George S. May Business Blog

PR tips

PR is one of the most important ingredients in running a successful business. If people don’t know who you are, then obviously they can’t buy your product. Since most entrepreneurs have a hard time figuring out where to start, here are some tips for small business owners on how to start getting media attention.

 1.) Watch the industry. Study others who are successful and mirror your approach. For instance, if a competitor is using a technique that is getting a lot of hits to their website (tip of the day, contests, etc.) model your approach accordingly. Also, position yourself so that you can show off your expertise. The more you comment on articles and blog-posts, for instance, the more people who are interested in your industry will see your name. If you do it well, soon you will be looked at as an industry thought leader and they’ll be checking your blog daily.

 2.) Do something that will create news. Host a special event, make a major corporate announcement, conduct a workshop, author an e-book/whitepaper and do a press release about it.  There is nothing wrong with self-promotion. Even if you have just won an award, tell people about it. Furthermore, offer the same for your clients. Find opportunities where they can get interviewed for feature stories or help them find ways to make some news of their own and put it out similarly. You’ll make your clients happy and get your own name out further in the process.

3.) Have a theme/goal for your PR campaign to be centered around. Do you want to build a brand, drive traffic to your website, sell a subscription, be an expert, etc.? The best way to do that is tie your PR efforts into your business statement: I plan to use the publicity that I gain from my blog to position me as an expert in the field, thereby driving people to my website to buy my book.

4.) Make friends. Build relationships with people in both the local media as well as nationally. How? Start by using networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to connect with old colleagues from around the nation. You will be surprised how many people you know as a result, some of whom maybe in positions to help you or introduce you to someone who can. Write editors of your local papers and position yourself as a worthy source that they can go to for information, an exclusive interview or a breaking news story. A good article in the newspaper will do wonders for your public recognition.

I hope the above was helpful, I will continue to add points as I think of them. Please feel free to do the same.

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