Want to be the talk of the town?

I am a Press Release. Every day, I travel across millions of computer screens and millions of people. I’m written, re-written, edited, read, re-read, filed away and if I’m lucky, stored on a computer.  Many a times, I’m discarded or recycled right after I knock someone's door. It is brutal when I’m thrown away without even being read but I blame the writer more so than the reader when that happens.

Most people think I’ve no soul, no feelings, no desires and absolutely no quality to win gracious looks. Wish I could tell them how wrong they are. Just a little grooming and I could be the centre of attraction at an early morning editorial meeting! 

The other day, there were at least half a dozen people scribbling all over me, correcting some mistakes and arguing about my content.  I like it. Attention is always good; and especially, when attention wins media interest. Let me tell you- all this fussing over me is never a waste of time. If I’m well done, I win a lot of attention and that means my contents will be all over the place- internet, television, radio, newspapers, magazine. Everyone will be talking about me- facebook, twitter, you name it. The rewards are many, of this attention you give me.

Photo Courtesy: www.shopforfollowers.com

I’m like a model in front of a buyer who has hundreds of models to select from. One cut can make all the difference. However, unlike models, I don’t thrive on cuts but rather on hooks. A reporter threw me away because she couldn’t find a hook. I don’t blame her. Hooks are what describe my magical charms. Give me a few nice hooks and I’ll get the looks! If you want to know what a good hook is- answer yourself WHY the world needs to know about your story and WHAT? That is the best hook. Add to it, WHO? And when your reader is all hooked on, show her the path- how to get to you. Tell her: WHEN & WHERE.

The WHAT hook can be attached to my title and the WHY & WHO hook can be explained in the first few lines. I’ve a desire to win my buyers and I can be successful if you are grooming me well enough.  Did you add the interesting quotes from impressive people that matter to the readers, third party endorsements and unique information in my body? Lastly, make sure you don’t forget to invite the reader to the event or check out additional resources.

I can be successful, and I want to be successful- be published, telecast, adorn every facebook page and become the talk of the town, only if you let me be! 

Three quick formulae for Media Communications

Welcome to another quick post on Communications tips!

Imagine being offered an "out of the blue" media event assignment and you don't have any clue about what media relations is.

Here are three formulas to get you started and race your way to success!

Working with the media or communicating your message to the media is all a part of external communications. So, first of all, use the basic formula behind all communication processes:

• What needs to be communicated, or the intended CONTENT
• Who is communicating, or the SENDER
• How is s/he communicating, or the intended MEDIUM
• To Whom is s/he communicating, or the intended AUDIENCE

Once you have established these four facts, run the RACE formula:

• RESEARCH: Research your audience's needs and opinions or attitudes, characeristics; your organization's needs and attitudes, priorities; pros and cons of different medias.
• ANALYZE: Aalyze the data about your message, audience and establish strategies
• COMMUNICATE: Now communicate! Are you worried what to convey? Remember the 10 intentions behind the content of any communications that I mentioned in a previous post. That's the formula behind the content of your communications.
• EVALUATE: Once you have communicated to the media your key messages, you need to measure media effectiveness and evaluate your success for future strategic planning.

Effective communications is the key to success in today's world and a little hard work and strategic planning can go a long way in your company's success.
Hope these formulae can guide you through.

For more information, you can contact a local Communications or Media Relations expert. I recommend Ms. Susan Sommers of Susan Sommers & Associates from Toronto. She is a known author, a wonderful speaker and a seasoned consultant in this field. She also teaches at University of Toronto's Continuing Education program.
http://www.susansommers.ca/

Please do post your comments directly on this page for the benefit of other readers.
Ciao!