PR Secrets #1 - How to Find a Newsworthy Story Angle

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<html> <head> <title>PR Secrets #1 - How to Find a Newsworthy Story Angle </title> </head> <body> <h1>PR Secrets #1 - How to Find a Newsworthy Story Angle </h1> <div class="info">Author: <a href="http://www.a1articles.com/author_1_160448.html">Sue Papadoulis</a></div><div class="body">Over the coming months I'll be writing a series of articles revealing the secrets to public relations (all the things a journalist doesn't really want you to know!). As a former journalist, I understand what makes a good news story and have successfully used these tactics countless times in my own PR business Bliss Communications, and now in promoting Home Biz Chicks. In just 6 weeks Home Biz Chicks has been on TV (A Current Affair), in the press (the Stirling Times), and online (news.com.au) - and that's thanks to one media release and a bit of follow up. I'm also in discussions with a major national women's magazine and look forward to sharing that coverage with you soon. The benefits can't be underestimated - my database and membership has doubled purely as a result of just three stories in the media. <br /> <br /> So, how does it work? The first key is finding a newsworthy angle. Here's a four step guide to coming up with something that the media will find interesting:<br /> <br /> 1. Think about what's happening in the news right now. How can you become a part of the story? For example, the global economic downturn continues to dominate the headlines so now more than ever, media outlets are looking for angles that help their audience cope. There are stories about how to shop on a budget, how to get the best mortgage deal, where to find the cheapest whitegoods, how to cut your power bill - the list goes on. Think of a solution that your business provides to people during tough economic times and then make this the basis of a media release.<br /> <br /> 2. Think about current consumer trends. Where are consumers heading? Are they more interested in the environment, latest fashions, home renovating, self improvement, technical gadgets, or social media? Journalists love to be the first with news about the latest trends. In fact, often they already have a story in mind so they're just looking for someone to provide a quote and be featured - why not make that person you?<br /> <br /> 3. Provide a comment. If there's a story in the news that affects your business or impacts on your customers, put together some considered opinions and include them in a media release on the issue. Often, a media outlet will want to feature a story again (this is especially the case if it's a lead story - you will always see a follow up story the following day or in the next bulletin) and will need a new angle to keep it going. If you listen to talk back radio, there are countless opportunities to express your opinion every day. <br /> <br /> 4. Make the news yourself. If you have a decent-sized database, run a regular poll of your clients on issues that relate to your business and then create a news story about it. For example, you could poll a female audience on any number of issues (just look at a woman's magazine for ideas) like who's the sexiest male TV star, are they for or against breast feeding in public, what they think of the federal government's maternity leave initiative etc etc. Media love using figures, surveys and results - and even more so if they're critical of a government. Something like "a recent study by Home Biz Chicks reveals 80% of women it surveyed think Kevin Rudd's new maternity leave initiative doesn't go far enough", will have them sit up and take notice. <br /> <br /> Generating free publicity is not that difficult, especially if you come up with a plan for the next few months on how you will go about it, and then diarise time each week to implement your plan. <br /> <br /> © 2009 Home Biz Chicks <br /> <br /> Online entrepreneur Sue Papadoulis publishes the popular e-newsletter Smart Biz Chicks. If you're ready to jump-start your home business to make more money and have more fun and free time, get your FREE tips now at www.homebizchicks.com. <br /> <br /> WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? Become a Home Biz Chick member and you'll access specialised and expert information on everything you need to know about home business including how to generate a home business idea, how to put it into practice, and how to make it outstandingly successful. You can also connect with other like-minded women who are happy to share their experiences and wisdom. Home Biz Chicks offers articles, special reports, audio teleseminars and other resources to help women who work from home. Sign up at www.homebizchicks.com. <br /> <br /> Chief Chick Sue Papadoulis is committed to empowering women who work from home with the means and know-how to live a life of abundance. Sue educates and advises work-from-home women, and those who dream of working from home. A wife, mother and the owner of two successful home-based businesses, Sue is uniquely positioned to help others.<br /> <br /> </div> <div class="source">Article Source: <a href="http://www.a1articles.com/pr-secrets-1--how-to-find-a-newsworthy-story-angle-975394.html">http://www.a1articles.com/pr-secrets-1--how-to-find-a-newsworthy-story-angle-975394.html</a></div> <div class="author"> <div class="authorBio"></div> </author> </body> </html>

