The media makes a living by providing valuable news and information to its audience. Newspaper editors and TV's managing editors are bombarded every day with news releases from all over the world that they have to read, review, and consider for inclusion...consider for their readership.
Some musicians believe that if they write a press release that is newsworthy, that there is an obligation on the part of the newspaper to publish it. Not only is this not true, but this kind of attitude can be detrimental to obtaining the coverage that you want.
The media is not an extension of your marketing department. But, if you are fortunate and savvy enough to have information of value that their readers may be interested in, you will at least attract their attention. Editors are not ad sales people. They're journalists and they take pride in delivering unbiased coverage independent of outside influences.
That said, many "hometown" papers will accept a "trade" for an advertising commitment -- they'll print your release if you buy their ads. Take advantage of this practice as much as you can, just be careful not to approach the legitimate press with any type of bartering proposal. It may destroy your chances of getting your releases accepted now and in the future.
You Must Generate Real News
Generating news and information that people and the press will be interested in is not as difficult as it may sound. All you have to do is ask the question, "What does my target audience care about?" Asking this question will help to focus your thoughts and ideas. Conducting some research on a specific topic or question will help you get the answer.
Another easy way to develop content for your press release is to create a "swipe file" of related news articles. A swipe file is collection of other people's creative work whether it's news articles, newspaper, and magazine ads or direct mailings. Use your swipe file for is to get your creative juices flowing. I call this method "creative inspiration."
Don't limit your swipe file to items related to your industry. Put any ad or direct mail piece in your swipe file that jumps out at you and catches your attention. Even if you just find words that you like, or an image that hits you -- put it in there. On the other hand,
Save the best pieces for your swipe file. You can also consider creating a "Stinker File" for all the really bad ads you see
David Hooper is the founder of Kathode Ray Music, an artist
development organization specializing in promotion and marketing
of independent musicians and bands. Visit http://WWW.ROCK-MUSICIANS.COM for more tips and hints for musicians, bands, and
songwriters.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Learn About the World's Most Valuable Stamps
- True reasons of the world economic crisis
- World of Warcraft Characters and Their Unique Skills
- Tips to Find World of Warcraft Gold for Sale
- Fast World Of Warcraft Gold - Different Ways To Make Fast WoW Gold
- Wow Gold | Wow Power Leveling | World of Warcraft Powerleveling
- Valuable Vintage Items: Popular Collectibles That are Gaining in Value
- Are You Looking For World Of Warcraft Gold In All The Wrong Places?
Gain Exposure by Giving Away Corporate Gifts and Promotional Products
By: Caitlina Fuller | 26/12/2009If you run a medium sized or large business then you know how important it is to maintain a great relationship with your employees as well as with your customers and clients. Many employees who work for large corporations often feel under-appreciated and unnoticed by those up on the 'higher rungs' of the corporate ladder.
Paying For a Free Xbox 360 Elite?
By: Jason Main | 26/12/2009Marketing have had innovations that made Americans grab on to the chance of getting a deal for little to no money involved. These happen just about anywhere they see, more often at times on TV like the Shopping Channel and the ever familiar Australian-accented 'but wait, there's more' plug-in that...
Promotional Items Have A Wide Range of Usefulness
By: Kris Ann | 25/12/2009When using promotional products in your marketing plans, there are a lot of unique ways to use them. If you actually implement them in all these varied ways you will see an increase in sales and raise your name recognition. The main usage for these is always advertising, whether it be increasing community knowledge of your business or helping you to cross sell they are highly useful. It's important to have a good grasp of how to use them in your business in order to find that effectiveness.
Home Business Marketing Tips
By: Jason Kay | 25/12/2009As with any successful business, a home business needs to be effectively marketed so that customers keep coming to buy what you have to offer. However, if you are like many that have a home business you are probably on a very limited budget. This can hinder you greatly in...
Why a Personal Recipe Makes Online Marketing Taste Great
By: Scott Lindsay | 25/12/2009What makes your marketing approach different - unique? Really, can you define the tactics that set you apart? Maybe it all comes down to the ingredients and technique. There are some great restaurants that sell some awesome food. Well, at least some of the time. I can go to one steak...
The Efusion MLM Review and Network Marketing
By: Tammy Morton | 25/12/2009It is not unreasonable to fear that a business might turn out to be a scam, which is why reviews like this Efusion MLM Review turn out to prove important for us. Let us go through this Efusion MLM Review and see if Efusion is really a good option for...
Beachbody MLM Review: A Closer Look
By: Tammy Morton | 25/12/2009Let us look at one of the very unique ideas of MLM network marketing through this Beachbody MLM Review. This business was started about 10 years ago, in August 1999. As the name might hint at, this business deals with staying fit and healthy through proper exercises and health supplements....
Grow Your Network Marketing Business With Facebook
By: Shirley Muhammad | 25/12/2009If you haven't heard about Facebook yet, you must have been hiding under a rock. Facebook is a social media website that is now the 2nd most visited website in the world, second only to Google. There are an estimated 300 million active users on Facebook. It's interactive platform makes...
Do You Have Problems Getting Things Done?
By: David Hooper | 19/09/2005 | Self HelpProblem isn't usually the interruption though...it's the people being interrupted. There is something about most people which makes them feel they should.
The Secret To Long-Term Music Business Income
By: David Hooper | 18/09/2005 | MarketingYou rather make one sale for a one-time $65, or one sale for a monthly subscription at $10 per month? I would rather have the monthly subscription, because after the seventh.
The Press Does Not Owe You Anything!
By: David Hooper | 18/09/2005 | MarketingThat they have to read, review, and consider for inclusion...consider for their readership. Some musicians believe that if they write a press release that is newsworthy, that.
Marketing Lessons From A Las Vegas Hooker
By: David Hooper | 18/09/2005 | MarketingDecided on a few room service options which the hotel catering department didn't provide, if you know what I mean. And while the subject will be titalating to some, there are.
Marketing Lessons From A Las Vegas Strip Club
By: David Hooper | 18/09/2005 | MarketingGo through their biggest music business problems. It was great. The guys in this group are smart and the group came up with some incredible ways for folks to generate.
The Third Ear
By: David Hooper | 13/09/2005 | Art & EntertainmentA few edits today. I talk and the producer works the board... So why have two extra people in where space (and ventilation) are at a premium? Kathode Ray Music is ten.
Audio On The Web - How To Do It With Ease
By: David Hooper | 13/09/2005 | Art & EntertainmentYou? There are usually two reasons: 1. People are scared to giveaway their music because "people don't buy what they get for free." This isn't true and.