by Jim Peake

We can't always depend on public relations working however if you can master the media it can be very powerful for your bottom line. If you are a small business owner PR is your number 1 guerilla marketing tactic.

Rule # 1) start with the local media! Your local press is always looking for good stories. Many of the local media companies are owned by national media companies. If the story has national interest it has the possibility of getting picked up by the national press. Your local media outlets are much more open to hearing your pitch than CNN or Oprah.

Rule # 2) Learn how to select the right media outlet, newspapers, radio, TV or the Internet. What happens a lot is the big newspapers publich a story and it is followed by television. TV follows newspapers for the most part. Depending on the breaking news aspect television can be better for live breaking news. How is the visual appeal of the story, what it it like? My Success Gateway, LLC has been covered in all major media and if we can do it so can you.

Rule #3) Know who to ask for at the media outlets. If you are going to speak with the newspaper you will want to contact the specific reporter who covers your local story weather it be a sports writer, local news writer or an entertainment writer. In television you will want to ask for the "assignment editor" or the "assignment desk" to pitch your story to.

Rule # 4) You have to be current with the news that is happening in your area. make sure that you don't forget the hook! For example let's say you are a chiropractor and evey year there is a big marathon in your city. Set up a chiropractic station at the finish line to treat the athletes post race with their back pain. Now you want to get on the phone with the news media and let them know that X % of runners experience back pain (hook) and that you are treating them at the finish line gratis.

Rule # 5) News media has to sell stories. When they do this they tell you to sick around to not change the channel because they have a "new" back pain solution that you don't want to miss. If you tell this to the assignment editor he will apprecite it because you are really helping him shape the story for his broadcast and keep his viewers on his channel. He needs ratings!

Rule # 6) There has to be something in it for the viewers, we call this a payoff. Because the marathon has a lot of visability in the town and most people know at least a few participants, the payoff for the atheletes is that they can solve their back pain with the proper care and treatment. The television station would love to do this type of a story since it benefits members of their community.

Rule # 7) Tell them you want to make a fast story pitch! 9 out of 10 producers, assignment editors and reporters will say yeas to 30 seconds, but not if they are on deadline. If they do say yes have your duicks in a row and start talking and doln't shut up until they tell you to. If they like the story they will tell you. They will ask for mor einformation. If they say e-mail it into news@newsstation.com that means it won't make their broadcast. If they ask you to mail it to their e-mail directly you stand a better chance.

Conclusion, all businesses have the opportunity to get in the news. It helps when you know how to navigate the newsroom like a professional.

About the Author:

If you want PR and get on the local TV news learn from a media insider how to be a master at media with Home Study Course on PR or listen to the Free Interview You can get a unique content version of this article. Internet advertising.