2 replies to this topic

[Trilitech]

I talked to a guy a couple of years ago who had a un-impressive coupon site he ran. What was impressive was the traffic he was getting. When I asked him where it was coming from I was shocked to hear him say tv news coverage. Apparently he just spent his time calling various local news stations until someone agreed to do a segment on his website.

There wasn't anything special about his website that was news worthy, just something like 'Local man starts internet business providing consumer discounts'. He got two different stations to do a segment on his site, and then those segments got syndicated to other affiliate stations and the traffic started rolling in.

Now my question is how do you pull this off!?!?! Surely there's more too it than just calling numbers in the phone book and asking them to do a story about your website. Has anyone ever tried this? Who do you ask to talk to? What do you say?

[Randy]

Yes, the old Local angle works quite well. Most papers and tv stations are always on the lookout for something with a local angle --especially the smaller local papers-- and eat up being handed a story. For that matter many of these smaller papers even have a dedicated section for write ups about local businesses.

The best though is when you have something at least a little bit unique. Even though most reporters wouldn't know a truly unique web site if it bit them in the butt.

As to how to do it, there are lots of ways. Contacting the local paper/tv station is one of the best. Basically just call or write them to find out if they have anyone on staff who specializes in reporting about local businesses. I've also had general press releases picked up by local media, I assume because the local mailing address/info was included in the release.

[OldWelshGuy]

Hey Trilitech,
read what you wrote again, you answered the question yourself but missed it completely.

There wasn't anything special about his website that was news worthy, just something like 'Local man starts internet business providing consumer discounts'

I used to be in publishing, and getting content believe it or not is a problem. So prepare your information, have some newsworthy facts and figures (editors love those), and call them. Items of interest need to have human element (this includes any living breathing animal), local element (assuming it is a local publication), and a happy ending! Get those three elements and you are well on your way to getting free coverage.

EG, local many quits 9-5 (or better still if local man could not get work or is disabled or could not work as he/she had to look after sick realtive

Local man starts business (better still if local man starts business that helps others as in this case)

Local man does good.

here is the classic guaranteed to run story.
Sick person gets a dog for company, sick person gets ill, dog saves sick persons life. I GUARANTEE you that story will run every time, because it has the magic elements.

<beaten to the punch>