Get Media Smart with Cheryl Tan

What you will learn: How to turn media attention into sales

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #14.

You did it!

Congratulations!

You have completed the 2-week Become a Media Magnet Challenge. How did you do? How do you feel?

Do you have any success stories? I would love to share them.

If you’re just hearing this, you can still take the free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

Today, I'll address a very important question: How do you turn media attention into SALES?

Publicity is important in getting your name "out there," but you still have to create a relationship with a potential client. You need to give a reason for them to stay in touch.

To me, it’s a media waste if you don’t have a plan to turn those viewers into potential customers or clients.

Let's say you knock it out of the park on an interview. You looked great, you sounded great, and the response was phenomenal to your segment.

Your potential client goes to Google to learn more about you, finds your website, and then what? Remember, you likely won’t be able to talk about your specific business - you’ll likely be sharing your expertise - so you won’t be able to leave a phone number or an email. But, if you did a good job, then potential clients will want to know more, and so will turn to Google to get the information they need.

You'll want a way to stay in touch with that potential client. Collect an email address. Encourage them to call you. One of the easiest ways to stay in touch is through an email newsletter. You can offer that newspaper reader or TV viewer a guide with information they are interested in. In exchange, they give you an email address - and the permission to keep contacting them with your message.

For email collection, I use Aweber. People go to my website and sign up for my emailed blog posts and updates. You did just that when you signed up for this challenge. There are are plenty of others on the market. Whatever you decide to use, make that email sign-up a prominent part of your website. Give away information or a sample or something in exchange for that email address.

And then you can continue a relationship with a potential client.

In this way, you have turned the media attention into something much more valuable.

I know this can be overwhelming, and sometimes you need a helping hand.

That's why I have created a wonderful membership community at GetMediaSmart.com that will provide you with step-by-step trainings (more in-depth than what I was able to provide in emails and on this podcast), live calls, as well as a fantastic online forum so you can get support in your efforts to get the media attention for your business.

I would love it if you were a part of my membership community, where we are helping entrepreneurs get their message to the world. You can learn more about the Get Media Smart Membership community at cheryltanmedia.com/podcast.

What you will learn: How to follow up on your media pitch.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #13.

It’s down to the wire. You’re almost done. Day 13 of the 2-week Become a Media Magnet Challenge.

You can still join us by signing up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community to talk about your results.

Today, you will learn how to follow up after you have sent a news release or an email or made a phone call to a reporter, a producer, or an editor at a media outlet.

First, congratulations!

That is a rather large step. And it means you have done quite a bit of work so far.

Don't give up.

One of three things happens when that call or email is received.

*#1. It sparks interest RIGHT NOW, and you get a phone call or email in return, as in minutes later. That also means the reporter needs to set up an interview RIGHT AWAY.

*#2. It goes into a file, to be looked at later.

*#3. It gets deleted.

Unless you get a response right away, you have no idea where that idea falls in the grand scheme of things.

So, here's my suggestion: Wait two to three days, and follow up.

If you called, send an email. If you sent an email, then call.

There are a lot of theories floating around out there about the best way to follow up, but here’s the thing. We’re all people. If you have a worthy story - one that doesn’t try to sell a product or service outright, but has a newsworthy hook or a lesson attached to it - then it’s in the best interest of the reporter or producer to hear about it.

When you reach out, be succinct and let that reporter or producer know you wanted to make sure he/she received the information about your upcoming event or story idea.

And this is key. Ask the person on the other end of the line or in the body of the email, "Does this story interest you?" If you're on the phone, you will most likely get an honest response. At this point, you want a yes or a no.

A yes means you can follow up if they don't choose to do the story that day. If it's a no, you can start a conversation, ask that person what story would be of interest. It's all about relationships, as we have been discussing since the beginning of our two-week challenge.

Today's challenge is to take a look at any previous pitches you have made, any emails you have sent that received no response. Now is the time to revisit them and follow-up in the way I mentioned above. It's the only way to find out what kinds of stories these media outlets really want to tell.

Here’s what I find when I talk to clients. They don’t follow up. They simply don’t reach out again. I get it, you have no idea whether the news outlet wants to hear from you. You don’t want to be the pest. You don’t want to be blackballed.

What you will learn: How to put together the perfect press release.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #12.

You have made it to Day 12 of the 2-week Become a Media Magnet Challenge. What do you think of this challenge so far? You have come a long way. Today, we’re talking about putting together the perfect press release.

By the way, you can still join us by signing up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community to talk about your results.

Onto Challenge #12. Today, we are creating the perfect press release.

Let me say first, I am not a huge fan of press releases as a way to reach a reporter. It’s mostly because they are often mis-used. Too many people create a press release, mass send them to every single employee of a news station and wonder why they don’t get a return call. But I do believe it's important to go through the steps of crafting one when you have a story to pitch - simply because it helps you organize your information in a clear and concise way. And for big events, press releases can definitely work.

When putting together a press release, simplicity, brevity, and providing clear information are so very important. Just the other day, I was talking with an assignment editor at a TV station and he told me to repeat this many times to business owners.

