getting creative
With more and more people vying to make their voice heard, how can you make yours stand out? In this episode of my podcast with fellow content pro and Digital Marketing Expert Rachel Clapp Miller #ContentHacks takes a look at the role of credibility and why it’s so important to growing your business and/or brand.
Plain and simple, credibility creates opportunity.
It’s not enough to have a good bio these days. There are a number of ways you can boost your credibility.
These days you don’t need to be on TV to get your message in front of a live audience. Facebook Live is like having your own TV channel and you control the message. But what really works? What doesn’t? How do you measure success? How do you build an audience? Roshanda Pratt, The Rosho Live, Storteller Strategist and Heartfelt Producer shares her insight on our latest #contenthacks podcast. You should have seen Rachel Clapp Miller and I when Ro told us the one thing you shouldn’t say that will alienate your watchers. We had no idea! I bet you didn’t think about it either!
Check out Roshanda on Facebook for more great info
Any working parent knows what it’s like to have to take a phone call or reply to an email when your child is looking at you with big eyes begging you, “Pay Attention to Me!”
It’s a good tactic for a toddler. But as children get older, simply begging for attention doesn’t cut it. In fact, it gets a little old. As kids age they learn we can’t give everything they do the same attention so they begin to chose what’s really important and draw our attention to that.
Pitching your story to the media is a little bit like that.
Simply asking for attention doesn’t guarantee it.
The media needs to know why now? What is so important that it needs our attention?
Digital marketing guru and communications specialist Rachel Clapp Miller and I tackle some of the most important things to consider when pitching your story to the media in our latest podcast, ‘Content Hacks.’
Tens of thousands. That’s the best number I could come up with. I tried to calculate how many pitches I have read over my 24+ years working in the media. Journalists aren’t known for their mathematical strength so I gave up and called it tens of thousands. The point is I have seen more than a few. I have turned down more than I have accepted. I know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to selling your story to the media.
First, you need to know that simply sending a press release is not the same thing as pitching a story. Think of a press release as an announcement. Maybe you have a new product line coming out or are holding a new a class. Maybe you are a new business to the area. All of that is fine. It’s just not necessarily THE story.
The story might be how your product line fits a new trend. Your class might tie into a study in the news. Maybe your business is the first of its kind in that part of town. Whatever it is, your pitch should help the editor or producer ‘SEE’ the story. Then attach the press release, if you have one, for more information.
It is not necessary to have a press release to pitch a story.
Now, on to why your pitch was turned down.
There are a hundred more reasons beyond those listed that could also explain your ‘No’. One thing is certain. You can be sure you aren’t alone. Bigger businesses have gotten a “no” too.
The truth is, you may never know why an editor turned you down. There just isn’t time in their day to offer everyone constructive or encouraging feedback to explain their decision.
So take it as ‘not now’ instead of ‘no’ and try again another time.
For more information to help you create more effective content, easier, follow my podcast with Digital marketing and communication specialist Rachel Clapp Miller, Content Hacks.
There is nothing worse as a content creator than the panic that sets in when you sit down to write and a good topic seems to escape you. Now what?
Sometimes the best content is right under your nose! But you won’t see it if you don’t know where to look!
Lucky for you, I created a podcast with my ever so creative friend, Communications Specialist and Digital Marketer, Rachel Clapp Miller. In the latest installment of Content Hacks, we’ll tell you where to look for new ideas.
And you might be surprised what the number one thing you can do to find good content is….
I have worked in the media for more than 2 decades. That means I have worked with a lot of News Directors, Executive Producers, Editors and other bosses.
Each one taught me something. But a handful of them gave me advice that I find myself still repeating to this day.
Communications Specialist and Digital Marketer Rachel Clapp Miller and I were recently talking about our favorite managers and decided to share some of the best advice with you in our podcast ‘Content Hacks.’
In less than 10 minutes we’ll share the answers to questions like, “What do people remember most about the stories you tell? Which of the 5 W’s is the most important? What is the one thing you should do after you think you are done writing?”
Take a listen and then let us know what is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
You look at the clock for the third time in 5 minutes. Your heart races. Your eyes pore into the blank page in front of you as your brain screams ‘WRITE SOMETHING!” For many people, creating content to raise brand awareness does not come naturally.
Yet, it is increasingly critical to the long-term success of your business or organization. Long gone are the days of cold calls, hard sells and stale press releases. You need authentic content that connects with your customers and, more importantly, potential customers. And did I mention, you need it FAST!?
In this edition of our podcast, Content Hacks, Rachel Clapp Miller, Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist and I recently shared a few hacks that can help ensure you don’t have to relive that moment of panic every week.
Have a listen then check out the handy downloadable checklist below!
Here’s a short list.
Keep a content calendar.
Develop a system for retaining ideas to use later.
Write something every day
Use email as both a way to elicit answers from a source and as the subject of possible topics.
Write backwards. Start with a compelling headline.
Don’t write at all. Instead utilize photos, infographics, podcasts and other platforms to reach your audience.
If you like these ideas, download this PDF for a quick checklist to follow every week. Content Hacks Reference Sheet
“If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?” The age old riddle of the tree is a good question for anyone responsible for helping raise awareness of a particular brand or organization.
Think of it like this, ‘If you post a blog, a photo, or a white paper and no one reads it, did you really say anything?” or did you spend a lot of time creating content for nothing?
None of us has time to spare! So let’s agree that creating content for nothing is a waste of time. There are a lot of reason why content doesn’t work. It could be a topic that doesn’t matter to your audience or it could be a great topic that no one will read because of the way it’s presented.
Rachel Clapp Miller, Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist and I recently started a podcast called Content Hacks. In our first installment, we look at what makes effective content.