Networking the Media

The media is a business's absolute best friend. It is THE source of information distribution to the masses. Even "bad" press has been known to stimulate business.

The media is a "business" just like any other business. It has a "product" (air space, print space or television space) and therefore must sell this product. And it is a "perishable" product. Most people don't think of the media as a "perishable" product but it is. Radio stations and television stations sell "time". Once that time has passed, you can't get it back. Newspapers and magazines sell "space". They have deadlines to meet to fill that space so that makes the space a perishable commodity.

This means that the media is ALWAYS looking for news to take up the time and space that they have. They are also, of course, looking for advertisers. For this article, lets look at helping them fill their time and space, and getting plugs for your business that are either free or very, very low cost.

1. The Press Release. This is THE most common type of free placement with the media. But many business professionals mistaken a press release for an ad. You get press releases for free - you pay for ads. Press releases need to be about information that is of interest to the public that frequents that media. It needs to announce something versus sell something. It needs to be written in a certain style with a certain focus. For more information about the proper way to structure a press release, see http://www.profnet.org/press.html.

2. Articles that you write. The media is always looking for new information to pass on to it's clients. You can help them by writing for them. Contact the business editor at the media of your choice and see what you know about that they might need an expert in. This is another FREE source of exposure for your firm. And you help the editor out as well.

3. Articles ABOUT you. This is what EVERYBODY wants from the media without thinking about "what's in it for them" from the media's side. There is no editor anywhere that can run as many articles about specific businesses as there are businesses wishing to have an article done for them. Articles are often bartered for something the media needs. They are also done when something really unique happens with a firm. Be the first in your area to offer a certain product or service, do something of an important nature politically, or socially, or have something unique that will appeal to the media's client base and you have a greater chance of getting a story done.

4. Joint Promos with the media. Contact the media in your area and offer to sponsor a joint promotion with them. Have a contest and give away tickets to major sporting or entertainment events (like concerts) in conjunction with your favorite radio station, newspaper, magazine or television station. If they have a "mobile unit" ask them to broadcast live from your site.

5. Buy space in odd places or at less desirable times. Everybody wants the "drive time" for radio (when people are driving to and from work). Everybody wants to advertise in "prime time" on television. And everybody wants to be on the front or back page in print media. I have seen radio stations GIVE time slots away that are at 3 o'clock in the morning just to fill the space. Form good relationships with your media contacts and these ads will not only help you but them as well. I personally have bought television time for as little as $4.00 for a 30 second spot. Amazing. Better than that though- EFFECTIVE.

Nancy Roebke, is the Executive Director of Profnet Inc, a professional business leads generation corporation. We bring business professionals together in a non-competitive environment to help each other make more money.

mailto:execdirector@profnet.org http://www.profnet.org

Copyright c Nancy Roebke

____________________

Advertisement: Honest Riches - Click Here!

Advertisement: Lost AdWords - Click Here!

Advertisement: Get $1 Million A Month In Google Pay-Per-Click Ads Free! - Click Here!

Advertisement: Who Loves Money? - Click Here!

Advertisement: SEO Elite, the GrandDaddy of SEO Software - Click Here!

---

8 Proven Ways to Get Referrals

Do you find it hard to ask for referrals? I know I do! Your heart starts racing, you stumble for words, and sometimes you break out in... Read More

What Are Focus Groups & How Do They Work?

Businesses and other organizations use focus groups to research consumer and public opinion concerning a variety of issues. Corporations look to focus groups for general help in... Read More

5 Ways to Market for Immediate Results

Sales are down, and I need more customers now! Sound familiar? Maybe you are the one who said it. I know what you're thinking, there's no magic... Read More

CRM System: Give Meaning to Your Data

A customer relationship system (CRM) system uses technologically-driven strategies to assess customer needs and buying behavior. This allows businesses to market their products and services more effectively.... Read More

How To Start A Mail Order Business

The Mail Order business is not a business of itself, but is another way of doing business. Mail Order is nothing more nor less than selling a... Read More

