How To Get Slightly Famous in Print

Early in my career, I wrote an article for a small business magazine about self-publishing as a marketing tool for businesses. Because I specialize in helping businesses get into print, the article only took a few hours to write. A few months later it was published. Almost immediately, my phone began to ring and my email box filled up with inquires.

As a result of "Be An Expert, Get More Business" I landed two clients, submitted several proposals, and added dozens of names to my mailing list. Later I used the article in my email newsletter, made glossy reprints for my marketing materials, and arranged to reprint the article in other magazines targeted at potential clients.

Years later, the benefits continue to roll in as prospects read my article on the Internet, recommend it to associates, and hire my firm because I'm an expert in Slightly Famous marketing strategies.

In one instance, a reader became a client even though her company had almost finalized a decision to hire a competitor. "We came across your article, and it made all the difference," she said. "We knew from your article that you could help us."

You might be thinking that success came easily to me because I am a writer. But you don't have to be a professional writer or seasoned journalist to get your name in print. Whether you're a management consultant or a masseuse, you can learn how to pursue print media exposure and succeed. And with more than 10,000 publications in print today, opportunities are virtually unlimited.

Visibility + Competence + Word of Mouth = REPUTATION

Getting Slightly Famous in print media means reaching a larger audience, rather than relying entirely on human contact. After all, there is only one physical you. No matter how much you network, get around, or attend meetings, YOU can only go so far.

Appearing in the media is the equivalent of expanded networking. You reach a targeted audience of people who might buy from you, and you build a relationship with your target market that can lead to sales. Even if you have a small local business, media exposure helps you establish a regional or national presence without leaving your desk.

Media exposure works because it associates your name with the authority of the media. When you read about a business in the newspaper or hear about it on the radio, chances are you immediately elevate that business above its competitors. It has solidity and credibility.

Appearing in media that reach your target market establishes a bond of trust upon which future sales are possible. Ultimately, your Slightly Famous media strategy will develop your reputation as a business of choice in your market niche. As more prospects run across your name in publications targeted at them, you will acquire an aura of expertise that will get you more business with less effort.

Publishing Articles & Columns

Bylined, contributed articles are a mainstay in many trade and special interest publications because most cannot afford full-time writers. From fillers to features, these magazines rely on freelance writers and contributors like you for at least some of their content. Often written for a small fee-or given freely in exchange for an author bio designed to elicit business-these articles show off the expertise of the businessperson or consultant who authored it.

Besides exposing your business to thousands of prospects, it's possible to get feature articles devoted entirely to your business. As a bonus, article reprints make excellent, low cost sales literature.

The key to publishing expert articles is to package your ideas in a benefit-oriented fashion. Tell prospects how to think about or apply your business solution. Give readers real information they can use, regardless of whether they will buy from you. If you don't, and use a thinly veiled sales pitch instead, editors will see through it and reject the article.

Articles are usually a one-shot deal. Columns, on the other hand, are regular engagements that allow a writer to build relationships with readers. Columns appear on a weekly or monthly basis in newspapers, magazines, and Web sites. They can brand an author not just as an expert, but also as a friend, confidante, and mentor.

You don't have to achieve "Dear Abby" status to be a successful column writer. As with any Slightly Famous marketing strategy, your column only needs to reach the right people in your target market to position you as a resource.

Be A Media Resource

Bylined articles are not the only way to see your name in print. Read any newspaper or magazine article. You will see a handful of experts quoted within stories as diverse as international business, stock market forecasts or the latest fashion trends.

Reporters are not experts. That's why they need experts from the business world to create their stories. The secret is to position yourself as a media resource.

The media rely on you, the industry expert, to give substance and credibility to their stories. Experts can be book authors, speakers, consultants, managers and professionals. If you have knowledge about a specific subject-and that subject can be your business-you qualify too.

People who get quoted in the media pursue a strategy to be on journalists' radar screens when journalists write stories about their industries. They make themselves available as expert interview sources so that journalists will think of them when they are writing relevant stories.

When you learn how the media works, and mold your expertise into a carefully-crafted media attracting strategy, you actually help the media do its job in exchange for valuable exposure for your company.

With a little effort, you can become the first person on a reporter's list when a story about your business area comes up. But it won't happen if you don't let the media know you exist!

