Three More Ways to Get in the News

In my teleclasses, on the blog, on webinars and just about everywhere I am, period, I'm always discussing ways to get your stories in the news.

We talk a lot about events and even being your own news station but there are also a few ways you may want to share your story that may only be directly involved with your organization.

Here are a few areas that can net you news coverage, too, if you can offer your own experience or expertise and if you believe you have knowledge that can help people:

• Health and wellness. I'm plugged into several reporter query databases and it seems someone always wants to know about work and your health. Do you have a story about how you overcame work-related stress or an unwanted weight gain? Did you beat some disease against the odds and want to share how you did it? You may have some information to contribute for a story.
• Mommyhood and family dynamics. Flexible schedules, momtrepreneurs and even stay-at-home dads are trends that can easily be plugged into for a media outlet. Do you have some unique family arrangement that supports your career? Recover from a nasty divorce and want to warn others about do's and don'ts? You may have a story.
• Gadgets, technology and helpful doodads. Everyone wants to know what the next big thing is in apps, social media and the like. Have you found something that you just can't live or work without and want to help spread the word? Caution, though...don't promote a product that you are just trying to sell...such human interest stories are usually completely organic.

The moral of the story? If you have something to say, there's usually an outlet for it. Media is more than just the mainstream newspaper or broadcast show, and there are magazines, TV shows, books and radio shows that could feature your great story or advice.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and publicity strategist with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.

Can You Be An Expert?

We have all seen news stories where someone says something controversial. Then another person comes forward to disagree. Or another person comes forward to agree.

All of sudden, news coverage turns into a glorified "he said, she said" fest.

But it's the nature of the beast and it's actually a way for an individual or organization to generate publicity for themselves. For example, if an expert economist makes a startling statement such as, "The housing market will never recover!" and you are also an expert, you can call up a reporter and say, "Well, that's just not so...and here's why."

Keep in mind, though, there are some things to note as far as whether you qualify to comment:

• Make sure you can intelligently speak on the issue. It should be something that covers either your expertise or something that you have had experience in.
• Gather statistics. It's always good to show the numbers that back up your assessment.
• Be factual. There's nothing worse than an argument based on inaccuracies.
• Don't do it JUST to get publicity. Make sure you have something to offer to discussion and/or something people need to know about the topic.

Bridgette Outten is a journalist and media relations consultant with The Write Vision Group, Inc. With a background in print media, she has written thousands of articles for newspapers and online publications. At The Write Vision Group, Bridgette consults with nonprofits and small businesses about how to get their programs and efforts in the news. Meanwhile, she blogs on all things journalism.