Words that Sell

We all know the English language contains hundreds of thousands of words. But did you know that only 21 of them can easily sell your clients? Yes!... Read More

15 Commandments Of Creating A Wealth Pulling Niche

Niches are like bathrooms; you never notice them until you need one." - Primm (From NicheBrain.com)Fact: The person who finds or creates a special niche... Read More

Why Surveying Matters

What is the single most important thing you can do as a business owner? That is a question that this week I think I have found an... Read More

Your Secret Marketing Weapon

As a professional service provider, you're paid for what you know. People come to your firm for the expertise you offer, first and foremost. Did you also... Read More

The 30 Incredible Ways To Sell Your Products Now and Sell More

How to sell more and sell quickly online for your products and service? Here is the long list for your reference. 1. Turn your ad copy... Read More

Top 7 Ways to Get Your Products in the Hands of Celebrities

Celebrities are the tastemakers that drive brand awareness and usage. Celebrities drive the direction of trends. For example there has been a huge resurgence in the Pabst... Read More

Inform vs. Excite

excite v. 1 a: to call to activity b: to arouse to feeling 2 a: ENERGIZE b: to produce a magnetic field in 3: to increase the... Read More

Your Headlines Are Key To Your Success Or Failure. Do You Know What To Write?

Most professional copywriters would say that headlines account for 80% percent of more of the effectiveness of an ad or sales letter.After all, it's the headline that... Read More

Mortgage Marketing - Viral-Email, Referral Marketing Strategy

This is a devastatingly powerful way to extend your marketing reach. For this to work right you need a website that promotes your business.It doesn't have to... Read More

Slogans: Creating and Using Them In Life, Career and Business

Information is coming at us from all directions nowadays. This pace requires us to demand that we receive it fast and predigested in order to inch ahead... Read More

How to Add Warmth, Color & Texture to Your Advertisements

"?A powerful agent is the right word?" --Mark TwainAnd what true words those are! Your marketing efforts have the ability to succeed?or to fail?based on the words... Read More

Resistances To Marketing a Practice-Part 1

If you are a therapist, counselor, or an alternative or complementary health practitioner (naturopath, homeopathetic doctor, massage therapist, body worker, etc.), in all likelihood, you are not... Read More

Write It and They Will Come ? 5 Ways that Written Information Products Can Help You Build Your Busin

Whether it's a downloadable report available from your website, a book sold in the bookstore or a brochure that you hand out at a trade show, an... Read More

Ten Effective Ways to Capture Market

1.Evaluation of Existing Products / Therapies2.Assessment of New Products3.Market assessment of products for the defined markets ofBF- RoW with the objective of providing insight and directionfor short... Read More

FREE Means MORE Business

Why give freebies?We have all seen freebies at trade shows and we have all probably seen the person that goes from booth to booth collecting as much... Read More

How to Create a Countdown Marketing Calendar

Just like there are reverse dictionaries, there is a reason to create a count down calendar. A count down calendar starts with Franklin Covey's philosophy, "start with... Read More

When You Need More Than Magic To Keep Your Marketing Going

It is easy to focus on what remains outstanding and not seewhat you have accomplished or how you have grown over thepast year. Even marketing experts have... Read More

Survival Strategies

1. Do the moneymaking things first.For an entrepreneur, generating income is the most important job. Without income, your business will cease to exist.2. Develop a sales and... Read More

Custom Lanyards - The Perfect Solution for Promotion, Branding, and Marketing

Lanyards are fast becoming the new "must have" promotional item.Events organisers in the UK are realising the potential that custom printed lanyards can have in brand awareness.... Read More

Marketing to Women -- Can I Buy You A Clue?

A while back a small business owner paid me a visit. He wanted help marketing his fitness business to women. Before we even started talking, he handed... Read More

The Name Game

Pop quiz! If you have to say goodbye to your hard earned money to purchase something you've always wanted, who would you rather trust: an unknown provider... Read More