Your One Call Away From Authority.
If you want authority, there is a way to get it with one phone call. I’m not kidding. You can avoid wasting time and money on social media gimmicks, huge agency fees, and the latest tech trends. Yep. It’s old school and it works….
Win Third-Party Credibility You Can’t Get Any Other Way.
To be known as the expert in your area, you want reporters, publishers, and producers at the top media venues (that your target market pays attention to) sharing your story.
No. I’m not talking about advertising. I’m referring to free placements that give you third-party credibility.
Specifically, when influential media members publish a story about you and your business or practice, you get instant authority. This is because someone your target market trusts is talking about you in a way that presents you as a newsworthy, credible expert.
And if your competitors are not mentioned in the story, guess who the viewers/listeners are going to remember
and call if they need your products or services? Not the competition.
That’s the power of public relations in action!
“Wow! This sounds great. But Melanie, don’t I need to hire a big agency, distribute press releases, and spend thousands to do this?” The answer is a resounding “No”!
Just go old school and pick up the phone.
It’s about taking these 3 steps:
1. Research media members.
Who are the top people you need to reach that connect with your target market? What do they care about?
2. Practice your story pitch.
Offer valuable information specific to their audience without selling. This may pertain to tips, recent news story insights, comments on a local community event, or an entertaining insight.
3. Make the call.
Call the media member, introduce yourself and tell them you have some valuable information or breaking news to share with their audience.
Let them know you are available as an expert for future stories. And yes, this needs to be a phone call because it breaks through the digital noise and provides human interaction.
You can send an email follow-up later.
Then, this is what happens…
A. They interview you, and you get a story right away; and/or
B. They wait to publish a story, connect with you on a regular basis, and use you as a credible expert resource in the future.
I’ve seen entrepreneurs follow this process and enjoy a feature story in the next day’s local newspaper! New clients or patients came in their door because they wanted to work with the authority figure they read about in the news.
No wasted resources… just authority!
Yes, you can gain third-party credibility overnight. It’s a matter of planning ahead and talking to another human being. Forget the latest tech fads and expensive social media ads. Just keep it simple and go pick up the phone already!
