Imagine your product appearing in an article in a top glossy magazine or national newspaper. Even better - imagine if you paid next to nothing for the privilege of having your product mentioned by a journalist - often deemed far more credible than an advert as well!
This is what great PR is all about - getting your product featured in magazines and newspapers for less than paying out for an advert. But how?
Well you can do this by investing in a media database. You can create one yourself, or purchase a database such as the Parenting Database, as featured on my website at www.getinthepress.com.
It really is worth investing in a quality media database. If you are targeting the parenting sector or women's sector then this database is perfect for you.
If you are unsure of who to contact, or simply don't have the time to trawl through and find the right editorial person to speak to then this Parenting Database can help.
http://www.parentingmagazinecontacts.co.uk/
A media database should contain the names, phone numbers and email addresses (as well as addresses) of the journalists on each magazine, newspaper, website or radio or TV station you need. Some editorial teams have around 10 members of staff on them - tracking down the one you need can be tricky. Even more so when freelancers are involved!
The Parenting Database has over 200 journalists contacts waiting to hear about your business. The database includes national newspapers, women's magazines, parenting and pregnancy magazines, regional magazines, radio and TV.
Take a look at this link for more information on the database, and start having instant access at your fingertips to spread the word about your business TODAY!
http://www.parentingmagazinecontacts.co.uk/
Sunday 27 February 2011
Tuesday 15 February 2011
Feeling low about your PR?
We all have days when we feel really lost about our business. It could be the weather, perhaps low sales or just the way you are feeling.
But remember these magic words a wise old lady once told me:
"You can turn your business around within a week".
And repeat. "You can turn your business around within a week".
How?
1. Look at your current customers. Who are they? How do they find you? Do they come back for more? Your current customers are your best customers - they already know you so invest some time with them. Offer them a discount for repeat business, ask them to recommend a friend and offer a prize draw for everyone. Send them a newsletter telling them about a new product.
2. Who uses your product? Why do they need your product? Draw a spidergram, and just doodle ideas as to why someone would use your product. Does it save them time? Perhaps it makes them feel good, does it offer health benefits? Then use these ideas to help you work out how to tap into your target audience.
3. Do you subscribe to any media requests outlets? Is your contact database up to date? It is worth spending time and money on your contacts. This after all, is what good PR is about. Have good contacts, take time to get to know them.
4. What can you offer a journalist? Remember, journalists need people like you and me to provide them with news, feature ideas, competition prizes, statistics etc. Offer them value. Think how you can help them.
5. And finally - remember that journalists are always on the look out for new contacts and products to feature in their magazines. Don't give up.
Still need a PR Boost? Contact me about my PR Coaching to help you.
But remember these magic words a wise old lady once told me:
"You can turn your business around within a week".
And repeat. "You can turn your business around within a week".
How?
1. Look at your current customers. Who are they? How do they find you? Do they come back for more? Your current customers are your best customers - they already know you so invest some time with them. Offer them a discount for repeat business, ask them to recommend a friend and offer a prize draw for everyone. Send them a newsletter telling them about a new product.
2. Who uses your product? Why do they need your product? Draw a spidergram, and just doodle ideas as to why someone would use your product. Does it save them time? Perhaps it makes them feel good, does it offer health benefits? Then use these ideas to help you work out how to tap into your target audience.
3. Do you subscribe to any media requests outlets? Is your contact database up to date? It is worth spending time and money on your contacts. This after all, is what good PR is about. Have good contacts, take time to get to know them.
4. What can you offer a journalist? Remember, journalists need people like you and me to provide them with news, feature ideas, competition prizes, statistics etc. Offer them value. Think how you can help them.
5. And finally - remember that journalists are always on the look out for new contacts and products to feature in their magazines. Don't give up.
Still need a PR Boost? Contact me about my PR Coaching to help you.
Tuesday 8 February 2011
To email or not to email?
Should you email or post your press release out?
The majority of journalists prefer press releases to be sent out via email these days - although be careful you don't clog up their inbox with images.
But then do remember that journalists receive hundreds of press releases every day, so your release could get lost. So if you have the budget, you may prefer to post your press release initially - particularly until you have built up a relationship with your journalist.
Overall though, you can't beat a good mix of talking to journalists over the telephone, popping them a quick email and taking time to build up your relationship. That is imperative in PR. Building the relationship can lead to some fantastic PR coverage.
Remember - journalists and editors are human. They are doing a job. They need to find newsworthy stories, facts and quotes to fill their pages. So try to think that when you approach your media contacts, you are in fact trying to help them by providing newsworthy features.
Hope that helps.
“If professional PR is what you are looking for, then you have come to the right place by hiring Julie. Julie is warm, friendly, patient and took the time to familiarize herself with my business and the result was a very professional engaging PR. Thank you ever so much Julie” x x
Sherene Murray, Tee's Caribbean Recipe Kits.
The majority of journalists prefer press releases to be sent out via email these days - although be careful you don't clog up their inbox with images.
But then do remember that journalists receive hundreds of press releases every day, so your release could get lost. So if you have the budget, you may prefer to post your press release initially - particularly until you have built up a relationship with your journalist.
Overall though, you can't beat a good mix of talking to journalists over the telephone, popping them a quick email and taking time to build up your relationship. That is imperative in PR. Building the relationship can lead to some fantastic PR coverage.
