Tag: how to get press

9 Publicity Ideas for Your Small Business

November 12, 2015 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

Right now is a good time to pitch a story to your local business reporter in hopes of getting some press for your company in December and January. Even if you sell online and internationally, never discount the power of your local market.

Here are some headlines you could pitch or maybe one of these will inspire one of your own:

December PR Ideas

How This Local Business is Pulling Out all the Stops for the Holiday Shopping Season
Local Company to Host Food and Toy Drive
Was Black Friday a Boom or Bust for These Small Businesses
Why You Should Shop These Local Businesses This Christmas Season

January PR Ideas

How a Bad Winter Could Impact These Local Businesses
Challenges and Wins in 2022 for Local Companies
Our Favorite Local Small Businesses of 2022
What These Local Companies Plan to Do Differently in 2023
Advice for Starting a Business in 2023, from 5 Local Small Business Owners

As I have always said, you have to give a reporter a compelling and timely story headline (and then show how your company would fit in the story) as this makes it easier for them to see the value in the pitch.

My Publicity Planner is part of my Marketing Planner Bundle, and it will help you create, plan, and organize your pitches.

Good luck and let me know if you have success!

How to Pitch Your Products to the Media

July 19, 2013 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

Want to know how to pitch your products to the media.

I constantly have customers asking me this. As I have stated many times, you have to pitch a story, not a product. Writers are looking for stories, so you have to give them one or at least put an idea in their head.

Here are some recent story ideas that might help you see the types of editorial writers are looking for, and whether you can tailor the pitch to something you sell.

Keep in mind, if you are pitching to blogs they are currently working on articles for August, but magazines in print are working on November/December issues, so story ideas should be relevant to the time of year the piece will come out.

Recent Blog Headlines for Jewelry/Fashion

Summer Tops Under $50
Trend Alert: Turquoise Jewelry
Lightweight Bags for Summer
Cake Jewelry: The Best Adorable Deliciousness Etsy Has to Offer

Recent Blog Headlines for Kids/Babies

Diaper Bag Essentials for Moms on the Move
Picks for a Healthy Baby Nursery
Kids Party Idea: Yellow Sunshine
Fourth of July Style for Kids

Recent Blog Headlines for Vintage

Creating an Herb Garden Using Vintage Tins
Vintage Posters That Make You Want to Travel
Tips for Buying Vintage Jewelry
Using Vintage Finds in Your Wedding

Recent Blog Headlines for Home Decor

Buying Wall Art: The Best Typography Prints for Your Home
10 Ways to Love Neon in Your Home
Decorating Solution for the Stylish Renter
These Adorable Art Prints are Sealed with a Kiss

Recent Blog Headlines for Weddings

10 Jaw Dropping Wedding Gowns Under $500
Add a Bit of British to Your Big Day
Wedding Inspiration and Ideas from Romantic Movies
Terrific Travel Theme Wedding Ideas

Recent Blog Headlines for Pets

How to Include a Pet at a Wedding
July Must-Haves for Your Pet
The Best Low-Fat, Organic Treats for Your Dog
Sweet Cat Collars from Etsy

Recent Blog Headlines for Beauty

10 Products That Will Cool You Down from Head to Toe
Suite Up for Comic-Con with Cartoon Inspired Nail Art
Makeup Tools that Won’t Break the Bank
10 Nail Polish Colors That Will Remind You of Sand and Sea

FINAL WORD: Grab inspiration for story pitches from current blog headlines. The more interesting the headline, the better chance you’ll have that they will go for it. Email the writer the story idea, and how your product would fit into the story, and you’re in!

Need Help Pitching Your Products to the Media?

I’ve written pitches that have gotten my customers featured in Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, House Beautiful, Vanity Fair, Houzz.com, Glamour Magazine, LONNY, DesignMilk, Emmaline Bride, Martha Stewart, just to name a few. I can write story pitches for you as well as recommend the most popular media to get in front of your target market. Just email me at attentiongetting@gmail.com to discuss or see my Marketing Services page.

How to Get Local Publicity for Your Small Business

January 21, 2013 / Gail Oliver, Online Small Business Consultant

local publicity small business Want some free local publicity for your small business?

Did you know that your local newspaper reporter, the one who covers fashion, jewelry, home decor, weddings, food (not to mention the small business reporter) whatever it is that you sell, is desperate for a story right now?

This was actually one of the best pieces of advice I received at the start of my marketing career. Reporters are always looking for stories so give them one and you’ll be their best friend.

Do not discount the power of local media. Local media loves to support local businesses, and local customers love to buy from local businesses. Plus, publicity costs you nothing and could mean wide exposure, which typically results in sales. You can also use local publicity and turn it into national publicity.

How to Approach a Local Reporter

Email is probably the best way to approach a reporter with a story pitch. You can find their names and emails online at the newspaper’s website. You can also email the editor of the section, i.e. Food Editor, and they will assign it to a reporter.

If they have their editorial calendar online, even better, because they you can see upcoming articles and pitch accordingly.

Now if you live in a small town, you can approach your local town paper as well as the newspaper of the nearest largest city.

It can also be a local magazine, blog and/or lifestyle TV show.

Story Ideas to Pitch

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a blog post about How to Pitch to Editors, so you may want to check it out as a fresher, but here are some story ideas, just so you understand what to pitch:

Local Woman Finds Success with her Gluten-free Desserts Business
Valentine’s Gift Ideas from Local Shops
Local Artisans Finding Success on Etsy

Remember, the more specific the story pitch, the better. Don’t just give them a general, “If you are writing a story about Pet Products...” that won’t work. You want something more like, “If you are writing a story about How Fashionable Dog Accessories has become a billion dollar market…”