It’s a little-known fact and a rarely-practiced strategy, but you can be your own public relations advocate. Whether you are a solo agent or you have a team and can delegate the task, there are a few simple steps you can take to connect with the press and become a media superstar. You don’t have to spend thousands to hire a public relations firm to have contacts in the press, and you don’t have to become a relentless self-promoter. You just have to have the right tools in your arsenal and know how to use them.
2. What is Public Relations?
• A way to communicate with the media and your
community without
blasting them with
advertising messages
• A way to promote your
business to new
audiences
• A way to be recognized
as the local expert
8. As Consumers, We: As Salespeople, We:
• Skip commercials using
DVRs
• Subscribe to services with
commercial-free music
• Place ourselves on Do-Not-
Call list
• Throw out junk mail
• Use spam filters and delete
unread e-mails
• Use pop-up blockers
• Buy ad time on radio and TV
• Teach new salespeople to
prospect by cold calling
• Send out “Just Listed” and
“Just Sold” cards
• Buy e-mail lists and send out
newsletters to people who
don’t know us
• Buy online ads
• Mail unsolicited mailings to
geographic farms
9. Interruptive Marketing =
Out of Control?
How many SPAM
emails per day?
What do you do with
Direct Mail?
Do you have a
TiVo or DVR
device?
• The drive to class this
morning?
• Wake up and delete – first
act of the day?
• Sort your mail over
your trash can
• Do you skip
commercials? Is there
a generational divide?
19. Make Note of:
• Name
• Email addresses
• Twitter handles
• Publication/station for which they
write/work
• Type of article they write
20. Connecting with the Media
The Best Ways to Connect
• Old school: via email – still the best way to
submit press release
• New school: via social
media channels,
especially twitter
22. Email
• Introduce yourself – once
• Compliment a recent story
• Story ideas – a brief mention
of your area of expertise
• And of course, press releases...in the future
23. Social Media
• Find them…
• Engage with them…
• Converse with them…
(encourage interaction!)
• Let them know you’re reading them
• Scoop them!
29. Press Release Dos and Don’ts
The DOs
• DO write in the 3rd person
• DO proofread for spelling, grammar and
punctuation
• DO stay on topic
• DO include appropriate images – max of 3
• DO include two to three personal quotes
• DO email your release in the body of an email
(NOT as an attachment)
• DO keep it short & concise – no more than 1 page
30. Press Release Dos and Don’ts
The DON’Ts
• DON’T give your entire personal bio – keep the
information relevant to the subject of the release
• DON’T underestimate the value of a great
headline
• DON’T send it more than one week before the
event or your desired run-time
• DON’T submit a release riddled with spelling,
grammar & punctuation mistakes
• DON’T forget the follow-up
31. Where to Send Your Release
Reporter/editor
Geography
Subject matter
32. Getting the Word Out: When?
When to Write a Press Release:
• You’re hosting an event that will interest your
area at large
• You’re hosting an event that will benefit a local
group or charity
• You’ve won a prestigious award OR you’ve hit a
major milestone in your career (keep in mind that self-
serving press releases like these should be reserved for MAJOR
accomplishments)
• Other major newsworthy piece
45. Video for PR
People love videos – here’s why:
• See your smile, hear your voice
• Shows your personality
• Shows your on-camera skills
• Builds:
– Trust
– Credibility
– Likability
46. Consumers & Video
• Increase length of time they’re on your
site
• Increase your likelihood of being found
• Build trust and credibility
• Help potential clients feel like they know
you
47. Video Tips
• DO a few practice runs
• DO find your best light and test the sound
• DO get over “not liking” yourself on video
• DO stick to your area of expertise – talk about
what you know
• DO post to YouTube and then share via your
blog, social media, etc.
• DON’T underestimate the power of video
48. How Should We Be Using Video?
• Lead Response Video
• Video Testimonials from Clients
• FAQs (Frequently ANSWERED Questions)
• Neighborhood Videos
• Videos of Events
• In moderation:
– About Me/Us
– Fun
51. “We take most of the money that we could have
spent on paid advertising and instead put it back
into the customer experience. Then we let the
customers be our marketing.”
~ Tony Hsieh,
CEO, Zappos.com
59. PR is Hyper-Local
Ask yourself:
• Where is my area of expertise?
• What is my niche?
• Why should others see me as the expert?
• How can I position myself
as the expert in my market?
• How can I communicate my expertise to the
media & consumers?