I get press, I get tons of press. ALL through social media. 100% unsolicited. Press finds me. Each time a blog is written about me, each time I am asked to be interviewed in a podcast, or share on a teleseminar- press happens.
I gave up on HARO (Help a Reporter Out) well over two years ago. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a phenomenal resource. Honestly the 3 digests a day overwhelmed me. The time pressure of WHEN the reporter needed the information by stressed me out even more. Then the detailed approach to GET the press made me freak out and run!
Press is a critical strategy for building your credibility and authority in your field. And press can be used shamelessly, in so many ways to continue to help you grow.
Want more press? Want have opportunities come to you EVERY month? Here are the simplified steps I teach my clients:
1-be more education based in what you share online and LESS sales-y;
2-be more engaging, with others AND in your personality;
3-be open to WHO you connect with (that’s networking 101);
4-make sure you (not just your company) are search-able; people who might want to give you that press need to make sure you are REAL (in your field and industry);
5-have opinions, opinions make for great press;
6-keep your press (links to articles, downloads etc) and share it often. Those in the field see the exposure you give content and want you;
7-share it with your list-let them know where you are being interviewed, traffic is a good thing for everyone involved.
Press is just ONE of the several goals that can be achieved in your social media marketing strategy. When you combine a smart strategy it can ultimately build a marketing team that you don’t pay big bucks for. And honestly, I don’t miss the stress of HARO at all!
Are you developing your online marketing team?
Ann M. Evanston is a “Chief Breakthrough Officer” teaching other Business Warriors how to slow down, and find the most unique part of their business that makes them stand out among the crowd. She has been named one of the top marketing consultants by About.com, is a guest blogger for Showcasing Women and takes pride in moving you from “blah, blah, blah” to “BOOM, BOOM. BOOM!”
I loved HARO, too. In fact, most of my press about three years ago came from Peter Shankman’s site – but I was in a frenzy all the time writing at midnight sometimes to make the deadlines. As you know, my goal now is to attract the press via my efforts with the Social Networking Coaching Club and reaching out to virtual strangers via Twitter & Linked In that invite engagement, not just posting links to a sales site – hate that!! So, to answer your question, yes – I am the development phase of my online marketing – some has worked already, as you know but there is so much more to come down the road! Thanks for laying out some good points to remember as I continue to build and finess my brand.
This is a great list – so much is what I’ve been learning about in Social Networking Coaching Club, but organized succinctly. I didn’t know about HARO, but it would not be for me, as I don’t want another deadline-frantic experience!
Great reminder, organized in a way I can use.
Judy Stone-Goldman
The Reflective Writer
Great suggestions. Thanks for the help i have never heard of HARO For me right now though i think I will just concentrate on f9ollowing the list above
Julie Labes,…The Fierce over 50 feels much younger point and click junkie loves to travel does not use a jogging stroller and before you ask this is NOT my granddaughter..Woman
The first time I heard of HARO was last week. I’m with Julie I’m and plan to concentrate on the above list.
Lisa Ann Landry
I’m an exuberant force of light… Come light up your life
http://www.imagedevelopmentgroup.com/speakers.html
I had never heard of HARO either – thankfully by the sound of it. All press I have had is through social media doing exactly what I have learned form you and I’m now coaching others to do the same on SNCC AND giving press to others by your suggestion of doing Facebook Fan Friday on my facebook page Lou Loves Learning. It works brilliantly and costs nothing!
Louise Edington
Finding YOUR Freedom
http://louiseedington.com
I have tried using HARO – only got one positive result.
Thanks for the valuable tips in this post. Working on education based marketing now with Social Networking Coaching Club.
HARO was new to me but then I’ve not been involved in social media for that long. The list you share here is worth gold and makes so much sense. I am focussing on following these rules and know they’ll work, just like everything else in the SNCC training. Thanks for helping us save time, too.
Fiona Stolze
Inspired Art and Living
http://fionastolze.wordpress.com
It’s always better to be courted than to court, right? That’s where I’m headed following your steps in the SNCC! Never heard of HARO, sounds too frantic for me. I always wonder what has happened to you and who you bumped into when you post – it often seems to be a response.
Pat Zahn, Photo Solutions Superhero
http://www.PatZahn.com
Great tips, Ann…thanks! I’m continuing to define, refine and simplify my marketing. I love education based marketing that leads to sales 🙂
Brandy Mychals
Creator of Split Second Perceptions
Effectively Communicate with Confidence
What you say is so valuable Ann. Your strategies work and you are a prime example of that. I am honored to have you as my coach and friend. I am learning so much from you.
