| I was recently lucky enough to be part of a | | | | picked up pretty quickly! If you have a fashion business |
| brainstorming session conducted by a professional and | | | | for example, run a media release close to the |
| very successful Public Relations Expert. I want to | | | | Melbourne Cup talking about this year's fashion. |
| share some of the information that came out of that | | | | Send it on up |
| session - tips used by the experts themselves to get | | | | Most media releases are sent by email these days. Be |
| their clients' media releases read, and published. | | | | sure however, not to send your media release as an |
| Spread the News | | | | attachment. Many a reporter has been stung by a |
| Make your press release say something. No one | | | | virus this way and no will not open anything with an |
| wants to read boring articles, so make sure your | | | | attachment. Ensure your press release goes to the |
| media release is actually newsworthy. Simply stating | | | | appropriate journalist as a full email. |
| that your business is open, won't cut it. (Unless of | | | | Contact me please! |
| course the place that publishes it have no readership | | | | Believe it or not, many people forget to put their |
| and nothing else to report on!) Have an event such as | | | | contact details on a press release! Ensure you have |
| a grand opening. Many companies have a grand | | | | full contact details either at the top of the release or at |
| opening or a special day where they use a gimmick of | | | | the bottom. This includes any addresses and full |
| some sort and invite the media to come along. Some | | | | contact numbers - not just a mobile phone number. |
| places invite radio stations to broadcast from their | | | | Try to keep your press release to one page and |
| place of business for a certain amount of time. You | | | | ensure that no blatant advertising is included. Follow up |
| can also sponsor a sporting event, partner with a | | | | with each journalist that received your media release |
| charity or tie your media release into a particular event | | | | until you receive an answer from them. |
| at the time. For example, as I write this, interest rates | | | | Using publicity as part of your marketing strategy and |
| are about to be cut for the first time in 7 years. If you | | | | your marketing mix can bring in plenty of free business |
| can use this to your advantage in your business, then | | | | - so ensure you get the basics right the first time! |
| send out a media release. Chances are, it will be | | | | |