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Photo credit: Lauren Kallen
When it comes to maximizing your publicity efforts, scoring a national media hit is usually a major goal, but if you are a small business, you may only need hyper-local publicity placements. For example, you’re a Westchester County doctor or owner of a small coffee shop and only want to establish a strong presence in your local community.
Here are ideas on how to get your business featured n the newspaper:
- Pitch trends: Are there new trends in the area or is the community undergoing a revitalization? Pitch a local business editor an article or segment about the revival. Ask other local businesses to participate and provide sources to interview.
- Give back: The media loves feel-good stories. Raise funds for a local non-profit. At the event, take photos of the actual donation and invite the media to cover the event.
- Show me the money: Speaking of money, has your company saved by converting to energy-efficient light bulbs or using a technique that is environmentally friendly? The money or environmental editor might be interested in an article or segment.
- Cook it up: At holiday time, pitch recipes, ideas and cooking tips or tricks. For example, if you own a small coffee shop, pair the best foods and wine or share ideas on specialized coffees that you can give.
- Look around: What are other local businesses doing? For example, The Cecil in Harlem recently had an event with Esquire Magazine where they hosted a large party with top editors, who were able to taste their food and get to know and understand the restaurant’s concept. It was followed by a brunch with a DJ. Guests took photos and posted them to Instagram with specific hashtags.
- Pitch an employee: Maybe an employee has achieved something spectacular, so pitch them to the features section for a profile. You could also pitch them for relevant award nominations and submissions.
Here are ideas on how to get your business in regional broadcast media:
- Visualize the story. Pitching Westchester broadcast media is very different than pitching traditional Westchester print media. What will make your story stand out are your visuals. Think about how you can visually bring the story to life for television. Go out of your way to make your story aesthetically appealing to a producer. You can even add some props, such as a stunning table display, if you think it will add to the story.
- Tie it in. Give the producer a compelling reason to run the story now. For example, your pitch has a strong tie-in to a Westchester calendar event. For example, Ruby Media Group, a leading public relations and social media agency in Westchester, NY and the New York metropolitan area pitched and secured a story on The Cooking Realtors’ Tomato Sauce. It was the featured package on News 12 Westchester on Saturday at 5 pm. The larger trend was that this was a behind-the-scenes peek into one Westchester resident’s annual tradition that hundreds of Westchester residents participate in all weekend. By mentioning the fact that hundreds of county residents also do this, the appeal of the segment suddenly became a lot larger.
- Walk the producers through the process. After you’ve secured a segment, walk the producers through it. For example, we stirred the tomatoes and let the producer taste the sauce. We also had b-roll opportunities available to show the entire process from beginning to end to visually walk the viewer through it.
- Provide sources. Producers like when you have additional sources available. If you are hosting an event, have other attendees or sources available to talk to the press.
- Don’t forget the 5 Ws. This goes without saying, but if you want Westchester media to show up, be sure to provide them all of the relevant details in one condensed email: who, what, where, when and why. Also, provide correct spellings up front for all town names, resident IDs and interview names. The address of the location shoot and a phone number of a point of contact are also critical.
- Graphics. Be sure to capture tons of graphics before, during, and after the event. Many of these graphics can be used to promote the segment on social media (a must!) and to include in a post-event release for extended coverage. If you want to re-pitch the same segment when the event takes place next year, it is good to have accompanied graphics to help show what the finished product will look like. Get super creative with your graphics by combining screenshots of the press coverage with photos of the displays you created. We recommend using some of our favorite apps to create these pieces: PIP Camera, Photo Mirror, FotoFus, InstaMag.
Most importantly, get to know your local reporters and what beat they cover. By building a relationship, you will score more media hits because the journalists will remember who you are and include you in their next article or segment.
How can a PR firm help my business secure more press?
Public relations (PR) experts specialize in managing and promoting the public image of individuals, organizations, and companies.
Publicists build relationships with the media and other key stakeholders and create and implement strategies that communicate their clients’ brand messages effectively with the goal of influencing public opinion.
PR experts use a variety of tactics to promote their clients’ messages, including media outreach, social media engagement, event planning, and crisis management.
Our award-winning Westchester County PR agency can help you with the following:
- Writing press releases and communications materials
- Developing and implementing social media marketing strategies
- Pitching stories to journalists and editors
- Organizing events and press conferences
- Monitoring media coverage and analyzing results
- Providing crisis communication support
How can a local Westchester County marketing and public relations agency help a business owner navigate the media?
When choosing a PR firm, it is important to consider your specific business needs and PR goals.
The best PR firm in Westchester NY will vary depending on your specific needs and public relations business goals.
Why is a local PR firm in Westchester County better than an agency who doesn’t live there?