Susan Berland
A Picture’s Worth
http://www.susan-berland.com
Never heard of HARO and glad I won’t be needing it! I am new on the social media scene in comparison but reading the comments below I can tell that I won’t be missing anything without HARO, and will be gaining everything by sticking with what works…these tips, you, and SNCC! Thanks for always keeping it real and sharing your words of wisdom.
Rita Brennan Freay
Rita4kids
ritabrennanfreay.com
Hi Ann,
Thank you for these seven powerful guides to becoming sought as an expert, often and regularly. Each one makes perfect sense, of course, but it takes an expert to spell them out together, so clearly and concisely. I especially like the notion of our “online marketing team”.
Robbie
I had heard of HARO a long time ago and even looked into that while I was working in the corporate world, but had forgotten all about them! I much prefer what you teach to get press and hope to take advantage of what I am learning going forward. The whole education based marketing really appeals to me and is just what our industry needs to lift it up out of the muck.
Great tips. Working on implementing everything I’ve learned in the Social Networking Coaching Club…I’m seeing results already and am really excited about using social media to show women they can take control of their financial future.
Darcie Newton
Discipline for Profit, none for jammy zins and memorable necklaces
http://www.mywealthspa.com
You’ve got it down woman! I’m taking notes and as I develop my…more, I will be implementing. It really makes sense to get the exposure you need without stressing yourself out. There just seems to be no point.
Thanks for your giver attitude, as always.
Lisa Vitale
http://lisawifemom.wordpress.com
I’m so glad you said that about HARO! Coming from a PR background I loved the idea of looking at all there is on the digest. But honestly WHO has time to read all 3 digests everyday???? I don’t. I’m about to give up. Since I began SNCC 30 day intensive I’ve just deleted all the HARO emails.
I’ve been following you for several months now and trying to feverishly pick up on your tips and tricks to building my marketing team. Have done ok. But am so glad to be getting the step by step inside scoop to it all via SNCC now!
Thanks as always for the great, shareable info!
Yvonne Hall
http://www.facebook.com/wildforwildtree
This is great, and so timely, since I have been getting frustrated with HARO over the last few days, too! I thought it was just me.
I am working like crazy to implement everything I learn from you! Thanks so much, Ann!
Jillian
Jillian’s Boudoir Photography
http://www.jilliansboudoirphotography.com/www.jilliantoddblog.com
Aha! You echo my attempts to connect with HARO and I hadn’t thought about it, but yes, yes and yes! Online Press is so much more fluid and organic. I’ve had three experiences of FP without doing anything other than being myself online. Thanks for this refresher of the FP path, especially the USING of the press received!
Adore idea that being ourselves, sharing tasty spoons and kicking out all the vanilla, makes us sexier to online press opportunities that are a natural extension of social media & networking done right.
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mistress blending Lifestyle & Laughter
http://LYShome.com
I agree, HARO can be overwhelming. I see them come by, but rarely check them. Thankfully a ton of my friends are on the look out for topics that might interest me and someone sends me the really juicy “Sexy” ones. I do find HARO is a great resource for my radio show and podcast, though. So posting on HARO and looking for something via HARO does work pretty well.
But, the rest of your tips are ON TARGET as usual. Do not apologize for who you are. Have an opinion and good networking means you would never turn your nose up to meeting someone at any event. (I get this a lot because I sell sex toys.) People assume that I could not possibly help them. What or how could someone who does what I do help them. What they don’t realize is that there is more to me then just the sex toys. I have a vast network and love connecting people.
Thanks for the great tips, Ann. Congrats on your About.com press. So well deserved.
Blissfully, Chrystal
http://www.BlissConnection.com
I also like doing my best to give back to those you are networking with. Give as much value as you possibly can without charging for it. This builds trust and good will.
Very nice, Ann. Thank you for the input. I especially liked your 1st point… share more education-based things. This is an area I need to develop more and you may have been right when you said I could talk about sobriety… it’s coming closer to that. What I’ve learned, thoug, is general info and doesn’t have to be tied ot my sobriety. I also liked your point about keeping your press and linking it to articles, etc. Great idea. Now, if I could just get some… 🙂
Hope you are well.
Carolyn CJ Jones
Author, Photographer “Opening the Gates of the Heart: A Journey of Healing”
http://www.gatelady.com