Business Insights

By Pam Lontos

As a business owner, you probably know that publicity is important to your success. But many businesses (and maybe you’re one of them) make crucial mistakes in their publicity campaigns. While some of the mistakes are more detrimental than others, the actual costs can be staggering.
For example, saying the wrong thing to a reporter may only cost you a quote in a national magazine. But in advertising dollars, that quote could have been worth hundreds. And you never really know who would have read the interview. Maybe a reporter for USA Today or maybe Oprah’s producer (or maybe even Oprah herself). Plus, what about all the time, money, and effort you spent in getting that reporter on the phone?
It’s true; everyone makes mistakes. By being aware of the more common ones, at least you can take action to avoid them. If you want to make the most of every publicity opportunity that comes your way, consider the following mistakes that businesses commonly make in their publicity campaigns:

Thinking hundreds of customers will walk through their door from one hit.
Fame and name recognition take time and repetition to build. In fact, a person will need to see your name and logo around six or seven times before they actually remember it. So regardless of what you’ve heard, there’s no such thing as an overnight success.

Not being unique in their approach.
No one wants to hear the same old message over and over again. So develop a hook, or unique angle that sets your business apart from others. For example, if you own a restaurant, consider what’s unique about it. What’s unique about your menu? Has the restaurant been family-owned and operated for generations? Do you offer vegetarian cuisine? The more you can make your message unique or different from the “old way,” the more attention you’ll attract.

Thinking they can’t get into a large publication.
Many small business owners feel intimidated by the big name publications. They envision high-powered magazine editors schmoozing with big company CEOs and lining up interviews with well-known figureheads for the next six months. In reality, editors scramble daily to find people to interview who have knowledge on the latest trends and topics. Realize too that editors must find new and exciting people to interview either weekly or monthly, so the more knowledgeable people they can add to their database, the better. Make yourself stand out as a reliable information source and you will get the media’s attention.

Thinking small publications don’t matter.
Even big name businesses had to build their expertise and name recognition by starting in small publications and trade journals. Although they aren’t sold on newsstands, you never know who’s reading them. So don’t overlook small publications as a foundation for your publicity.


Thinking their ideas are wonderful.
Touting your experience and explaining all the reasons why your business is wonderful to an editor is not an effective way to pitch your ideas. In fact, this is an immediate turn-off. Realize that an editor or reporter only cares about one thing: their readers. So instead of telling them all about your ideas and your business, first learn about their readers and what they want.

Pitching themselves, instead of a story for the audience.
Always pitch a publication or program by highlighting the benefits your business can offer their particular audience. Consider what uniqueness you can offer and why their readers or viewers will be interested in what you have to say.

Pitching the wrong person.
Besides wasting your time, pitching your ideas to the wrong media person will likely frustrate them. If you have an article you’d like to publish, you need to talk to an editor. But if you want to score an interview, you need a reporter.

Not finding out what reporters really want.
As you present your idea to a reporter, ask questions about what they’re looking for and what their audience is looking for. Then make changes to your initial idea based on their responses. Don’t try to “sell” your idea if it isn’t a good fit; instead, promote alternate ideas and emphasize your ability to address a variety of issues.

Not answering the reporter’s questions.
Always let the reporter or interviewer lead the conversation, because they most likely have an agenda for the story’s development already in mind. Don’t attempt to take over the conversation or talk about points the reporter doesn’t want to cover. They simply won’t include you in the final story.

Not getting to the point.
Audiences and readers love to hear firsthand accounts of experiences relating to the topic because it helps them know you on a more personal level. But don’t overload the reporter with unnecessary information that isn’t directly related to the story, and don’t ramble. If you can’t convey your message in a short amount of time, then your answer won’t be used.

Not respecting the reporter’s time.
Reporters work on time sensitive deadlines, and nothing will irritate them more than you being inconsiderate. So before you start pitching your ideas, always ask if they are on deadline. If yes, ask for a more convenient call back time.

