How to get any business on the 6:00 Television News

We can't always depend on public relations working however if you can master the media it can be very powerful for your bottom line. If you are a small business owner PR is your number 1 guerilla marketing tactic.

Rule # 1) start with the local media! Your local press is always looking for good stories. Many of the local media companies are owned by national media companies. If the story has national interest it has the possibility of getting picked up by the national press. Your local media outlets are much more open to hearing your pitch than CNN or Oprah.

Rule # 2) It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out which media to choose to pitch, however it does require thought. Television tend to follow newspapers and today many Internet blogs and web sites are leading the way. If you look at how fast the news breaks the electronic airwaves tend to dominate. Does your story have visual appeal? And for what medium?

Rule #3) Know who to ask for at the media outlets. If you are going to speak with the newspaper you will want to contact the specific reporter who covers your local story weather it be a sports writer, local news writer or an entertainment writer. In television you will want to ask for the "assignment editor" or the "assignment desk" to pitch your story to.

Rule # 4) Make your story relevant and give it a hook! If you are a masseur and there is a marathon on your city each year create an event for the marathon runners where they can get free massages after the race and explain to them that they can take better care of their bodies by using massages. Then call the TV station and let them know that you, Mr. Expert Masseur will be holding this event (hook) after the marathon for runners who have completed the marathon with back pain.

Rule # 5) News media has to sell stories. When they do this they tell you to sick around to not change the channel because they have a "new" back pain solution that you don't want to miss. If you tell this to the assignment editor he will apprecite it because you are really helping him shape the story for his broadcast and keep his viewers on his channel. He needs ratings!

Rule # 6) There has to be something in it for the viewers, we call this a payoff. Because the marathon has a lot of visability in the town and most people know at least a few participants, the payoff for the atheletes is that they can solve their back pain with the proper care and treatment. The television station would love to do this type of a story since it benefits members of their community.

Rule # 7) Tell them you want to make a fast story pitch! 9 out of 10 producers, assignment editors and reporters will say yeas to 30 seconds, but not if they are on deadline. If they do say yes have your duicks in a row and start talking and doln't shut up until they tell you to. If they like the story they will tell you. They will ask for mor einformation. If they say e-mail it into news@newsstation.com that means it won't make their broadcast. If they ask you to mail it to their e-mail directly you stand a better chance.

Conclusion, all businesses have the opportunity to get in the news. It helps when you know how to navigate the newsroom like a professional.

About the Author

If you want to brand your company and get on the local TV news learn from a media insider how to be a master at media with Home Study Course on PR or listen to the Free Interview Click here to get your own unique version of this article.

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