How to Market Your Product and Get Noticed by the Media According to Fran Briggs

It's not hard to get noticed by the media according to Fran Briggs, local publicist in Arizona. Do you have a CD, book, product or event you'd like to share with the world? Of course you do! Then why not send the media a "Media Alert" along with a picture. Everyone needs more exposure. Editors, publishers, and program directors love Media Alerts because they're short, to the point and fit almost anywhere. A Media Alert which features a picture of your product or event, is one of the best ways to break into national magazines, newspapers, and even television. You might be surprised to learn that the Media Alert is not only one of the most effective types of promotion, it's also very affordable. Dollar for dollar, the Media Alert is one of the most powerful ways to deliver your message to the world. I'll explain exactly how in just a couple of minutes. This article takes some her tips and puts them to practice. If you follow these tips you will be mentioned in the media and your services or business will get free publicity. This article is used with expressed permission from Fran Briggs and eMediaCampaigns.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Determination
• Flare
• Motivation

1. An excellent marketing plan is essential and serves as the blueprint for your business success. Begin by confirming that there is in fact ... a market for your product. Many overlook this and end up making one of the most expensive mistakes of their lives. If there is a market for your product, get the most recent market synopsis for your business. Do your research online and at your local library or bookstore. There is a plethora of information and literature available to help you succeed. Speak to individuals who operate businesses like yours. Next, do your homework. Write down your specific goals, objectives, and desired outcome for your business. After you've done this, you're ready to create your marketing plan. Be sure to include your:
   
   - Product description
   - Target market
   - Customer demographics
   - Price
   - Competition
   - Promotion
   - Advertising
   - Profit percentage
   - Product Guarantee
   - Product/liability Insurance
   - Budget
2. What is the exact date your product goes on a shelf, in a rack, in front of an audience, or online? Write it down. Your launch date not only gives you something to aim at, it will help keep you accountable on your way to reaching it. Your Launch Date is considered your debut or grand opening. It is the day which customers line up throughout cyberspace -- or around the block -- to be the first to buy your product.
   
   The launch date is typically set far enough ahead for a full-steam ahead marketing effort. Setting a launch date six months in advance is the minimum I would suggest for a strong marketing campaign. Anything less would compromise your efforts and results. Six or more months out increases the likelihood for great previews, reviews, blurbs and other publicity mediums. And be sure to arrange radio phone interviews and personal appearances with radio and television stations.
3. Once you have done steps one and two it's time to alert the media. As I mentioned earlier, dollar for dollar, a Media Alert is one of the most effective ways to deliver your message to the world. A Media Alert is designed to help you:
   
   Sell more product, books and CDs
   Build your business
   Gain "third party" credibility and endorsement from the media
   Secure paid speaking engagements and appearances
   Get quoted by the media
   Position you as an expert
   Distinguish you from your competitors and much more
   Increase Your Income for life
   
   What would that mean for your business, product, book, CD, or event? I'll tell you, you can write your "own ticket" when you are published in newspapers, magazines, journals, and of the like. Bookstore and event managers work more cooperatively with you when they know you have a publicist or PR person because they know it brings traffic and sales to them, too.
   
   
   When published, your media alert is put into immediate syndication. You will have access to the URL and word version of the interview for your website, newsletter, and emails to send to the radio, television, newspapers and magazines of your choice.
4. Remember to write press releases and send to free as well as paid services for distribution. Send your media kits to the press and make sure there is a picture of you. Follow up with the contacts that you have acquired often to stir excitement and urgency regarding your products, book and services. Nothing says, "I have arrived" more than when your product debuts on the market. In some cases, your "product" may be you! Let the media help you put your product on the market in record time.
5. Everyone can benefit from the guidance and support while putting their product on market. A business coach or a business support group can help you reach your destination. You can't help but benefit from the shared experience and knowledge of others. These resources can also help you hold yourself accountable for reaching your daily goals and objectives. The primary goals include helping you grow -- and stay -- in business. You can meet once a week, once a month, or even once a quarter. It's up to you.
6. This tactic requires discipline and is one you cannot afford to overlook. You must do something everyday which moves you closer to putting your product on the market. Be sure you are advertising and utilizing both online and offline resources to do so. Go out and network and establish business relationships in your community. Join your chamber of commerce. Approach your niche market everyday with the intent to advance. Be creative, daring and tenacious. Pick up the phone and tell the people about you and how your product can change their lives for the better.
7. Sell, sell, sell. But not without a specific strategy. Depending on your product and respective marketing plan, you may want to focus selling to individuals first, then small businesses. As you reach your goals, you are more than likely to open up to retail or wholesale. Business-to-business selling is fundamental in the success of many products. Todd Mogren, a successful Internet Marketer says, "We began selling to individuals. Lots of our growth today is coming from businesses, including IBM, UCLA and Ford."
   
   Illustrate the low cost and benefits of your product. Break down the price to its smallest increment and make the benefit clear. For example,
   
   "Enjoy delicious, high quality, coffee delivered to your home for less than 80 cents a day."
   
   Get the picture?
   
   If your product is a mail order item, factor in the appropriate expenses so when you package and ship it, you're not taking away from your profit. Your local post office can recommend the best mailing options. Visit www.usps.com They have excellent packaging tips.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the media up to date on your launches.
• Everything is newsworthy if written right.
• Be Honest and modest but aggressive.
• Sell your product and yourself to the media and your market.
• Keep all dates.
• The media can be your best marketing strategy or your worse.
• Use the Media don't let them use you.
• You control what the media gets to report.