Once you’ve decided to take the plunge and throw yourself into starting your own business, getting media attention is a fairly big hurdle to overcome. Being new to the market you have to establish credibility and become visible to the media. Exposure is how you gain publicity and a reputation.
Coverage
When you are confident that your branding, company message and content is clear and concise, it’s time to get your message heard. The point of using media is to communicate who you are and what your values are. There are a few different ways to achieve that goal. Utilizing SEO copywriting services will help your business be seen when people are searching the internet for services they are looking to give their business to.
The biggest reason startups fail is because of the lack of exposure. It lends to reason being successful will be difficult if no one knows who you are or what you can do. Start by telling people what makes your product or service unique. Get the backing of those who are happy with your product; happy customers can’t wait to tell anyone who will listen to why they are so satisfied. Word of mouth advertising is invaluable because it’s organic and people trust other people who’ve had positive experiences.
Download Branding Resources Guide
Building a brand starts by having the right tools and advice. Download our top 10 essential tools and resources to kick-start your branding.
Pay attention to social media. Notice who gets the most attention and align yourself with them. Engage their posts and make your presence known. If these influencers feel confident about who you are or what your business promotes, they will happily post about what you have to offer. Keep in mind, influencing others on social media directly reflects on the one promoting it; if they stand behind a business that is less than worthy of their attention, they will lose credibility.
Platform
Knowing how big of a role social media plays in marketing, you have to be sure you tailor your content to line up with where you are trying to gain exposure. Promoting your business on social media is not a one size fits all. Meaning, you can’t post the same content on every platform you use, you have to tailor the posts to align with the outlet you are using. For example, knowing if the outlet you are using is driven by graphics as opposed to written content, your contribution should be in the format that coincides with the site’s norms; otherwise, it will not be effective.
Think about why social media is so popular. Is it because of the hard sale or the stories that evoke emotion and sentiment? Don’t be afraid to appeal to human nature. Everyone wants to experience something that makes them feel good; tug at the heartstrings and win your audience over with sentiment and forego the hard sale.
You have a story to tell, don’t be afraid to tell it. Let people learn who you are through your experiences and show them how you are making a difference. Once you get people interested in your stories, they will actively seek out more. They will want to learn more about you, your company and the impact you’re making. Once you’ve established rapport and interest, then you can safely sell.
Educate and Compete
Why not take advantage of a captive audience by also educating your targeted audience on what you bring to the table? Knowledge is powerful if used correctly. Don’t discount the appeal of engagement. Hold competitions that appeal to your target and solicit involvement. Not only are you gaining more exposure, but potential customers.
Marketing is as effective as the product or service you are offering. In order to be successful, you need both to be good.
