Free media

The "freebie" is a sacred tenant of journalists. Heaven knows, will not pay for the job and in most cases. Thus, freebies or pleasure trips, which is known in the media game, a well-deserved Perk considered. Here is an example of some of the freebies I had during my 12 years as a newspaper and TV journalist.

- A major two-day celebration to Great Keppel Island off the coast of Central Queensland
- New food samples
- Tickets
- Cinema Tickets
- Books
- CD
- DVD
- Grog
- T-Shirts
- Beauty Products
- Meals

And I used only a fraction of the opportunities I was offered free of charge. But of course there is no such thing as a free lunch. The dealer hopes to free media exposure in return, and the journalist knows this. How does it work? Do you increase your chances of free media exposure through donations free stuff reporters? Well, it is by no means guaranteed, but certainly as hell can not hurt your chances.

Why does it work? Well, apparently it is for a journalist it is exposed to your product. But also, have you heard of the law of reciprocity? The theory behind the law is if you give something to someone that they feel compelled to respond as a token of his gratitude. And it often works. I know that I was actually a subtle unspoken pressure to provide coverage for a freebie in return. But when the freebie was not good for my media setup, I was often able to deliver it.

Here's 2 tips to maximize the impact of freebies.

Tip 1 --

Make sure you carefully target your freebie. It can be quite expensive if you only send things to the media for better or worse. And the more directly your free samples, the better your chances of coverage. If you want to work in the cosmetic industry, for example, and you have a new blush, you win, send a sample to a beauty writer is probably much higher success rate, it is reported in a general news reporter.

The exception to this rule is the smaller publications, a beauty section, but not a specialist beauty reporter. Submit your book on a very niche topic of limited interest to a general reporter of a mainstream media outlet. Making better use of resources, the book is a niche media channel for a topic that is relevant to your book to send. Not offer a trip to a banquet media outlet that does not regularly travel reports.

Tip # 2 --

Make sure that your gift makes a sensation. Journos get free stuff because all the time. Therefore, we have to send something a bit over the limit - or edible received - to their knowledge. You see, freebie, who worked most often caused the crash on the editorial offices in Essen, I was hot and cold drinks.

When a pizza chain would be in a couple of bowls with its newest flavor for lunch or send a cookie to save would be in some samples of their press release, it was everyone's attention and often ended up more than a plug in our books to be sent. Even if the worst case, you get no direct exposure to the media, you can count on you are on top of journalists is spirit, and it may well pay dividends down the track if they have a story to write for your industry in context .

In fact, it is actually a donut company, a massive outline almost exclusively on the back of the tray to send the editors-free products are built. The amount of column inches they deserve from this alone is astronomical. And the cost of advertising, it is dirt cheap compared to a smart and moving.