Right now in 2008, arguably the biggest story in the headlines could be the crisis facing Detroit's "Big Three" auto makers, General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. Every single day, there are many stories developing about the problem facing all the companies - which have now banded together to use and get public funds as a bailout to the industry.
Although we could spend hours talking about this issue, we shall instead turn our focus on what you, as a small company owner, can enter the headlines and join the conversation to truly get your company some publicity. First, you have to figure out how you squeeze into this picture. Are you a car dealer? A parts supplier? A secondary company that utilizes the healthiness of the vehicle companies and/or car workers? Where would you fit in? This really is critical to then developing your "angle."
Next, simply put together a media release talking about how this issue affects you. Here's the important part, though. You must locate a newsworthy angle, otherwise your opinion is merely an opinion - and certainly not news. So perform a poll, discuss some actual trends you're seeing, or include some stats about your historical sales compared to your projected sales given the results of the bailout trend press wire. Reporters want to talk about stats using their readers or viewers. Look at your company's stats to see if any coincide with trends being discussed by the media.
If you have your release drafted, you may wish to do some research which reporters are doing stories with this topic. Execute a simple Google search to locate these stories. On Google, click news at the top to filter out companies. Have the contact information for these reporters and send them your release while letting them know you are significantly more than happy to be always a quotable resource for his or her future stories. Reporters are usually buying good quote.
John Sternal is an expert public relations professional with increased than 15 years experience serving clients in a number of industries on both the agency and corporate sides. John has worked with members of the national media to produce stories that serve their readers/viewers in an attempt to educate on topics that benefit his clients/employers.
John has had the great possibility to work with from sports marketing to natural gas pipelines, and high technology to the world of automotive.
His experiences in PR span a wide variety, including media relations, spokesperson duties, media training, corporate communications, event management, and strategic thought leadership. John has written many articles which were published in magazines and newspapers across the country, and he has also served as editor of two media publications for a national sports team.
John says his favorite PR moment was when he helped the NHL's communications department during the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. He was on the ice working with photo journalists during the Cup presentation facing a packed Joe Louis Arena.
Originally from Connecticut, John grew up in Tampa, Fla., and currently lives in South Florida. He enjoys golf and bicycling, and although he lives in Florida, John still considers hockey his favorite sport to watch. He's also started initially to occupy sailing as a spare time activity, and enjoys studying fine wines from different elements of the world.