Time, Commitment, and Consistency

You wouldn't expect a massive return on a monetary investment overnight. The same goes with getting Slightly Famous in print, where huge dividends come to those who persist.

Like all marketing activities, print media exposure is a long-term commitment that will yield long-term rewards. Is it worth the time? Yes. Landing just a few clients can pay for all your marketing costs for the next year.

If you don't give print media exposure a chance, you'll never know what it can do for you. Establishing your reputation in print takes time. But if you are committed, an inevitable "snowball effect" will take place and can bring you all the business you can handle!

About The Author

Steven Van Yoder is the author of Get Slightly Famous. He's helped dozens of business owners get "slightly" famous in print and become mini-celebrities in their fields. Visit his online community at http://www.getslightlyfamous.com where you'll find free resources and programs to help you attract more business with less effort by positioning yourself as a media resource.

News provided by Yahoo! News and Google News

Lt. Governor on pro-business legislation: 'We're on the cusp of changing our ... - Albuquerque Business First

Albuquerque Business First

Lt. Governor on pro-business legislation: 'We're on the cusp of changing our ... Albuquerque Business First Lieutenant Governor John Sanchez has seen his share of Santa Fe legislative sessions, but he thinks this year could be different. "I think we have a really good chance to pass meaningful legislation and change the culture of the state in terms of the ...

'Small Business Basics Series' begins in March
UTICA -- The Small Business Development Center is presenting a “Small Business Basics Series”, a course for entrepreneurs and existing small business owners. Six stand-alone modules plus available one-on-one counseling qualify for a Certificate of Achievement in Entrepreneurship. The location is SUNY Polytechnic Institute, 100 Seymour Road, Utica, NY, Donovan Hall.

Pair launch equity crowdfunding platform for small-biz owners - Crain's Detroit Business

Crain's Detroit Business

Pair launch equity crowdfunding platform for small-biz owners Crain's Detroit Business MichiganFunders.com co-founders Niles Heron (left) and David Tessler hope to take advantage of new state crowdfunding laws that allow entrepreneurs to offer equity stakes. 411 on Equity Crowdfunding. Equity crowdfunding uses the principles of ... and more »

SurePayroll Small Business Scorecard(R): Small Businesses on the Hunt for New Hires
Small businesses are undergoing a major change in their approach to hiring, according to February 2015 SurePayroll Small Business Scorecard. While a year ago their primary concern was the cost of salary ...

Mayor makes another vow to cut small-biz red tape - Crain's New York Business (blog)

Mayor makes another vow to cut small-biz red tape Crain's New York Business (blog) Mayor Bill de Blasio unveiled a five-year, $27 million plan Tuesday aimed at slashing red tape for small businesses, including a proposal to help business owners avoid pesky violations and fines. The plan, entitled Small Business First, includes 30 ... and more »

GST red tape hurting business, economy
Australia's GST red tape is among the most complicated in the world, stifling small business and hampering the economy, a new report says. The current system requires business owners to sift through every single transaction and justify any items that did not attract the GST, using one of eight categories to explain why. With 44 per cent of goods and services not attracting the tax, that's a lot ...

AIR MILES for Business celebrates Canada's outstanding entrepreneurs at the 2015 Small Business Achievement Awards
Congratulate Canada's rising small business owners recognized for their outstanding achievements in a variety of categories TORONTO , Feb. 23, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the AIR MILES ® Reward Program is proud ...

Correction: SmallBiz-Gas Prices story - Hickory Daily Record

Hickory Daily Record

Correction: SmallBiz-Gas Prices story Hickory Daily Record NEW YORK (AP) — In a story Jan. 28 about the impact of falling gas prices on small businesses, The Associated Press reported erroneously that CQC Home had revenue of $1.6 million in 2013, $3 million in 2014 and projects $4.5 million for 2015. and more »

Judge tells American Express it can't bully small biz - Crain's New York Business

Crain's New York Business

Judge tells American Express it can't bully small biz Crain's New York Business Judge tells American Express it can't bully small biz. The court decision could give merchants more leverage to cut costs. Last week, Costco Wholesale Corp. and JetBlue Airways Corp. ended their relationship with AmEx. Article; Comments. Print; Email ...