What Are You Hooked On?- Part II

2. Timely-This is related to what is newsworthy, but involves a little more immediacy or something that’s tied to an event. Is time for kids to go back to school or time to do little spring cleaning? Another way to look at it is to ask yourself what is trendy or hot right now. The answers to those questions could be a great springboard to a timely hook.

3. Seasonal- Simply put..what time of the year or season is it? Can you tie your business into the renewal of springtime, the fun in the summer or the hustle and bustle of the holiday season? I’m sure you can, if you think about it. Be creative!

The thing to remember about crafting your hook is that it represents you and your business. Most importantly, it represents what you can offer to an audience and potentially your customers. Your hook can make or break you. Make it one they will remember!

What Are You Hooked On?

When it comes to getting free publicity for your product, service or business, there are several "must haves" that have to be in place.  One of them is a "hook", that one element that will make people sit up, take notice and WANT to listen to what you have to say.

For instance, say that you want a local or national talk show to do a feature story on your business.  Before you pick up the phone and call that producer or reporter, you better know what your hook will be.  If not, you will be wasting your time.  When you don't have a hook, it's like telling the whole world that there's nothing special about you, that there's nothing that separates you from the masses.  I know that's not the message you want to tell.

So, for the next two posts, I will be giving you three suggestions on what makes a compelling hook.  

1.  You should know by now what the first point is.  Your hook must be newsworthy.  What is the  hot button issue in the news right now?  What are people talking about?  Is it unemployment, the stimulus bill, the housing market?  There are TONS of angles out there you can pull from.  Pick one and run with it.

Stay tuned for #2 and #3.

So you wanna be on tv?

The number one question I get from my clients all the time is: 

"Can you get me on Oprah???!?!".

While I may not be able to guarantee you a guest spot on the Oprah show, I can give you some tried and true advice on how to score an interview on the news and/or a talk show.  

If you want free publicity, the television is the best way to get it.  Where else can you reach your target audience by the thousands, all at one time?  If you are prepared, you can showcase your business, product or service in a way that will have customers flocking to your door by the truckloads.  The purpose of free publicity is to have people talking about you at their watercooler, to have YOU be the topic of conversation at dinner tables across the country.   

So, what do you need to do to get booked on a local or national television show? You must meet these three criteria:

1.  You need to have a "Guess What?!" factor, a hook.  Something that will make people want to tune in to what you have to say.

2. Remember, that visual is better.  It's television, which means its better to SHOW than TELL.

3. Be unique, creative and innovative.  Be different than the norm.

Apply these steps and you'll have television and news producers ringing your phone off the hook.  When you get that call, remember you only get one chance to make a first impression.  MAKE IT A GOOD ONE!