Not gearing their pitch to the specific publication.
If you get a “no” response from an editor, reporter, or producer, always ask, “What don’t you like?” Then adapt your presentation on the spot. The more you learn about their needs and customize your message for their specific audience, the more likely you’ll be featured in their publication or on their show.

Making it an advertisement for their product or service.
Authors spend a large portion of their time selling their books because the profession simply demands it. But interviews and articles are not the right place to go on and on about your expertise and knowledge. You must let your information speak for itself. By giving solid, useable information, audiences will automatically know how great your book is.

Not providing their publicist with material and information in a timely manner.
Business owners are busy—that’s a given. But so are publicists, editors, and reporters. In order for your information to get into the right people’s hands, you need to give your publicist the requested information in a timely manner. Your publicist can’t pitch you and your book unless he or she has the most relevant information about you that showcases all you have to offer in a positive way. And if you make your publicist wait for information to send an editor or reporter, you may miss your chance to get interviewed or featured in your desired media outlet.

Not understanding the importance of frequency of publicity.
While it takes a long time to build your name recognition in the marketplace, it takes no time at all for people to forget about you. So you have to maintain the frequency of your publicity throughout the life of your business, especially when your competition maintains the frequency of theirs. Otherwise, you become old news.

Better Publicity in the Future
Just like everyone makes mistakes, everyone can avoid them by being aware of the common ones. When you make yourself aware of these fifteen most common mistakes that business owners make in their publicity campaigns, you can make the most of every opportunity and achieve a greater level of success in your business.

About the Author:
Pam Lontos is owner of PR/PR, a public relations firm that specializes in professional speakers, authors, and experts. Having been an author, speaker, and former VP of Disney's Shamrock Broadcasting, she knows the ropes of getting you good publicity and how to use it to really boost your business. Call for a free consultation at (407) 299-6128, and sign up for a free publicity tips e-newsletter at www.prpr.net.

By Pam Lontos

Finally! All your press releases and public relations efforts have paid off and you’ve scored an interview with a major magazine. Your hard work is done, now all you have to do is show up for the interview, answer a few questions, and your product or service will start selling like mad, right? Not so fast.

Granted, getting an interview takes great effort. But an interview doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get quoted in the final article. If your image is unprofessional, if your information isn’t quite what the reporter wanted, or worse yet, if you come across as rude, then you won’t get plugged in the article and you definitely won’t get another chance.

So what can you do to make the right impression and help ensure that you’re quoted in the final article? Use the following five strategies for giving a great interview and getting the media attention your business deserves:

#1 Take Time to Prepare for the Interview

Whether you’re meeting the reporter for a cup of coffee or conducting the interview over the phone, you must be prepared. Before the interview begins, write three to five main points that you want to cover on an index card. That way you won’t struggle with an answer during the interview and you won’t forget to mention any important topics.

You can also use the points on your card as backup information. Reporters will inevitably ask you at least one question you don’t want to or can’t answer. In case you are unable to respond, you can say, “That brings up an interesting point...” then go on to one of your prepared statements. If this doesn’t work, offer to find out the answer to the questions and get back to them as soon as possible.

If your interview is over the phone, don’t be tempted to read scripted responses from a pre-printed sheet. Reporters can tell when your words are read off a page versus when you’re giving honest, unscripted answers.

#2 Be Polite and Easy to Work With

Magazine reporters are busy people with time sensitive deadlines to meet and editors to satisfy. So if you don’t respond to their calls and messages or if you’re late for the scheduled interview, then they won’t hesitate to move on and find someone else to quote.

During the interview, be helpful and show that you care about the reporter and their job at hand. Ask what you can do to make his or her job easier. Listen to their answer and be an eager, accessible source of information. Also ask the reporter if you are speaking too quickly. Despite available technology, many reporters still take notes by hand. Speak slowly so they don’t miss any of your points.

Everyone likes compliments, so always find something positive about the reporter to build rapport. Maybe you’ve read some of the reporter’s other stories, or maybe you like their shirt. Whatever compliments you can give, make them truthful and sincere. And don’t be pushy about what you want, because ultimately it is up to them whether or not they mention your book. Ask, “If you are able to, would you please mention my product or service?” The reporter will decide how much room to allow for your business, web address, products and services, price, etc.

