Publicity - How To Get Your Story on Television

A press release telling about "Stevie, the Water-Skiing Squirrel" will never get that talented mammal on the TV news.

But that same press release, accompanied by video of Stevie jumping over mini-ramps in an inflatable pool, will make the news 99 days out of 100.

Words on paper or screen alone do not make a TV story. If you want to crack the TV news or the talk shows, you must demonstrate that you have a "visual."

A visual is the images or video that accompanies the words. TV needs something that moves or talks to tell its stories.

If it looks interesting or nice, that's a plus. They will shoot the video; you don't need to. But often you do need to suggest what to shoot.

Example: the story is advice for would-be homeowners.

The visual you'll suggest: stock footage of different types of houses in your area, plus background video of an "open house" event.

Newspapers and magazines also like to use visuals. Going to be quoted in a story? Offer a headshot of yourself, or of any other pertinent image. Remember to think of the media as another client and provide them with excellent service. Don't ask them to do it if you can help.

Ned Steele works with people in professional services who want to build their practice and accelerate their growth. The president of Ned Steele's MediaImpact, he is the author of 102 Publicity Tips To Grow a Business or Practice. To learn more visit http://www.MediaImpact.biz or call 212-243-8383.

---

Asian Media Relations: Increase Your Profile and Image in China

China's media is booming creating opportunities for marketing-savvy businesses. But... Read More

Creating Event Magic through Planned Video Production

Once upon a time, there was a young, stressed out... Read More

Media Training: How to Tell a More Interesting Story

PRESIDENT BUSH TELLS A STORYOn March 18, 2005, President Bush... Read More

Andrew Bogut - His Big Media Blunder And What You Can Learn From It

Andrew Bogut, the Australian basketballer is now officially in the... Read More

Marketing-Minded Financial Planners, Dont Hold Back Information From the Media

Some financial planners think that they shouldn't share their top... Read More

How To Write More Powerfully For PR, Offline And Online

Years ago when my Dad owned a group of local... Read More

Get Outsiders on Your Side

Especially good advice for business, non-profit and association managers whose... Read More

How PR Helps Fiercely Competitive Managers

Fiercely combative business, non-profit and association managers use every PR... Read More

Same Old, Same Old PR Still Tops

Like human nature over time, the power of good public... Read More

Ramp Up Your Newsletter to Build a Strong Business

To survive in business, you've got to focus your attention... Read More

Interviews - Five Tips To Handle Tough Questions From Reporters

Journalists are trained and often experienced at getting information out... Read More

Why You Should Write a Book (Even if You Really Dont Want To)

Recently, I told a friend (who's a business owner) that... Read More

10 Tips for Tantalizing News Releases

Want to get radio interviews and coverage in print publications... Read More

What not to wear when doing a TV Interview

? Don't wear all black. You'll look as though you're... Read More

PR Failure Defined

I define public relations failure this way:key audience perceptions are... Read More

Public Relations Primer, Part II: Five Dos

1) Package your story. Two critical elements will help you... Read More

Why PR Can be Effective Medicine

When properly applied by business, non-profit and association managers, public... Read More

Three Communication Secrets of The Great Communicator

I've worked in media and public relations for 20 years,... Read More

Publicity - Tips on Dealing With the Media

You thought of it, you researched it, you wrote it.... Read More

Three Publicity Tips for Marketing-Minded Financial Planners

Financial planners, the first thing to know about reporters is... Read More

PR for Brand New Managers

Just promoted to manager?Here's something you need to know.Whether you... Read More

Same Time Next Year: Using Editorial Calendars as Part of your PR Efforts

It's the time of year when calendars crowd out the... Read More

How To Write A Press Release: The 10 Commandments Of A Great Lead Paragraph

How to write a press release is a major challenge... Read More

The Press Pack Is Chasing You - Give Them Room

There's good news for public relations execs, marketing professionals and... Read More

Media Relations: When Google Got Googled

Before meeting my soon-to-be-wife for the first time, I "Googled"... Read More

Financial Planners Get Free Publicity With Email

In previous articles for marketing-minded financial planners, I've discussed what... Read More

Media Releases - Helping Grow Your Business

Business people often spend time and money trying to find... Read More

Media Training: When Reporters Lie

I recently worked with a group dealing with an unusual... Read More

Seven Tips To Get Your Press Release Noticed

If you're seeking to promote yourself or your new business... Read More

Prep for a Successful Trade Show

Well, autumn is upon us and with the onset of... Read More

3 Essential Elements For Turning Your PR Pitch Into Publicity Exposure

1) Establish Rapport, then get the editor/producer excited.There's not a... Read More

Writing A Press Release

News releases (also called press releases) are an important part... Read More

The Non-business Business

Think for a moment! If you were to do a... Read More