subject: Making The News: How To Get Media Attention For Your Speaking Engagement [print this page] When attempting to draw media attention to your public speaking engagement, consider the following:
Does your presentation benefit the greater good?
If so, how will you convey this? Journalists like stories that exemplify making a living while making a difference, instead of just making a buck. If this approach is new to you, brainstorm your topic's socially redeeming characteristics.
Is your topic unique, and of interest currently?
The media is receptive to innovation. Package yourself to stand out from the crowd. If you are a life or business coach, consider addressing prescient needs of the public, such as:
Help For Government Employees Facing Job Loss
Marketing Ideas for Earth Friendly Companies
Reprogramming the Fast Food Generation for Healthy Eating
Some topics are universally current, while others vary depending on location. Some issues of global concern include healthcare, public education, and the graying of the baby boomers who will dominate the population.
List some issues unique to your region, or to the current season. Your city may be recovering from a fire or hurricane, or experiencing a heat wave. It may be the holiday season. Geer your talk accordingly, for example: Taking the Stress and Expense Out of Christmas, or Recovering After a Natural Disaster.
Tips for Submitting Information to Media:
1. Have an accurate list of TV, Radio and Print/Online media with phone number, address, email and contact's name.
2. Contact media 6 to 8 weeks before the engagement. Submit press releases with specifics on your talk on one page. Be brief-they will use it for on air announcements or community calendars. On a separate page, describe who you are, what you do, and your missions' inherent value to all.
3. Check on their preferred submission method. Some have a form on line.
4. Consider local morning shows. Check them out, and reference having watched, addressing the host(s) personally. Some are short on guests and would welcome your presence.
5. The organization or group to whom you will be presenting often does the media relations. If so, provide them materials 6 or more months in advance. A series of pieces about your business and presentation could generate several news stories before your appearance.
6. Free give-aways draw media. You could give away a workshop to the first 5 people to arrive for your talk. If its summer time, you could give away paper fans with a free admission to your next training session printed on the fan.
7. If your product or service is a grass roots offering, focus on local media that covers a specific neighborhood or subdivision. They often have their own radio station, cable TV channel, and newspapers or sections within the big city newspaper.
8. Write an op-ed or guest editorial about your topic, but only a teaser. Don't give it all away. Submit this with the press release or separately.
9. Follow up soon after sending materials. Contact the correct person by phone, or go to their office/studio -introduce yourself.
10. When you land a spot on the air, inform other media. One appearance can generate another - on the same or following day.
11. Be set for last minute TV or radio show cancellations, or last minute requests to appear.
Your community presentations can be a great story for a radio interview or the 6 o'clock news. The media seeks to inspire their audience, to provide a positive spin on the challenging times in which we live. Fill that niche and you'll get plenty of exposure, moving your business forward and bringing more speaking opportunities.