#3 Give Plenty of Information

Many business professionals fear giving away too much information to reporters. They think that if they say too much, then no one will need their products or services. But spoiling your years of training and research in a few quotes is impossible. In reality, if you don’t give away enough information you probably won’t get quoted at all. Reporters usually interview at least two or three sources for each article.

After a few interviews, if you notice that other experts get several paragraphs while you only get a sentence, or maybe you don’t get quoted at all, then you aren’t giving the reporter enough information. So be forthright, and answer the reporter’s question accurately and thoroughly. Don’t say, “You’ll get the answer when you hire me.”

Also, let the reporter lead the conversation. The reporter most likely has an agenda for the story’s development already in mind. Don’t attempt to take over the conversation or talk about points the reporter does not want to cover, because if you don’t give them what they want, they simply won’t include you in the final story.

#4 Be Accurate

Keep your responses to the reporter’s questions simple. Even if your business is in a very technical or scientific field, avoid uncommon words, industry jargon, and out-of-date phrases. Speak as if you were explaining something to the reporter for the first time. But speak with authority and confidence, and don’t say, “I think” or “maybe.”

When you’re talking to the media, always be prepared to back up your claims because reporters want facts. Instead of saying, “The majority of people do this...” say, “85% of my clients do this...” And be sure to stick to the facts. Don’t overload the reporter with unnecessary information that is not directly related to the story.

Realize that in the media world, there’s no such thing as off the record. So always assume that everything you say is on tape and will be put into print. Don’t ask the reporter to send you a copy of the story for your approval. While this may seem like a reasonable request, it will only offend a seasoned reporter. But do ask for a copy of the magazine to keep as a souvenir. This will show how pleased you are that the reporter has given you the opportunity to get quoted in the publication.

#5 Find Future Stories

Always view your interview as an opportunity to establish a working relationship with the reporter. You want the reporter to see you as a resource that they can use for information now and for stories in the future. Just like you’re always looking for ways to get quoted, reporters are always looking for people to quote. So at the end of every interview, always ask what other stories they are covering and what other publications they write for.

Explain how you can be beneficial to the different stories and leads they are investigating. And don’t be afraid to mention topics outside your industry. While you may work in one field, you’re probably an expert in many areas outside your profession.

Great Interviews in the Future

Media exposure is undoubtedly one of the best ways to boost business. But landing an interview doesn’t guarantee you’ll get quoted in the reporter’s story. When you use these five strategies for giving a great interview, you’ll have a better chance of getting quoted and of getting called back to interview for stories in the future.

About the Author:
Pam Lontos is owner of PR/PR, a public relations firm that specializes in professional speakers, authors, and experts. Having been an author, speaker, and former VP of Disney's Shamrock Broadcasting, she knows the ropes of getting you good publicity and how to use it to really boost your business. Call for a free consultation at (407) 299-6128, and sign up for a free publicity tips e-newsletter at www.prpr.net.

Great Interviews
By Pam Lontos

Besides spreading the word about your product or service, what’s the best thing about landing a radio interview? The answer is: you can conduct the interview wearing your pajamas! But there’s a catch. You can’t sound like you’re wearing your pajamas.

That’s right. Even though you’re talking on the phone to the reporter and no one can see you, you still have to communicate a professional image. Otherwise, the radio producers might bump you from the show and they definitely won’t call you back for future stories.

So how can you ensure that you make the right impression and, perhaps more importantly, that you’re called back for more interviews? You can use the following fifteen tips for giving great radio interviews:

1. Allow yourself private time prior to the interview. Use this time to relax and focus. Imagine that you are speaking with the interviewer face to face. Rehearse the points you want to make and remember that you can never be too prepared.

2. Seek a quiet spot for the interview. If you are speaking from home, close yourself off in a room with few distractions. Turn off your computer, TV, or radio, and clear your desk so nothing can take your mind off the conversation.

