Q1: How do you start getting free publicity from journalists and bloggers?
@CarlaYoung Q1: Follow journalists and bloggers on Twitter and read their stuff before reaching out!
@ SourceBottle 1st: Sign up to SourceBottle: http://t.co/hp41mNCc and any other free media leads services ASAP!
@ SourceBottle Q1: Then you’ll start receiving free ‘call outs’ from journalists/bloggers for experts
@ SalesDiva Q1: You have to get on their RADAR. They can’t interview you if they don’t know who you are.
@ jenniferkbooth q1-be confident in what you have to offer
@ SalesDiva Q1: So you join resources like @SourceBottle and get in front of potential reporters, authors & experts.
@ SalesDiva Q1: Reporters interview people who have something to offer to their viewers, readers, listeners. No selling!
@ AndriaCWDS Q1 – getting linked with local media on Twitter helps – yet meeting in person = much better!
@ CarlaYoung Q1: It REALLY annoys editors when you don’t read their publication first!
@ SalesDiva Q1: Offer story ideas to reporters i.e./ local/national perspective & 2 other people to interview. Make it easy.
Q2: What is the value of publicity versus advertising?
@ SourceBottle Q2: Publicity is the Lady Gaga of promotion! It has cut through + will overshadow advertising efforts EVERY TIME
@ MargoDeGange Well for one it’s free or nearly free
@ CarlaYoung Q2: Credibility…journalists and bloggers have a trust relationship with their audience!
@ prforsmallbiz A2) People rather read an editor’s recommendation than see an ad.
@ SalesDiva Advertising can’t compete with PR. People don’t trust ads like they used to.
@SalesDiva Q2 – publicity builds a community history, while advertising may miss the beat. It’s about awareness with brand, no?
@ CarlaYoung Connecting with journalists and bloggers is key…that’s why services like @SourceBottle are so valuable!
@ SourceBottle Q2: When you advertise you pay to control the message. With the media, you don’t. People attach more weight to publicity
@ SalesDiva Q2: Getting free publicity is having someone else say you’re hot vs. you walking around saying you’re hot!
@SalesDiva Q2: Ads only run where you paid for them. Stories can get picked up & run across the nation/world. So there.
@SourceBottle Q2: I think an investment of time/resources in PR is always worthwhile.
@ MargoDeGange When you control the message people tend to tune out more
@ EntreprenMoms Q2 PR has a long shelf life – ads expire before they’re consumed often.
Q3: What makes an expert a valuable resource for journalists and bloggers?
@CarlaYoung Q3: Lots of things, but something people don’t often think of is timing…if you need a source, you usually need it NOW!!!
@ prforsmallbiz A3) Someone who can give information on how to help the general public.
@ SalesDiva Q3: You make their job easy. One stop shopping. 3 people to interview, photo opportunities, ideas for future stories
@ SourceBottle Q3: They need to know their stuff, be responsive + available
@ SourceBottle Q3: Oh, it helps if they’re nice too
@ CarlaYoung Think of services like @SourceBottle as the first step to building a long term relationship!
@ SalesDiva PR is not about you pitching your product/service. It’s something that gives an audience value, an idea
@ SalesDiva Q3: You have to be energetic & know your stuff. Short, sweet, to the point. Have personality.
@ CarlaYoung If you aren’t comfortable pitching, sign up for a media service (ahem @SourceBottle) and respond to queries
@ jenniferkbooth you want to become the TRUSTED authority
@ SourceBottle Q3: Be creative’ by highlighting the unusual or ‘impressive’ in your response. Make your pitch scream: ‘Pick ME!’
@ SalesDiva I had 75,000 hits from a news release alone. THAT was a vwery, vwery, FUN. (Say in Elmer Fudd voice)
Q4: How can experts make their response to a source query stand out?
@prforsmallbiz A4) Quick response with factual data and any unique/one of a kind information
@ SalesDiva Q4: Don’t be a windbag. Boring. Sounding like you belong on the Shopping Channel.
@ SourceBottle Q4: Professional pictures and images can REALLY help ‘sell’ your pitch
@ SalesDiva Q4: Pitch a concept, a success story, a different perspective on a topic that’s hot in the media.
@ SourceBottle Q4: In short: You want to make it dead easy for the journalist or blogger
@ SalesDiva Q4: Follow what’s in the movies, the news, hot on social media, and then TAG TEAM it with local spin.
@ JumpstartHR A4: I always lead with my credentials, provide relevant bullet points, and then sign off with a sincere closing.
@ CarlaYoung One of my favorite @SalesDiva tips is forward source queries to others (big relationship boost)
@ SalesDiva Q4: Reporters love when you’ve done the work. You have sexy sound bites (more on that in a minute)
@ SourceBottle Q4: Journalists and bloggers will try to wrap up their story as soon as they find the best source. BE THERE FIRST!
@ jenniferkbooth q4-I also follow others in my profession and professional groups to see what’s hot there and learn
@ SalesDiva Q4: The hottest books on the NYTimes, the seasons, special days of the year/month i.e./ Oct is Small Biz month
@ SourceBottle Q4: Yes, look at what’s topical and tie your story in with it.
@ SalesDiva Too hard for a reporter to understand your pitch? They definitely know you’ll suck in an interview too.
