How to obtain free PR | Celena Ross - My Business Doctor

One of the questions that I have received many times over the years, is how to you obtain free PR?

How do you have your photo in the paper so often?

How do you receive so much media coverage?

How do you get journalists to contact you to be quoted on an area of your expertise?

And as someone observing the media coverage that I have received over the years, I understand their questions. ?As a previous journalist, I understand why it is that I have received the coverage I have received to date.

In the past few weeks, I have been the front cover of Sunshine Coast Profile Magazine and the feature story.

This publication has some 18,000 printed copies and of course online ? I just don?t know how many people will?actually?see and read my story. ?I do know that in the past 24 hours I have already received two wedding?inquiries?- my other business hat!

If you would like to read the full story here is the link:

http://issuu.com/profile_mag/docs/sunshine_coast_june

So a few answers?.relationships! ?I have a strong background in volunteer work ? in the business areana. ?This in itself assisted me to be a source of information as I submitted media releases. ?However, I would go out of my way, at business functions to get to know key journalists ? and I would call them to let them know of the media coverage I was seeking ? but I always had in mind an unusual or unique angle or photo that would make it attractive to them and make their very busy job easier.

Most recently, I was interviewed because I had left my government?position?after some 15 years, to start up My Business Doctor. In essence, really I am the same one could consider as many other?business?advisers?.however when it came to the photo?.again, knowing that photographers, journalists and editors are always looking for something different?.I suggested that rather than just a head and shoulder photo?.that we meet in the premises of one of the businesses I was assisting ? Go Arty.

The article appeared in the Sunshine Coast Daily ? Business News Section. ?Now the article could have appeared anywhere within the 6 to 8 pages ? however it was published on the front page!

The reason? ?Knowing that all concerned HATE head and shoulder boring photos!

The backdrop of the photo was to showcase one or two of the originial contemporary artwork of Go Arty ? and I chose those in my logo colour scheme!

Next I spotted some ceramic strawberries and said ?Oh strawberries?..here you are Wanda?.open up??.and dangled a large strawberry in front of her?..

The concept of this was engaging me?will help you experience the Sweet Taste of Business Success?

Now then, been a networking and always looking for What?s in it for Them?.I wanted Wanda to have a catchy photo ? so we incluced a very large paint brush also.

The photo ? well it was published on the front page!

And then did the rounds on social media sites where I posted it and people liked it.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2012/04/10/on-doctors-orders/

So think outside of the square if you are being or looking to be photographed for your business, launch, event, product or service. I remember when I was President of the Sunshine Coast Business Women?s Network?.we were to hand over a ?large amount of money ?for a Women?s Refuge?..so rather than a boring large cheque photo?..I knew that the refuge was seeking a new?refrigerator?and some new toys so I arranged for a photo with a fridge and we then filled the fridge with stuffed toys?.something more interesting than just standing there handing over a large cheque!

Remember the saying ? a picture is worth a 1000 words!

My photo for my celebrant site: www.celenarosscelebrant.com.au

is a little different from the usual photos of wedding celebrants ? it is not just head and shoulder ? it is quirky with some movement ? indicating playful, fun, easy to get along with, down to earth and friendly personality.

All so important in the decision making of a bridal couple looking to engage a celebrant ? and hoping that they won?t be overbearing or pompous.

Oh?..that is a white feather pen in my hand ? in case you can?t quite see it.

The photos that I have were professionally taken by Traci Castle from Studio Republic at Kawana. She is just great to work with and produces the most fantastic photos. ?And I have now used these photos in a variety of ways for media.

Just as I commenced My Business Doctor and Celena Ross Celebrant, I was contacted by Business Magazine, and they published one of the professional photos along with a shsort blurb on my new business. ?The next month?s edition, Business Matters contacted me?.I had been nominated to appear in a large business issue promotion a wide range of businesses?.and my photo appeared on the front cover ? yes long with some other 40 businesses and I also had quarter of a page inside the magazine.

The reason that I received such generous media promotional opportunities is often due to the years of?networking?and development of relationships. ?Always looking for the What?s In It for Them? mentality??and this has assisted me in development of my profile on the Sunshine Coast. ?So this is the next tip. Get out there and network. ?Yes if possible get out and volunteer ? look for opportunities to serve on business association committees.

Networking with purpose! ?The Purpose is helping other businesses! Looking for ways to introduce them to B2B opportunities to people that you know that may assist them in their busienss growth. Looking out for informaiton ? and contact with them in a down to earth people contact?.not ?a in your face selling ? aren?t I fantastic (read full of myself) ?.use my product or service?.let me buy you a coffee to tell you more about my product/service?.

Networking is not about selling, it is about building trust, relationships.

Often a person is not wanting or in a position to necessarily buy immediately??or they must not actually want what you are selling?..ever?..for whatever reason??but they might know someone who may be interested.

My networking ? my reputation for going the extra mile ? going out of my way ? assisting others, over the years wherever I could ? without expectations for myself?..has assisted me also in some further free PR in the past few weeks.

This time it was for the Sunshine Coast Women?s Lifestyle Expo in September at the Kawana Community Centre in September.

A network contact who is assisting with the content for the monthly online magazine made contact and asked me to submit an article and photo.

The article can be read at the following site with the article and photo on the front page and I am in the middle of the page with a businesswoman on eighter side of me.

http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=dbfd256d4dabba876025cb4f2&id=2d9b3ff73d

I have written a few posts on Networking and if you don?t feel that you are?comfortable?or needing some tips on how to Network for people and business relationship development I recommend that you stop and read these as well as Google further information on Networking ? as it is a Skill for Life!

What isn?t PR? ?It isn?t just emailing a media release to the relevant media. ?Where possible it is about establishing a relationship. It is about talkign to them and thinking about the reader of the story and what photo might caputre their imagination.

It is about been relevant and up to date with your information.

It is about positioning yourself as an expert ? try and create a niche area that you are known for ? for your expertise.

Respond to journalists as quickly as possible when they are seeking information or quotes from you.

You can often meet some of the influential business journalists at business and social events. And of course, you can raise your profile via Social Media sites, by responding to some of their posts.

Find out what journalists that you would like to have contact with, belong in facebook groups?.or respond to their blogs by leaving positive or ?guru educated? comments!

Local media is of course not the only way for PR ? I have recently responded to some requests via different sites for quotes by journalists seeking to add to their stories?..these can be anywhere in the world?..but of course?.with the internet the world is very small now and with email, Skype etc?.my clients can come from anywhere!

The other op;tion is to contact a local or internet PR agency ? they already have the contacts and are worth the $?s you spend ? yes even though they cannot 100% guarantee that you will?receive?the free PR.

Good luck and my PR be with, ?for and about you!

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