Resources & Articles - RE-Leesburg.com

So now you really feel like you are ready! You have made the smart decision of using PR to get your message across to the media. Congratulations! You have made a successful first step!

By now you have probably sat down and looked at your topic, have fully developed your message and are confident and ready to start getting yourself out there. The next step in this process is the one that many dread and some even hate: pitching your message to the media. Marsha , Chief Executive Officer of EMSI , a national public relations firm, has been doing this successfully for over 20 years and knows exactly what grabs their attention and what turns them off. Here Friedman shares with us methods of pitching to the media 1. Be careful not to pitch yourself. When you get in contact with the media, don't pitch your company or YOUR qualifications. Friedman says, "Focus your pitches on THE ISSUE that you are an expert on. If you are a doctor specializing in natural health pitch a show idea or story about the 10 foods that will fight off illness during the flu season." Pitch the issue and grab the attention of the journalist or producer. What they want are hot, newsworthy topics that will grab and hold the interest of their viewers and readers, they do not want to be sold to.

2. Don't pitch the product. If you are a product manufacturer it is very important that when you are pitching to the media that you do not focus the pitch on your company's product or service. Friedman says, " If you have a product or service, focus your pitch on THE PROBLEM that your product or service solves. If you manufacture a diet product pitch a show or story on the obesity problems Americans and their children are faced with today. " Again, producers and journalists shy away from pitches that sound like infomercials and it is an instant turn-off to their audience.

3. Supply facts to the media. Although the media will do their own homework - don't rely solely on the results of their research. Friedman says, " Make sure to give them YOUR facts. This is especially important if your topic is controversial as you want them to have the data that supports your position." When pitching, have an arsenal of facts that you can use to educate the media with. This is more useful then you can imagine. If you have a tricky or detailed topic, present as much information as you can so that the busy, inundated producer or journalist can grasp your message quickly. The more time you save explaining, the more time you can spend pitching the benefits of having you as a guest or featured on their pages.

4. Call in some backup. What we are talking about here is especially true if you are pitching a controversial topic. Friedman says, "If you're pitching a controversial topic to a radio or TV show, have a list of guests that are available to be on the show with you to support your side of the story This gives you more control of the segment and ensures your message will gain acceptance from the audience." If you do not have suggested guests to pitch to the producer, and they pick it up, you may just be setting yourself up for an on-air ambush, which if you are not prepared, can land you in deep water.

Hopefully these tips will help you get out there today and start pitching! If you would like to learn more about gaining national and local media exposure for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Friedman is here to help . Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a public relations expert Marsha Friedman has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without breaking your budget with costly monthly retainers .