‘Is there something here that’s new, free or amazing?’ That’s how journalists often judge news stories. This book, which is all about promoting your business or organisation in the press, is certainly new. The book’s not free – but it will certainly help you to get free publicity! And as you read it, you’ll find it amazing how easy it is to succeed at press relations, once you get to know the territory and the language.
A quarter of a century working in press relations – and spending much of that time working with relatively small, owner-managed business clients – has taught us three basic Facts of Life. Here they are:
- Most businesses like the idea of regular publicity in their trade magazines.
- Many believe that they can’t afford professional press relations.
- Some get the feeling that they ought to be able to do PR themselves.
If you identify with one or more of these Facts of Life, this DIY manual of press relations practice has been written specially for you. It takes you step by step from the basics of‘Why press relations?’, what makes journalists tick, ways of choosing and presenting stories to give them the best chance of acceptance by editors, through to what happens if your lovely relationship goes pear-shaped.
You’re already involved with a PR agency? Getting Free Publicity will help you to understand what your agency’s trying to do for you, and why – it will put you both on the same wavelength. And if you’re thinking of taking the DIY route to fame and fortune in the press, you couldn’t choose a more experienced travelling companion.
We hope you will profit by it – and enjoy it!