Skip to main content

Original text


Powered by Google TranslateTranslate
Powered by Google TranslateTranslate
Journalists Reveal How to Get Publicity for Your Business
by Rieva Lesonsky
>
May 10, 2022
Rating
professional cameraman and journalist interviewing businessman near office building

Getting publicity for your small business can seem like a daunting task. Today, print journalism, broadcast journalism, and online journalism have created more outlets to target than ever before. However, the results of good PR are so valuable that it's well worth the effort to obtain. A recent survey of journalists asking what they look for when deciding what topics to cover has some useful information that can help you succeed.

First, here's a reality check: The majority of journalists (47.5 percent) receive about 100 business-related emails a day; more than one-third get about 200 emails, and nearly 15 percent get between 250 and 499 business-related emails per day. (That’s me—I'm currently at 300+.). In contrast, the majority of journalists get between one and four-pitch phone calls per day. That means while email is definitely the most convenient way for you to send your pitch, it's not necessarily the best way to stand out.

How do journalists find the stories they decide to cover?

Apparently, the way everyone else finds things: is by doing Google searches. Google is the top-ranked source for story ideas, cited by 20 percent of journalists in the study. However, pitches from sources came in second, cited by 18 percent of journalists. “Breaking news” ranked third on the list, followed by social media and finally by press releases.

What makes a difference when journalists evaluate you or your business as a potential source or topic?

  • 77 percent want sources that are recognized experts in their field
  • 49.4 percent look for original research they can share
  • 34.5 percent want their sources to have well-developed media materials, such as an online press kit
  • Personal connections, such as developing a professional relationship with a journalist, are also an important factor in who gets written about.

What lessons can you take away from this survey that will help you get publicity for your business? Speaking as a journalist myself, here are my two cents:

  • Get to know the journalist you're pitching. I don't necessarily mean actually getting to know them (although that certainly can't hurt); I mean getting to know what they prefer. For example, I get hundreds of emails a day, but calling me on the phone doesn't make me more likely to write about your business — it just adds to my stress level! On the other hand, I'm sure there are many journalists who like to get phone calls. If you're contacting a journalist, most will include some indication of how they prefer to be contacted on their media website. Don't forget about basic courtesies, such as spelling someone's name correctly and getting the name of their media outlet right.
  • Develop a reputation as an industry expert. Surprisingly, having written a book — often considered the mark of an expert — only matters to about 8 percent of journalists in the study. Instead, you can develop a reputation by speaking at industry events, boosting your profile on social media by sharing and posting useful information for those in your industry, and by doing original research.
  • “Original research” isn't as intimidating as it may sound. You don't have to conduct a scientific experiment: You just have to share some information, such as the results of a survey of your customers or interesting statistics you’ve noted in your business. For example, if you own a children's toy store, surveying your customers about the toys that will be most popular for the upcoming holiday season is “original research” that local journalists will be interested in.
  • Work on your website. Start by boosting your SEO. Not only does search engine optimization help you get customers, it can also help you get the attention of journalists searching on Google. Next, set up an online press kit in the “About” section of your website with all of the information that a journalist might want about you, your business mission, your startup story — whatever makes your business stand out from the pack.

Need help getting your business noticed — by journalists or customers? Talk to the expert mentors at www.score.org

SHARE THIS ARTICLE
About the author
Rieva Lesonsky
Rieva Lesonsky is president and CEO of GrowBiz Media, a custom content and media company focusing on small business and entrepreneurship, and the blog SmallBusinessCurrents.com.
Read full bio
A group of businessmen and women are glad about the success of the company.
What Makes a PR Pitch Work?
What are journalists and other members of the media looking for when they read your business’s press release?
Group of diverse colleagues talking together during an office pr
The 4 WHYs of Public Relations
To generate media interest in your story, think like a journalist creating a story that’s newsworthy and then “selling” it to media. Here are tips for DIY PR.
CONNECT
712 H St NE PMB 98848
}
Washington, DC 20002
1-800-634-0245

Copyright © 2024 SCORE Association, SCORE.org

Funded, in part, through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. All opinions, and/or recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SBA.

Chat generously provided by:LiveChat

In partnership with
Jump back to top