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PR Secrets #1 - How to Find a Newsworthy Story Angle Author: Sue Papadoulis Over the coming months I'll be writing a series of articles revealing the secrets to public relations (all the things a journalist doesn't really want you to know!). As a former journalist, I understand what makes a good news story and have successfully used these tactics countless times in my own PR business Bliss Communications, and now in promoting Home Biz Chicks. In just 6 weeks Home Biz Chicks has been on TV (A Current Affair), in the press (the Stirling Times), and online (news.com.au) - and that's thanks to one media release and a bit of follow up. I'm also in discussions with a major national women's magazine and look forward to sharing that coverage with you soon. The benefits can't be underestimated - my database and membership has doubled purely as a result of just three stories in the media. So, how does it work? The first key is finding a newsworthy angle. Here's a four step guide to coming up with something that the media will find interesting: 1. Think about what's happening in the news right now. How can you become a part of the story? For example, the global economic downturn continues to dominate the headlines so now more than ever, media outlets are looking for angles that help their audience cope. There are stories about how to shop on a budget, how to get the best mortgage deal, where to find the cheapest whitegoods, how to cut your power bill - the list goes on. Think of a solution that your business provides to people during tough economic times and then make this the basis of a media release. 2. Think about current consumer trends. Where are consumers heading? Are they more interested in the environment, latest fashions, home renovating, self improvement, technical gadgets, or social media? Journalists love to be the first with news about the latest trends. In fact, often they already have a story in mind so they're just looking for someone to provide a quote and be featured - why not make that person you? 3. Provide a comment. If there's a story in the news that affects your business or impacts on your customers, put together some considered opinions and include them in a media release on the issue. Often, a media outlet will want to feature a story again (this is especially the case if it's a lead story - you will always see a follow up story the following day or in the next bulletin) and will need a new angle to keep it going. If you listen to talk back radio, there are countless opportunities to express your opinion every day. 4. Make the news yourself. If you have a decent-sized database, run a regular poll of your clients on issues that relate to your business and then create a news story about it. For example, you could poll a female audience on any number of issues (just look at a woman's magazine for ideas) like who's the sexiest male TV star, are they for or against breast feeding in public, what they think of the federal government's maternity leave initiative etc etc. Media love using figures, surveys and results - and even more so if they're critical of a government. Something like "a recent study by Home Biz Chicks reveals 80% of women it surveyed think Kevin Rudd's new maternity leave initiative doesn't go far enough", will have them sit up and take notice. Generating free publicity is not that difficult, especially if you come up with a plan for the next few months on how you will go about it, and then diarise time each week to implement your plan. © 2009 Home Biz Chicks Online entrepreneur Sue Papadoulis publishes the popular e-newsletter Smart Biz Chicks. If you're ready to jump-start your home business to make more money and have more fun and free time, get your FREE tips now at www.homebizchicks.com. WANT TO SEE MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE? Become a Home Biz Chick member and you'll access specialised and expert information on everything you need to know about home business including how to generate a home business idea, how to put it into practice, and how to make it outstandingly successful. You can also connect with other like-minded women who are happy to share their experiences and wisdom. Home Biz Chicks offers articles, special reports, audio teleseminars and other resources to help women who work from home. Sign up at www.homebizchicks.com. Chief Chick Sue Papadoulis is committed to empowering women who work from home with the means and know-how to live a life of abundance. Sue educates and advises work-from-home women, and those who dream of working from home. A wife, mother and the owner of two successful home-based businesses, Sue is uniquely positioned to help others. Article Source: http://www.a1articles.com/pr-secrets-1--how-to-find-a-newsworthy-story-angle-975394.html About the Author:

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