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As work at home moms, we have to learn how to use the media to our advantage and not fear them.  Most of us are concentrating on internet advertising and promotion due to its affordability, but we can’t forget about our offline efforts as well.

Of course, we all want the POSITIVE media attention.  But how the heck do us work at home moms go about achieving both online and offline media coverage?

That’s the number 1 question on my mind right now, so I’ve put together a list of tips that can help us all out:

Adopt a Charity: Sponsoring an event for a charity (either local or online) will help get your business recognized within your community.  Make sure that the chosen charity has some type of connection to your business which will help you become identified with a good cause.  Volunteer to become a spokesperson for the organization, or even sit on their board of directors.   By creating this type of goodwill, you will bring attention to your business – and your efforts may even be tax-deductible.  Other ideas for this are to create a Public Service Announcement or a viral video.

Plan Ahead: We’re into September and already it’s almost too late to plan for your holiday publicity.  Most publications plan a good 4 – 6 months in advance.  Contact the advertising department of the publications you’re looking at and request a media kit.  In many cases, media kits are also available online (may also be called Editorial Calendars).  The kit should outline the stories and topics that will be highlighted in each issue, in addition to deadlines.

Another good site to check out is PRCalendar.com:

Studying the calendar will help both business owners as well as PR professionals be aware of events and dates that may drive the news cycle, or might offer an opportunity for publicity.

Become an Expert: Seriously, this one should be a no-brainer, but it’s not.  Check out this quick video by jounalist Jeff Crilley, which brings home the point in under a minute:

Meet A Journalist:  Find out who your local industry journalist is, and ask them out for coffee or even lunch.  No one can tell you with more accuracy just what they’re looking for than the person writing the articles!  Remember, they are people too and there’s no reason to be scared of them.   Plan a few ideas in advance that you can go over with your new media contact and remember, it’s a discussion – not a sales call!   After your meeting, write several timely editorials that will be of interest to your market.  Most newspapers and print publications also publish their stories on their website as well.

Adopt a charity (local or online) that has some connection to your business or that will get your business

recognized in the community.  Offer to help sponsor an event for the charity or run a membership campaign. Be the spokesperson for the organization, or get on their board of directors. In other words, get yourself identified with a good cause.  Your efforts can be tax-deductible (ask your tax adviser about this) and the goodwill you create in the community will bring lots of people into your business.

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