Find Out What is Missing from Your PR Plan
Marsha Friedman, Chief Executive Officer of EMSI, a national public relations firm says "From my experience it seems that the missing thing in many people's pr plan is positioning. If you perfectly position your product you will maximize your media exposure and media opportunities." Friedman adds, "What do I mean by positioning? It is simply the art of presenting your book, product or service to the media in such a way as to convey an immediate interest and understanding of the subject. This will position your topic next to other hot and similar news stories!which will really help people have a quick and simple understanding of your topic. Positioning has been used for decades by Madison Avenue with much success, yet there is little understanding of it. When it comes to writing a release to attract media attention - radio, television, and print - the rules of press release writing need to be!well!.rewritten.
Marsha Friedman says, "You always need to put a well-thought out strategy, mixed with creativity into the presentation of your product and service to the media. Let's face it. The competition will always grow exponentially, so you need to get aggressive. But, positioning is the missing link that will pull you through." Let's let Marsha Friedman share some tips that her firm uses to position her clients at EMSI:
1. Make sure that the materials you will be supplying the media with will present a good, clear communication of your message and it's relevance in today's world.
2. Really look at what you are actually promoting and find the "hot" pieces of information that really put it in front of the pack. Find out what is ground breaking about it.
3. Take a close look at the media and see how other items like yours are being handled and portrayed. Are they being treated well? Ignored?
4. Then start writing your press release! Make sure that you get all of these "pearls" of wisdom down on a two page (maximum) release and slap an eye-catching headline at the top. The audience of your press release is a very inundated producer, so make it eye catching!
5. Don't require the producer or editor to use their imagination to see how the topic would be of interest to their listeners/viewers/readers. Give them an instant concept of the show or article you are suggesting.
6. Don't send out the same release to the different media. Remember that they are each looking for something different. A 20 minute interview on a talk radio show is not the same as a 5 minute television news interview.
7. Always include those special features about yourself (or your spokesperson) that make you an authority on the topic; why you would make a good guest (and not put the audience to sleep) and what questions could be asked during the interview.
8. Radio releases can be "salesy", although they should give all of the information a host will need to do the show - a clear concept of the show topic, background data on the subject, sample questions and a separate page for your bio.
Marsha Friedman says, "Lastly, bear in mind that no matter how good your press materials are, without a good follow-up campaign by phone, your efforts may not pay off. You should realize that these are busy, busy, busy people. So many times your release will not even pass their eyes. If you want to get your press release noticed, you will need to call them to follow up. This will definitely put you heads and shoulders ahead of the pack."
If you would like to learn more about gaining national or local media attention for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Friedman is here to help . Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a public relations expert Marsha Friedman has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without monthly retainers .
Marsha Friedman has been a leading authority on public relations for nearly two decades as CEO of Event Management Services, Inc (EMSI). If you would like to receive her free Ebook "How to Be a Great Talk Radio Guest" visit http://www.emsincorporated.com.
Published April 10th, 2008
Filed in Advertising