Get Quoted In The Media And Make Your Phones Ring Off The Hook

If you want more publicity, you could be going about it the wrong way. I train a lot of journalists, and here are some things I know for sure.

• Their absolute #1 pet peeve is receiving PR pitches, calls, books, etc., on topics that in no way fit what they do. How would you feel if you were sitting at work, too busy to think, and every time your phone rings someone is trying to sell you something you don't need? Put yourself in the journalist's place.
• They delete almost all email messages from PR people without reading them. Mostly because of their #1 pet peeve.
• They trash almost all (I want to say all) faxes without reading them. This is pet peeve related too.
• Spam filters that make them get permission to send you an email message get ignored, deleted. They then move on to the next expert.
• They're way too busy to return phone calls (although their voicemail says they will).

So knowing all this, what can you do?

Do the work to make your Web site come up on the first two pages when they Google your expertise (mine does and I never paid one red cent to make it happen).

You could also sign up for a service that the big boys use at http://www.PRLEADS.com. This is a special service for people like us. Journalist queries come to your Inbox, you respond, and get press...major press. Look at your budget and see what you can do without so you can do this. I do not have cable TV, don't spend my weekends shopping, and I eat my own cooking.