Publicity can be terrible. But only if you don’t have any. Jane Russell

From the desk of Tatyana Gann

In my work with media contacts I always ask editors about their guidelines and their editorial calendars. When you know the guidelines you can have better understanding of their audience, their writing style. It can help you to find the right approach. If you are dealing with a blogger who has some influence in your niche it helps to read their posts, see discussions, comments and also to see if they have contributing writers and what they write about..

To get more visibility and more publicity you must remember one thing, regardless how cool you are, media wants great quality content. Without a good piece of advice from you your company, your product or  your service is not going to have a chance to get more visibility.  Make sure bring the advice that has a great value.

Few days ago I spoke with a young internet marketer who shared with me his  story how he became very successful using direct mail method with a very little use of internet, basically from rags to riches story…I told him that to media the story means nothing.  It does not mean the story is not good but media professionals get stories like that all the time! They want a solid advice. They want  some valuable information that their readers can learn from, get some benefit to help them to grow their business or transform personal life.

I always give one simple advice- treat your readers, your potential customers how you would love to be treated. In your writing tell what you want to be told, use the exact words. Show appreciation, support and admiration of your customers. Show them they matter by bringing the exact answers they are looking for.

1. Always focus on how your readers can benefit from your story (it is not your product that matters to them but how it can make a difference in their life)

2. Think how you can inform them and entertain them. Entertaining  your reader with a good story, with some humor can do a lot of good!

3. Help your new readers to accomplish their goals, even small ones. Being famous is your second goal,  not first.  Help them to get success in life or business, you will bring it back into your life. It is a law!

4. Share 3 to 4 lessons you have learned from your product development.

5.  Few ways you paid attention to your customers and what determined to better meet their needs

6. If you landed a new client,  share your strategy and what you did to compete with heavy hitters or may you did not have to compete

7. Share stories in which you failed and what you learned from it.  Take your readers on a tour and explain what you learned, how you recognized your mistakes and what you did to correct them.

8.  If you landed a brand new business partnership, share news.  Share what you did  to help your new partner to see your vision.  Share the bullet points that formed the foundation for solid partnership.

The key is to show your readers how they can excel in what they do  and how they have a better balanced life, business, relationships, health and so on..

Remember the communication with your readers, engaging them in the story, giving them answers and being the source is a must.  My new friend John Morgan known among his friends as ” The Chuck Norris of branding” and author of Brand Against The Machine noted  at his recent book party in Nashville, “Stop being the service provider, start being the resource.”

I totally agree with it. PR and branding are so important. In order to have a great brand, build relationships, love people, show you CARE, give advice, always over deliver and build a great persona.  Always ask yourself “How do I want my customers to remember me in 10, 20 and even 30 years”

Tatyana Gann is the founder of the Smokin’ Hot PR Ezine and Smokin’ Hot PR Boutique, providing publicity, online PR services and even private VIP consulting. Tatyana Gann is ready to bring you publicity tips, advice and PR services to help you gain more raving fans for your business and create smokin’ hot publicity! She has a simple formula for creating a publicity plan that brings results! Grab your FREE publicity weekly advice at: http://www.smokinhotpr.com/