FAQ
What is the difference between advertising and Public Relations (PR)?
Advertising is publicity that you pay for. PR is publicity that you get for free. It can come in the form of a newspaper or magazine story, an interview on TV or radio, or a story about you on TV or radio. Today, the Internet offers a wide range of PR opportunities, as well.
What is a press release and why do I need one?
A press release (also called a news release) is your calling-card to the media.
You must have a press release to get Free Publicity.
It is written in newspaper style and is usually 400 – 600 words long. The release must be structured in the proper way. It’s purpose is to interest the media in doing a story on you. Though it is usually not intended to be the the entire story itself, the media will sometimes use it that way.
Again, I emphasize that you must have a well-written press release. If you were to invent a cure for cancer and called journalists to tell them, the first thing they would do is tell you to send a press release.
One of the main reasons many worthy people and organizations don’t get Free Publicity is because they don’t have a well-written press release.
Why should I use a pro?
Like many things in life, people who specialize in something are usually better at it than everyone else. The good PR practitioners, and there are a lot of mediocre ones, know what journalists want and how to give it to them. They know how to deal with journalists. The money that you pay a good publicist is a tiny fraction of what it would cost to buy that much advertising space or airtime. Plus, PR is much more credible than an ad because it is viewed as news. It has a much higher value.
How does the process work?
First, you and I will talk so that I can learn a little more about you and your goals.
Together, we will establish a plan of action.
Then I will do a formal interview with you, just like a journalist does, so that I can write your press release and perhaps some other material that will support it, such as a fact sheet, bio, company history and other related materials.
After I write the press release, etc., I will send it to you for your approval.
Once you approve what I have written, I will send your material to the media outlets that we agreed upon.
After they receive it, I will follow up with the journalists to help move them in the direction of doing a story on you.
When journalists decide to do a story on you, they will contact you.
The next step is the best part, you get to read the story about you or watch yourself on TV.
Is there a guarantee?
Anybody who guarantees that you will get Free Publicity is lying. However, a skilled publicist can dramatically increase the chances you will get the kind of publicity you are seeking.
Why should I hire you?
I am the author of the book, “You Can Be Famous: Insider Secrets to Getting Free Publicity,” which will be released later this year.
I have worked for newspapers as an editor and a reporter.
As a freelance writer I have had hundreds of articles published in about 75 newspapers and magazines. That means I’ve worked with lots of editors. I know what journalists want and what they don’t want.
I also have people skills. I spent a number of years in sales and I co-wrote a book on persuasion tactics. To learn more, click on the About Me tab above.
I have helped other people get Free Publicity, so I have a track record. You may want to check out my Testimonials page.
Have more questions? Contact me (Dan): dan@getfreepublicitynow.com
