Free Publicity uses PitchRate for media leads. Have a look at some of the current journalist requests:Now that you can see what journalists are looking for, you need to know how to take advantage of it to sell your book or grow your business. These simple steps will help you turn media attention into sales:
1. Luck is when preparation meets opportunity. We've brought you the opportunity, now get prepared to be lucky!
- Know who you are, what you do and how to express it in the most succinct and interesting way possible. Preparing quick, short answers (AKA soundbites) before you're interviewed is a good idea. Sandra Beckwith, PR writer, speaker and author, offers tips for crafting soundbites on her blog Build Buzz. Remember - great first impressions will win the day.
- Put together a press kit including a press release that tells your story clearly, and any relevant photographs or clippings. An on-line press kit is a great way to keep this information organized and ready at a moments notice. While there are some sites that offer this service for free, PressKit 24/7 is a great user-friendly, low-cost option.
- When you sign up for PitchRate.com's free PR service take some time to create your profile. Your PitchRate profile is attached to every pitch you make. In order to make the best use of the resource, you need to make sure yours will grab the media's attention.
- Write a great bio: The cornerstone of your profile is your bio, so make sure it's interesting and creative. Writing your own bio can be a daunting task and Joan Stewart, publicity expert, trainer and consultant, offers some great advice about how to do it right on her blog. In your profile, you should also include links to your website and any other relevant documents for journalists, such as photos or press releases - this is where your on-line press kit comes in handy.
2. Make Pitches
- Getting PR is a numbers game, so make lots of pitches and tailor each to the request. Even professional publicists have to pitch lots of jounalists in order to get a placment. Don't get disouraged if your first few pitches don't get the response you're hoping for. Persistance pays.
- When you pitch journalists, keep it short and stay on topic.
- Be creative. Embrace your quirks and make a strong impression
- Here's how you turn media attention into sales. Once you've landed the interview with your well-crafted pitch and a press kit that pops, you have the opportunity to talk about your book or business. Through memorable soundbites you become the go-to expert in your niche. If you're unsure of how well this can work, have a look at what CNN Money has to say about advertising vs. PR.
- When following up with a journalist, always provide something else of value.
