At this time in 2008, arguably the biggest story in the news is the crisis facing Detroit's "Big Three" auto makers, General Motors, Chrysler and Ford. Each and every day, there are many stories coming out about the situation facing each of the companies - which have now banded together to try and get public funds as a bailout to the industry.
Although we're able to spend hours talking about this problem, we shall instead turn our focus on how you, as a small business owner, can enter the news and join the conversation to get your company some publicity. First, you have to figure out how you fit into this picture. Have you been an automobile dealer? A parts supplier? Another company that depends on the healthiness of the vehicle companies and/or car workers? Where can you easily fit in? This really is critical to then developing your "angle."
Next, to put it simply together a media release talking about how this problem affects you. Here's the important part, though. You must look for a newsworthy angle, otherwise your opinion is just an opinion - and definitely not news. So execute a poll, discuss some actual trends you're seeing, or include some stats about your historical sales in comparison to your projected sales given the outcomes of the bailout trend press wire. Reporters want to talk about stats making use of 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 would want to do some research on which reporters are doing stories on this topic. Execute a simple Google search to locate these stories. On Google, click news at the very top to filter companies. Get the contact information for these reporters and send them your release while letting them know you are more than happy to become a quotable resource because of their future stories. Reporters are always looking for a good quote.
John Sternal is an expert public relations professional with increased than 15 years experience serving clients in a variety 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 opportunity to work on sets from sports marketing to natural gas pipelines, and high technology to the entire world of automotive.
His experiences in PR span a wide selection, 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 in the united states, 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 through the 1997 Stanley Cup Finals. He was on the ice working with photo journalists through the Cup presentation in front of 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 an interest, and enjoys studying fine wines from different elements of the world.
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