How To Get Publicity For Your Business Now

Ever stumble upon an idea, service or product that you just have to share with everyone you come in contact? There's an amazing story that goes with it and you know that everyone is going want to know the details? As soon as people find out about [insert the good news], Dateline, 60 Minutes and Oprah will be banging down your door? Of course you do! That's why you're in business, right?

 Realistically though, once you run through the above excitement, perhaps it's not Oprah-ready just yet. This doesn't mean that your business, product and or service isn't newsworthy. It just means you have some homework to do before you reach out to the press.

Here are the key questions to ask yourself:

1) Who is my target audience? Your service or product is important to someone. What station is your audience listening to or viewing, and what publications are these individuals reading, in print and online? You're more likely to get exposure when you're reaching out to an audience that has an interest in what you do and/or sell. Don't reach out to the beauty editor when you're selling hot sauce. Even if she is your friend.

2) What is the information I'm going to share? When attempting to garner press coverage for your business, product and or service, clearly identify "what" it is that you're sharing with the world. Be able to share the important features, how it works and what it does. If you're not sure "what" your product or service is and what you're trying to share, it may be difficult for someone else to identify as well. There have been times where I've talked out the "what is it?" to myself and realize...there's nothing there. You want to clearly be able to articulate what it is you're sharing. This leads us to...

3) Why is this information important? Is your product, service or business solving a problem or making people's lives easier? While your goal is to bring exposure to your business, product or service. A reporter/writer's goal is to inform the public. Let's say you've renovated your office space and the walls are lavender, the only lavender walls in a 25-mile radius! Interesting? Maybe. Newsworthy...not so much. Now if the walls are lavender, you imported the paint from Spain, you're the first person to have these walls in Tampa Bay and they have magical healing properties...the story is getting better and there may be an outlet out there interested in covering.

The bottom line is: When you're thinking about media coverage for you, your business, product or service, be sure to answer who you're reaching, what you're sharing and why it's important. This will help you to develop your story and present a good possible feature to the media.

To help build a buzz about your business, check out this local upcoming networking event:

• The Upper Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce is hosting "Night With The Stars" on Feb. 26 at 6:30pm at The Nielsen Company, 501 Booker Creek Boulevard. Oldsmar, FL 34677. The event will benefit the group's education foundation and also offer great opportunities for networking. For more information call: (813) 855-4233.