Choosing a local PR agency in Westchester County ensures that you have support from professionals who not only understand the global best practices in PR, but also bring a valuable local perspective that enhances your engagement with the local community to improve your media relations strategy.
A local PR agency in Westchester County such as Ruby Media Group can offer several unique advantages for businesses looking to navigate the media landscape effectively, particularly when compared to agencies that are not based in the region.
Here’s how a local Westchester County PR firm can be beneficial and why it might be a better choice:
Local Media Relationships
A local PR agency typically has established relationships with Westchester media outlets, including newspapers, television stations, and radio channels. These relationships can facilitate more efficient media relations, faster response times to pitches, and ultimately lead to more extensive media coverage in Westchester County, New York. Reporters are more likely to reply to someone they already know and have a trusted relationship with. Working with a local Westchester PR and marketing agency allows you to skip the line and move from delete to read.
Understanding the Local Audience and Landscape
Local Westchester public relations firms have a better grasp of the local community’s preferences, concerns, and interests. This understanding allows us to tailor messages that resonate well with the local community members, key stakeholders, and reporters, ultimately increasing the effectiveness of corporate communication campaigns. Simply put, we know what works and what matters to residents and reporters. Whether it is economic development or driving tourism to Westchester County, the agency is plugged into the pulse of the county. This benefits you because our pitches relate to issues that matter most to regional reporters.
Community Engagement
Local PR agencies are often more involved and visible at community events like Westchester Magazine Best of Westchester. We can leverage these connections to enhance your presence at local events, align your brand with community values, and build stronger local networks. We can negotiate better sponsorship deals for you with key publications in the region so that you get more out of your total ad spend. Their presence at local events pays off. Outlets are more likely to go above and beyond for someone who gives volume media buys and who they already have a trusted relationship with.
Localized PR & Marketing Strategies
Publicity strategies developed by a local Scarsdale NY marketing agency are often specifically tailored to the nuances of the Westchester County market. This can include local issues, policy, and economic conditions that may not be understood by an outside firm. Living in the county you do business in pays off when it comes to forging a partnership with a regional agency.
Faster Response and Accessibility
Being in the same geographical area allows for quicker meetings, easier collaboration, and a faster response to emerging situations or media opportunities. This proximity can be especially crucial during crises when immediate action is needed.
Reputation Management Among Local Stakeholders
A local Westchester County PR firm can more effectively manage your reputation in the community because they understand the local dynamics and key influencers who shape public opinion in Westchester County.
Cost-Effectiveness
Working with a local agency might reduce costs associated with travel and logistics compared to working with an agency from outside the area.
Supporting Local Economy
Engaging with a local firm supports the local economy and can enhance your brand’s image as a community-focused business. Investing in local women owned business like Ruby Media Group aids economic development initiatives to re-invest in Westchester County.
Customized Media Training
Local PR firms can provide media training that addresses specific local media formats and expectations, preparing you for how to interact more effectively with the Westchester media.
Insight into Regulations
Local PR professionals are more likely to be knowledgeable about regional regulations, the political climate, and local issues that could impact public relations efforts.
PUBLIC RELATIONS NEW YORK | WESTCHESTER COUNTY PR & MARKETING FIRM
Get Tier 1 Media Results with Ruby Media Group
There’s no doubt that getting featured in major media outlets can be a huge boon for your business. But achieving those results can be difficult – especially if you don’t have the time or resources to do it yourself. That’s where our Westchester County, NY PR firm comes in. We have years of experience placing founders in magazines, newspapers, TV, and podcasts. We know what it takes to get results that will help your business reach new heights in search engine results.
Ruby Media Group | Highly-rated PR firm in Westchester County
Get Ready to Take Your Business to the Next Level with PR that Converts
Are you ready to take your business to the next level? With our award-winning PR services, you can do just that. Our team of experienced public relations professionals will help you craft a unique and effective PR strategy to ensure your business stands out from the competition.
Your business needs a customized approach to make sure your message is heard. That’s why we take the time to get to know you and your business, so we can create a tailored publicity strategy that will help you reach your media goals.
Our award-winning PR services include:
– A comprehensive analysis and business of your current PR strategy
– A custom-crafted PR plan tailored to your business
– A detailed timeline of public relations campaign activities and goals
Take your business to the next level and sign up for PR services today
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Ruby Media Group is an award-winning NY Public Relations Firm and NYC Social Media Marketing Agency. The New York PR Firm specializes in healthcare marketing, healthcare PR and medical practice marketing. Ruby Media Group helps companies increase their exposure through leveraging social media and digital PR. RMG conducts a thorough deep dive into an organizations brand identity, and then creates a digital footprint and comprehensive strategy to execute against.