Tips to Create a Media Frenzy

Create a Media Frenzy:   5 Tips to Get Started…

“Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will.” 
Jawaharlal Nehru, First Prime Minister of India

Create a PR file.  When you get an idea for a good Media campaign write it down or cut it out and put it in this file.  Make a habit of reviewing this file once a month at a specific time (such as the 1st or 2nd).  Use this file to create press releases, contests, events and more.

Host a contest. Host an essay contest around a major holiday such as Secretaries Day, Bosses Day or Grandparents Day.  Send the winner’s picture to the media along with the winning entry.  Jones the Florist in Cincinnati, Ohio did that and the local paper ran a picture of the winner with one of Jones the Florists arrangements.

Get edgy. Create an event – like Get out of the Doghouse Day – host a contest, create a line of arrangements, send out media releases, interview customers. Eden Florist has done this for 5 years running and we are in the local paper every year, we have been on local and national radio programs and the New Jersey Intelligencer ran a full page article about the day. See www.doghouserepairs.com for more information.

Reward local heroes.  Find people in your community doing good deeds and send them flowers or a plant.  Word travels fast and not only could you be making someone’s day, you could get some great free press from this one simple act.

Write About what You know. IF you are a florist, write about flowers for your local paper.  Check out the garden section, find the editorial calendar and submit your ideas and tips to the editor.  If it’s good, you will get published.

When wooing the media, sometimes the hardest thing for most people is to get their foot in the door. Here are a couple of tips to get you started:

Tip One: When you first start pitching yourself to radio and TV stations find the small ones, start on the little radio stations, the cable channels, the ones with a smaller audience and more air time to spare. This is an excellent way to practice AND you can add the audio/video to your site and this starts adding to your credibility! Having the experience with the smaller stations, gives you the confidence and experience to go after the major players in media.

Tip Two:   When calling the radio or TV stations, if you don’t get through to the person you are after (you get their voicemail) leave your 15 second commercial.  If structured properly, the media will call YOU back.