At the risk of this sounding like trumpet blowing - I thought it worth sharing my recent radio and newspaper success with you all. If you've ever fancied trying to get some publicity this way, this might be helpful.

Here's what I did - I picked up on the fact that last Monday had been reported as going to be the busiest day of the year for online shopping. So I tied that in with our main branding point - that we have no hidden charges, no gimmicks and no nonsense. I put together a short email with some simple advice on how to avoid getting annoyed by hidden charges and other tricks some online shops use.

I sent it to BBC Radio Sheffield - Radio Sheffield contacted me straight away to be interviewed by Howard Pressman. When the interview was confirmed I emailed all the local papers to say I was going to be on the radio.

I think they were interested for these reasons:
1. it was a timely story (biggest internet shopping day)
2. it was giving advice
3. it was from a local company
4. because I used the radio interview as the first sentence of my email, I gained some credibility

I hope this can help some of you to try and get some publicity for your businesses this way.

It worked for us, I was on the radio 4 or 5 times on Monday, I'm on The Star website here: http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Easy-way-to-shop-but.4785718.jp and will be in The Star tonight. Plus I'm going back on the Radio 5th Jan to talk about identity theft.

I'm not saying I'm an expert or anything but feel free to ask any questions, or if you've got any other ideas post below.

Cheers

This does work.

A few years ago The Big Man Shop in Stocksbridge was setting up a mail order catalogue.

They ran a competition to find models to be in the catalogue.

They contacted Radio Sheffield and Radio Sheffield ran the competition, or at least got involved in promoting the competition.

The Sheffield Star also got involved as well.

It does show that if you can come up with a unique idea that will be of local interest you can get radio and newspapers involved to add to your publicity.

Well done you!! Thanks for sharing with us. Just getting my thinking cap on now!

www.sheffieldtherapycentre.co.uk
Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Chiropody, Chiropractic, Massage

Just got back from BBC Radio Sheffield and I should be on between 3pm and 6pm. The Star also rang me on Christmas Eve!

ok ill blow my own trumpet my claim to fame not quite as good as radio Sheffield or The star please go look see i'm on page 10 of the Rotherham Muse http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/graphics/Leisure/Community+Arts/ just click on the PDF link

Thanks for looking
Dizzy

fantastic example of the best advertising - the free kind!

well done you and hopefully it'll bring in still more business.

will you be able to feature the publicity on your website?

please go look see i'm on page 10 of the Rotherham Muse

That's a great write up, well done. It reads really well and tells people exactly what you do and more importantly why you do it. Where can people buy your bags?

That's a great write up, well done. It reads really well and tells people exactly what you do and more importantly why you do it. Where can people buy your bags?


Hi,

I teach people how to make the bags that way more carrier bags are reused and less end up in landfill...
If you know any groups who would be interested they can contact me dizzybees@btinternet.com

I can't think of anywhere off hand, although my daughters school are eco crazy - how old would you say children need to be to master the art?

Hi,

Thanks for asking :)

I teach all ages and abilities and a wide range of crafts including Bead loom jewelery rag rugs and of course the Eco project ( carrier bags, ring pulls, material, junk mail, sweet wrappers video tapes etc etc). The eco project would be from about 8 years.

BTW i was in The sheffield Star Saturday 10th :)


Dizzy

She's a bit young then, but I'll try and remember when she gets to the juniors.

Congratulations on making it in to The Star (post a link)

I was in The Star again on Friday - talking about identity theft, it's not on their website yet though

Hi
i'm here blowing my trumpet again

I was in the Sheffield Star on The 10th jan

please go look see

http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/Boys-take-up-Elaine39s-challenge.4861257.jp

Dizzy

Well done!

keep it up - If only i could get that sort of publicity :P

If only i could get that sort of publicity :P

You can we just need to work out your news story.

Here's my Friday afternoon idea to get you started - Newspapers are always looking for good photo stories. Have a think about what you can go out and shoot in and around Sheffield that will make an interesting article in the paper.

You could pick something new - when a new building goes up or something new appears - get down there, (and as it's portraits you do) photograph peoples reactions (without them realising) to the new thing. Get their permission (they'll need to sign a release form) and send them to the newspaper - they'll hopefully run them and say who took them and talk a bit about what you do.

What a good idea!
All i need to do now is find out a good spot :P
Thanks!

Amanda

[QUOTE=OM@More;4409005]At the risk of this sounding like trumpet blowing - I thought it worth sharing my recent radio and newspaper success with you all. If you've ever fancied trying to get some publicity this way, this might be helpful.

Here's what I did - I picked up on the fact that last Monday had been reported as going to be the busiest day of the year for online shopping. So I tied that in with our main branding point - that we have no hidden charges, no gimmicks and no nonsense. I put together a short email with some simple advice on how to avoid getting annoyed by hidden charges and other tricks some online shops use.

I sent it to BBC Radio Sheffield - Radio Sheffield contacted me straight away to be interviewed by Howard Pressman. When the interview was confirmed I emailed all the local papers to say I was going to be on the radio.

I think they were interested for these reasons:
1. it was a timely story (biggest internet shopping day)
2. it was giving advice
3. it was from a local company
4. because I used the radio interview as the first sentence of my email, I gained some credibility

I hope this can help some of you to try and get some publicity for your businesses this way.

It worked for us, I was on the radio 4 or 5 times on Monday, I'm on The Star website here: http://www.thestar.co.uk/headlines/Easy-way-to-shop-but.4785718.jp and will be in The Star tonight. Plus I'm going back on the Radio 5th Jan to talk about identity theft.

A good way to get media attention is to keep a look out on the stories and whats happening. When I set up 1st-To-Find Investigations, I emailed the Sheffield Star. I made up a great headline ''Female Private Investigator''. In my email, I stated I was tackling the CSA (seeing as past media coverage was talkiung about the CSA) so i knew this would be a good topic. If you google Caroline Stokes & Michele Elwood you can see the press release. This was then picked up by Hallam FM .. Radio 5 Live, Radio Sheffield, Radio Viking etc. Since then, i speak regular on the topic if CSA, if you read the papers and pick up on subjects, you can make your own good headlines.

Hope this helps.