Remember - journalists and editors are human. They are doing a job. They need to find newsworthy stories, facts and quotes to fill their pages. So try to think that when you approach your media contacts, you are in fact trying to help them by providing newsworthy features.
Hope that helps.
“If professional PR is what you are looking for, then you have come to the right place by hiring Julie. Julie is warm, friendly, patient and took the time to familiarize herself with my business and the result was a very professional engaging PR. Thank you ever so much Julie” x x
Sherene Murray, Tee's Caribbean Recipe Kits.
Tuesday 1 February 2011
News and inspirational tips for your PR Plan.........
News, editorial requests and tips for creating your own PR Plan......
This month, I've got my clients featured in Woman's Own, The Sun, Real Parenting and more....and you can do it too. Make sure you really know your customers and the typical media they will use. Understand the magazines and newspapers, really spend time looking through them, making a note of articles and features that you would love to get involved in. Keep your media database up-to-date and send out regular press releases to your contacts. You may like to consider investing in a media database - ask me for more details.
Work in Advance
Big monthly magazines are working on April and May issues now - so make sure you are thinking creatively with that in mind.
Consider Competitions
A great way to secure some coverage - competitions add value to a magazine. Just remember to find out what the minimum prize value is of prizes that you will need to contribute to secure some coverage.
Don't Be Afraid to Help - remember, journalists need people like you and me to supply them with ideas, opinions, stats and figures. They rely on people supplying them with information to fill their pages. Think about how many newspapers, magazines, web-pages etc there are every week. And how many pages there are to be filled with news. So think creatively and you could be appearing on those pages and drawing people to your business.
Get a Media Pack
Be organised and invest in a media pack. Take time to write a press release on your company, a biography and get some good photographs taken of you and your products. Have them ready as a PDF to send out to journalists.
Case Studies - a great way to secure some coverage for business. If you are happy to take part in features, to give your opinion or views on something, this is a fantastic way to plug your business AND have a fun day out too. Every day I receive requests from journalists looking for people to comment, interview or take part in a feature. Please email me for more details of this.
Take a look - here's a piece of coverage on our client BaBeeCard - a great example of using PR creatively. We contacted the editor and proposed this article, which we wrote and sent it - and hey presto! A perfect piece of coverage for a fraction of the cost of advertising.
http://www.realparenting.co.uk/pt_get_financially_savvy.htm
This month, I've got my clients featured in Woman's Own, The Sun, Real Parenting and more....and you can do it too. Make sure you really know your customers and the typical media they will use. Understand the magazines and newspapers, really spend time looking through them, making a note of articles and features that you would love to get involved in. Keep your media database up-to-date and send out regular press releases to your contacts. You may like to consider investing in a media database - ask me for more details.
Work in Advance
Big monthly magazines are working on April and May issues now - so make sure you are thinking creatively with that in mind.
Consider Competitions
A great way to secure some coverage - competitions add value to a magazine. Just remember to find out what the minimum prize value is of prizes that you will need to contribute to secure some coverage.
Don't Be Afraid to Help - remember, journalists need people like you and me to supply them with ideas, opinions, stats and figures. They rely on people supplying them with information to fill their pages. Think about how many newspapers, magazines, web-pages etc there are every week. And how many pages there are to be filled with news. So think creatively and you could be appearing on those pages and drawing people to your business.
Get a Media Pack
Be organised and invest in a media pack. Take time to write a press release on your company, a biography and get some good photographs taken of you and your products. Have them ready as a PDF to send out to journalists.
Case Studies - a great way to secure some coverage for business. If you are happy to take part in features, to give your opinion or views on something, this is a fantastic way to plug your business AND have a fun day out too. Every day I receive requests from journalists looking for people to comment, interview or take part in a feature. Please email me for more details of this.
Take a look - here's a piece of coverage on our client BaBeeCard - a great example of using PR creatively. We contacted the editor and proposed this article, which we wrote and sent it - and hey presto! A perfect piece of coverage for a fraction of the cost of advertising.
http://www.realparenting.co.uk/pt_get_financially_savvy.htm
Press Coverage in Woman's Own
Would you love to be featured in Woman's Own for next to nothing?
In this week's issue of Woman's Own (issue 31st Jan) I have got one of my client's a fantastic bit of coverage for the fraction of the cost of paying for an advert.
It's on the Good Deal's guide, p43 for the BaBeeCard.
How did I do it?? Keep in touch with the journalists, get to know your audience and the publications they will read. Build up a relationship with the journalist. It also helps to have good photo's, quotes and comments at the ready. Get those press releases ready and think of the different angles you could write about.
Download my Free PR Guide from www.getinthepress.com
Julie Sherwood
http://www.getinthepress.com
In this week's issue of Woman's Own (issue 31st Jan) I have got one of my client's a fantastic bit of coverage for the fraction of the cost of paying for an advert.
It's on the Good Deal's guide, p43 for the BaBeeCard.
How did I do it?? Keep in touch with the journalists, get to know your audience and the publications they will read. Build up a relationship with the journalist. It also helps to have good photo's, quotes and comments at the ready. Get those press releases ready and think of the different angles you could write about.
Download my Free PR Guide from www.getinthepress.com
Julie Sherwood
http://www.getinthepress.com
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