Link love...trust...getting noticed. That's what it's all about these days. And one of the best, most trustworty places to get noticed (and get links) is from the media. Here are 5 tips for getting all of that, and hopefully, these 5 will spur you on to think of many more.
1. Do your research. Find out what types of articles your local newspapers write about most. Find a way to fit your business or site into the subject matter that a newspaper (or talk radio show) would typically discuss. And while you are researching, check out all the media outlets in nearby towns as well. Look for those that have accompanying websites. After all, the goal here is link love.
2. Editors are always hungry for stories. They are also hungry for commentary and quotes from leaders in the field of whatever the story's subject matter is. Let them know that you are available if they need commentary on your subject matter. Let's say your name is John Schmo and your website is all about mortgages. Imagine that the paper runs an article about the high cost of housing in your area. Within that article it says, "John Schmo, of mortgagesrrrus.com, says that even high housing costs can be handled if the right mortgage is obtained..."
3. Provide lunch. Small, local newspapers are filled with cash-poor workers. Get together with your local pizza joint and arrange to have enough pizzas delivered to the newspaper office one day (Fridays are usually good, and you may not need many pizzas because some of these offices run on a skeleton crew. Check with the editor of the paper first to make sure it's ok to do this). Have the delivery person also deliver flyers along with the pizza. Make those flyers count! Whatever you put on them, make it interesting enough that you might get a story out of it.
4. Have a dog parade in front of the newspaper office with your logo all over the dogs. Ok, it doesn't have to be a dog parade, but do SOMETHING strange in front of the office. Reporters love to run outside, clicking away with their cameras, to get a great pic of something unusual that just happened in their town. Make sure you are there ready to give them information about why you are doing such a crazy thing.
5. Schmooze the editor. I've worked with a few newspaper editors in my life, and generally, they love to be wined and dined. Invite them out for a martini lunch and if they accept, give them your best pitch. Give them a reason to mention your site at some point, and if you schmooze them just right, you may get links on an on-going basis.