthony's website
Dashed Line

More from Anthony Mora
How Important Is Traditional PR In The Age Of Social Media
How to Use the New Old Media to Build Your Business and Land More Clients
Promoting Your Movie via the Media
Sending Out Your Press Release
Fear and the Success Mindset


Related Forum Posts
Business Tips Business Tips - How about: Tips for managers to handle employees more effectively? Tips on how to deal with difficult customers? Tips on how to deal more effectively with suppliers? The only three I have in mind right now, but will try to come up with something else. Chris
Re: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD...RIGHT NOW!!! Re: THE SECRET TO SUCCESS IS ALL IN YOUR HEAD...RIGHT NOW!!! - Success = Thinking (Head) + Heart (Feeling / Interest) + Hand (doing/ action). Success - H3 Robert
Advertisement that sales Advertisement that sales - Plan your marketing programme. It should include commitment to capital resources. If you run a small business, you aren't likely to have a generous enough advertising budget that will allow you to run costly branding or campaign ads. Every advertisement you run must convey to your prospect a solid offer and attractive reasons to act quickly, and result in increased sales and an enhanced image of your company. Good advertising always pays its own way through increased sales and profits, improved cost-effectiveness, reduced selling costs and shortened selling cycles. A useful formula that will help you increase the effectiveness of your advertising efforts is A-I-D-A, which stands for Attention, Interest, Desire and Action. When creating an advertisement, always remind yourself that it should: (1) capture your prospects' Attention, (2) arouse their Interest in your offer, (3) create their Desire for your product or service, and (4) provide a powerful spur to Action, that is, turn your prospect into buyers. Remember, bad advertising is an unproductive expense, and good advertising is an investment in future profits!
Re: When does a trend become a legitimate business opportunity? Re: When does a trend become a legitimate business opportunity? - Moreover, I recall the time when bubble tea was the next big thing in Toronto... and then the market became flooded with new shops, only for the trend to die off and result in many failed small businesses. "Interest" and "confidence" are not enough to help a business stay above water.
Received my first Letter of Interest, What now? Received my first Letter of Interest, What now? - After blasting financial and VC firms with my executive summary, I have finally received my first Letter of Interest. I'm really excited that my work is finally starting to show results, but that makes me all the more cautious. The terms aren't very good, give up a little less than half of the company for less than a million dollars of funding. It also says I'll basically have to do what they say so they can 'protect' their interest. So my question is, how open are these letters of interest to negotiations? I really appreciate any information/advice from anyone who's been through the process so I don't sign up for something I will regret. Thanks!


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.



Featured Article


Bottom Footer
Share for a Cause












Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
Name:
Email:
Popular Articles

Fear Factors in Small Business: Sales & Marketing

LEARNING TO HAVE FUN – EVERYDAY!

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.