Small Press Month: Media Promotion Pt1

Become Newsworthy

It's easy to make yourself newsworthy.

What is news? It is something other people want to know. From an author’s point of view, it gives the readers a ‘human interest’ story that touches a part of their lives. Something they may not ‘do’ on their own, but want to read about other people doing. This is the ‘feel good’ story.

They also want to read about people who are finding success, breaking out of the box, reaching their goals. If you can write a story that tells how you did this, then the newspaper will be interested.

Focus on the Media's Needs

The format is important. The story should talk about someone who is participating in an event, organize/support/oppose or observe a trend or activity. You can also tell a human interest story.

Newspapers, magazines, radio producers, and web managers are stressed, trying to come up with new stories every day, every week, every month. It isn’t easy. In many cases, they can’t even think of different ideas to explore. A writer or small business owner can turn in an idea that may seem ‘small’ but has never been explored.

Many newspapers want prewritten stories. An author who can send a story that is written, with the offer to write more, or to adjust this story to fit a theme will get more press than an author who just pitches ideas.

Your Achievements

The story must touch on your achievements and what the event/story achieved. This is a goal that can be sold. When you help editors sell their papers, you become an alie.
When you have credentials they can use to twist or promote a story, then you might receive several calls for articles and help.

Topics To Write About

•Organizing a public event
•Achieve recognition
•Release of a book
•Do something with/for a charity
•Perform a service for the community
•Offer a service
•Hosting an open house
•Being present at news events
•Join/take leadership in a community service organization
•Offering apprenticeships, training programs, classes,
•Teach, lecture, or present at a conference
•Win a contest

Most mail sent to editors ends up in the trash. The first step needs to be to contact them and ask if you can send information. Use a specific editor’s name and ask them if they are the right editor. The biggest pet peeve in the media biz is a writer who doesn’t take the time to find the right editor.

How Not to Get Publicity:

•Focus on you, not the community
•Do little more than talk about your service or book
•Do not use a grammar/style similar to what already appears in that periodical.
•Use the wrong editor’s name
•Make the article/press release too long, too short. (ask the editor)
•Not sending the report early enough. Suggest a Christmas story in June, earlier if you are pitching to a magazine.







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