3. Write your main points before the call begins. Do not read scripted responses from a pre-printed sheet, because reporters can tell when something is being read to them versus when you’re giving honest answers. But do prepare a note card with three to five topics you would like to touch upon during the interview. That way you won’t struggle with an answer during the interview.

4. Show that you care about the reporter and their story. Be helpful and responsive to their requests. Ask the interviewer what you can do to make his or her job easier. Then really listen to their answer and be an eager, accessible source of information.

5. Stand while giving the interview. Even though you’re talking on the phone, act as if you were giving a live presentation and stand tall. Standing will raise your energy level and you will be more alert than if you sere sitting. Radio interviewers love energy and can really pick up on your mood.

6. Smile, and answer honestly and sincerely. People can hear your smile over the phone and a reporter will feel more comfortable after hearing the joy in your voice. Also, the sound of smiling builds a rapport with interviewers. If they feel they can trust you, they will think of you first for their next interview.

7. Put energy and spunk into your voice. No one wants to listen to a monotonous drone on the radio, and the reporters and producers know this. So even before the interview, assure the radio reporters that you’ll be pleasant to the listeners’ ears by putting energy into your voice. This could make the difference between a mundane interview and a great conversation.

8. Have backup information handy. Reporters will inevitably ask you one question you don’t want to or can’t answer (this is another place your note card comes in handy). In case you are unable to respond, you can say, “That brings up an interesting point...” then go on to one of your prepared statements. Or, offer to find out the answer to the questions and get back to them as soon as possible.

9. Be concise. The average answer to a given question is only nine seconds long. If you cannot convey your message in this short amount of time, your answer will not be used. So be careful not to ramble and stick to the facts. Don’t overload the reporter with unnecessary information that is not directly related to the story.

10. Be forthright. Answer the reporter’s question accurately and thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to give away too much information. Many business professionals fear that they might give too much and then no one will buy their product or service. But it’s impossible to spoil years of experience and training in a five minute radio interview, and the radio listeners will actually want more when you give them a little. So answer the questions and don’t say, “You’ll find the answer to that when you buy my product or service.”

11. Use the word “you” often. The word “you” draws the listeners in and helps them relate to what you’re saying. And always give the listeners a reason to pay attention by adding benefit statements to the facts in your presentation.

12. Let the reporter lead the conversation. The reporter most likely has an agenda for the story’s development already in mind, so don’t attempt to take over the conversation or talk about points the reporter does not want to cover.

13. Incorporate personal experiences into your responses. Audiences love to hear firsthand accounts of experiences relating to the topic. It helps them feel as if they know you personally. But make sure you stay on topic and don’t get distracted with your story.

14. Be prepared to back up your claims. Reporters want factual information. So instead of saying, “The majority of people do this...” say, “Eighty-five percent of my clients do this...” And don’t say, “I think” or “maybe.” Speak with authority and confidence.

15. Find future stories. After the interview, thank the reporter and ask what other stories they’re covering. Even if their other stories don’t directly pertain to your business, explain how you can be beneficial to what they are investigating.

Interviews in the Future
Although radio interviews usually only entail a ten minute phone call, you still need to take your time and prepare for it beforehand. You don’t have to shower and shave, but you do need to have energy and excitement in your voice. During the call, you want to put your best foot forward with clear, honest, and accurate responses. And when you’re finished, don’t forget to thank the reporter and offer to help on other stories.

When you use these fifteen tips for giving great radio interviews, you’ll communicate a professional, expert image to the reporter and the audience for you and your business.

About the Author:
Pam Lontos is owner of PR/PR, a public relations firm that specializes in professional speakers, authors, and experts. Having been an author, speaker, and former VP of Disney's Shamrock Broadcasting, she knows the ropes of getting you good publicity and how to use it to really boost your business. Call for a free consultation at (407) 299-6128, and sign up for a free publicity tips e-newsletter at www.prpr.net.
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George Torok
Host of Business in Motion