@ SourceBottle Q4: As @CarlaYoung said, read their stuff so you ‘know’ them + their audience BEFORE YOU PITCH
Q5: How can experts extend the relationship without becoming a pest?
@ prforsmallbiz A5) Continue relationship through social media & provide news or tips directly Tweeted to them once in a while
@ SourceBottle Q5: Don’t expect an immediate response. Don’t follow up if you if you don’t get said ‘immediate response’. Give them time.
@ SalesDiva Q5: Remember you can’t always be the STAR OF THE SHOW. Forward reporters ideas on other people you know.
@CarlaYoung Q5: Stay in touch and ask what types of stories they would like pitched
@ SalesDiva Q5: Position yourself as an expert resource vs. someone with Gimme Gimme Disease.
@ SourceBottle Q5: Let the journalist take the lead in the relationship. Only follow up if have something new to offer
@ SalesDiva Places like @sourcebottle make it super easy to get connected with reporters, bloggers & more. Loveeeeeeeeee
@CarlaYoung Sometimes the toughest part is getting that first connection…use @SourceBottle to get it and work it!
@ EntreprenMoms Really you need to research the reporter as much as they need to research you.
Q6: What makes an expert ‘media-friendly’?
@ SalesDiva Your pitch MUST be relevant to what they want. I’ve done stories with the smallest thread to what I do.
@ SourceBottle Q6: They’re generous with their expertise + they’re accessible to the media.
@ EntreprenMoms Q6 Be available
@ CarlaYoung Q6: Be organized with bio, photo, stats and everything they need to write their story fast!
@ JumpstartHR I’ve also learned that you shouldn’t give bland responses. There will be a ton of those. Show reporters something fresh!
@ SalesDiva Q6: Don’t fumble/stutter/avoid questions/don’t stare at camera. Have loads of energy, stats, quotes and ZIP.
@ SourceBottle Q6: Oh + it helps if they’re personable, articulate and funny. A sense of humour is a definite asset!
@ SalesDiva Q6: And sending them a thank you card certainly makes you stand out from the crowd. No one does that. Well except me!
@ JumpstartHR Lead with: credentials, quantifiable success, any books you’ve written and that’s it.. then get right to it!
@ SalesDiva Q6: You must show personality either through the written word, on radio or on TV. Make people curious about you
@ SourceBottle Q6: Yes, a definite thank you (hard copy form) is wonderful and RARE!
@ EntreprenMoms Q6 For better or worse it doesn’t hurt to look fab- even ‘professional hot’ for video interviews
@ SalesDiva Q6: I’ve also sent them a beautiful cake from a bakery saying ” You made the interview a piece of cake.”
Q7: What are the other ways businesses and experts can use @SourceBottle?
@ SalesDiva Q7: You can post your own request to interview someone. Gets you traffic, reporters ask about you too
@ CarlaYoung Q7: Tune into source queries to find out what is being written about! Tip from @SourceBottle
@ SourceBottle Q7: Use SourceBottle to seek out giveaways and freebies opportunities with audiences you’re trying to reach
@ CarlaYoung Did you hear that bloggers? @SourceBottle lets you seek out giveaways!!!
@ SourceBottle Q7: You can respond to requests from PRs for case studies on relevant topics.
@ JumpstartHR Special tip: Pitches that you submit make a GREAT foundation for your next blog article. Plus you know the info is relevant.
@ SourceBottle Q7: The PR will then pitch you and your expertise to the media on your behalf. You don’t have to do a thing.
@ EntreprenMoms “Make people curious about you” – knowing how to turn up/down that dial in an interview setting is key
Q8: How can we as bloggers and publishers use @SourceBottle to create interesting content?
@ SourceBottle Q8: Be like journalists and use SourceBottle to find great sources. We LOVE bloggers and welcome your posts.
@ SalesDiva Q8: So easy! The leads on experts that you can then use for a teleseminar conference, e-book, stats, interviews
@ SourceBottle Q8: Oh and quoting credible sources adds depth and credibility to your articles
@ CarlaYoung Q8: Ask for experts to contribute to your blog, seek case studies, call out for experts @SourceBottle
@ SalesDiva Q8: Remember it all adds extra value to your community of followers. It is like layers on a cake.
@ SourceBottle Q8: Many bloggers find their most popular blog pieces have been when they’ve researched it + quoted experts
@ SalesDiva Stay on the trail. Don’t be a one-hit wonder where you get one media hit & then forget about it. Stay on radar.
Q9: How can businesses use @SourceBottle to gain exposure for their product?
@ SourceBottle Q9: Religiously scan the RH column in the email alert.
@ Block SourceBottle Q9: That’s where opps to include samples in gift bags, on radio as prizes, on websites that do reviews appear
@ SalesDiva Go for ALL levels of media – just not local. It gives you instant credibility in your OWN MARKET.
Q10: Accountability: Who is going to start using @SourceBottle and responding to queries?
@ SalesDiva Q10: I think there should be a stiletto stampede to @SourceBottle
@ CarlaYoung Connect with @SourceBottle on Facebook too: http://t.co/xrLVrUGg
@ SourceBottle So in summary: Get hands on call outs via SourceBottle. Be creative in your response (+bold) thanks @SalesDiva and get responding
Sign up to receive SourceBottle’s Drink Up! email alerts . Each alert contains a summary of all current call outs on your topics of interest from journalists and bloggers. SourceBottle gets you free publicity or famous, whichever comes first!