Get Some Media Coverage This Holiday Season

As the year draws to a close, things are beginning to wind down with the holiday season in full swing.

And if you think things are slow, just ask a news reporter. It’s dreadful!

That’s why if you are a savvy publicity seeker, you can really hit the motherload of media coverage this season.

Now, the majority media professionals won’t tell you this, but the slowest time of the year are holidays – with the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day practically dragging. With most businesses closed or short staffed during this week, it’s no wonder there’s very little news available for reporters to cover.

Just take a second to think about it: what’s do you normally see on the news during the holiday season? Some parades, a soup kitchen and celebrity gossip become the main stories. That’s why journalists are craving a fresh story – on just about anything.

If you want some visibility, checkout these ideas to generate news:

• Surveys and polls – Surveys and polls are easy for journalists to use to create interesting stories. The key is to get a good sampling: at least 100 for a local story, or 500 for a national news angle.Why not conduct one during the holiday sales season and announce the results via press release during the slow week? If you are a business coach, how about a survey on what business owners fear most for the upcoming year may be a great one.

• Trends – Did you see a trend this season? Was there something that flew off your shelves that you didn’t expect to? Did more people ask you a specific question about your expertise? Then let the media know.

• Tips – These are great fillers – especially for newspapers when the paid advertising space has dwindled down after the holiday frenzy. Think of a few tips that relate to your customers or clients needs and write them in a news release format. A great idea is to relate new years resolutions to your business and use your expertise to garner exposure.

But there’s more to getting media coverage than just coming up with a great idea. During the slow news times, it’s all about availability. Be around to accept interviews and questions – and that means offering journalists ways to get in touch with you beyond normal business hours. You’ll be the hero and remembered in the future.