A press release, also known as a news release or a media release is simply a document you send to news organizations--television stations, newspapers, radio stations, magazines--to let them know about a newsworthy event they can include in their broadcasts or publications.

First things first, think about your headline. You want something that will grab the attention of the person who is reading it. The person who receives the press releases is extremely busy, and has a long list of other press releases screaming for attention, so when you create your headline, think about what kind of event or update will make an impact on his or her audience. We talked about this specifically in Episode #3 of the Get Media Smart podcast. I talked about the things you need to think about in creating your story pitch. If hundreds of business owners are pulling together for a fundraiser for the homeless, for example, say so in the headline. No need to bury the lead.

The first paragraph is probably the most important paragraph, after the headline. It may be the only part that gets read. Your inclination may be to talk about your company right off the top. Save that for paragraph 3 or 4. Stick to the event details and why it’s important for the community in paragraph one.

And answer these questions, quickly, in that first paragraph.

Who (is putting the event together)?

What (is going on)?

When (is it taking place)?

Where (is it happening)?

Why (does it matter)?

​

The paragraphs that follow can include past results from your event or deta...

What you will learn: HARO is a free service that can connect you with journalists from around the country. Learn my tips for success with HARO.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #11.

It is Day 11 of the 2-week Become a Media Magnet Challenge. Thank you for taking part in this. Today’s challenge is something I have started to do every day for myself, and my clients. And it pays off.

By the way, you can still join us by signing up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community to talk about your results.

At this point in the challenge, if you have been following through with the lessons and homework, you are well on your way to success. Your name is searchable in Google, your business is, too (if not, go back and listen to Episode #1). You have created a social media posting plan (Episode #7) and a set time each week to create content (Episode #10). You have made some relationships with reporters in your town (Learn how to do that in Episode #6).

Now, you are going outside of your community to find reporters who might be interested in your story. These reporters can take your expertise to a national level.

Have you heard of HARO? It stands for Help a Reporter Out. Since Peter Shankman created this service in 2007, countless entrepreneurs and experts have been able to connect with journalists. Many times, these journalists work for national publications and media outlets. They also work for association journals, community publications and media outlets you wouldn’t think to pitch because you didn’t know they existed. And those readers could be perfect potential customers.

You can sign up for free daily emails from HARO. The reporters who submit their story ideas are on a deadline and they're looking for real people to talk with on a particular subject ranging from business to health to parenting.

The competition is pretty stiff, though, as HARO is well known in the business and marketing worlds. Many people feel like their pitches go into a wasteland.

But it doesn't have to be this way.

Here are my tips for success on HARO:

1) Sign up for the HARO list and check it first thing in the morning. These reporters are on a deadline and they needed to get the interview yesterday. Once they find an appropriate interviewee or story subject, they are likely not going to keep looking, at least not that day. So be prompt with your pitch. The other pitches, even if they are a good fit, are probably going to get ignored.

2) You have to fit the bill. You need to be an expert in the topic you are pitching. If you're a financial planner, you shouldn't weigh in on medical issues. But there are plenty of reporters looking for financial experts, so focus on the queries that suit your exact expertise. It's a good idea to have a description of your specialties in a Word document on your computer or in Evernote so you can c...

What you will learn: Consistency is key in creating content. In this episode, I'll talk about how to create consistent content that will make your brand stand out.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #10.

It is Day 10 of the 2-week Become a Media Magnet Challenge. How are you feeling about the challenge? Today, I feel, will be challenging, because it’s easy to say, very hard to carry out. We’re talking about consistency.

By the way, you can still join us by signing up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community to talk about your results.

Today's challenge, #10, is a big one. It's so important.

It is the importance of consistency.

It's so simple to understand, yet so hard to follow through.

Consistent content on your blogs, your social media channels, even your media mentions are critical to your success. You've heard of those "one-hit" wonders, musical artists who have one great song, and then they disappear.

That could easily happen for those who find success with a blog post that gets many shares, to a business that is able to get an interview for the 6 pm. news. If they don't continue to try to add value to their customers, if they aren’t consistency being seen in the media, people won't remember them.

It's the same thing with a paid ad for your business. One commercial won't typically do much for your bottom line. It's the consistency that makes big brands with big budgets so powerful.

Find a time every day to write or pick one week out of the month for your media outreach. Or decide to put together videos three times a week, once a week, monthly. Whatever you choose, put it in the calendar. But block off that time to create. You will be thankful you did this in the end.

I also wrote a blog post that gives you step by step instructions on how to create consistent content for your business. I’ll put the link to the article in the show notes for the episode, which you can get at cheryltanmedia.com/podcast.

What will you do today to create consistent content? That is your challenge for today.

This consistency - whether it's creating content, seeking out media relationships, or finding new customers - is critical for the success of your business. How do you create consistency in your company? Let's talk about it in the online community. Join "Get Media Smart” on Facebook.

You can find a link to the Facebook group, show notes, transcripts, and a link to the Become a Media Magnet challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast. What do you think of this show? Please leave me a review in iTunes and if it’s the right fit, I’d love it if you subscribed to the “Get Media Smart” podcast at the same time.

I thank you for choosing to spend some time with me. Tomorrow, we’re talking about one thing you can do every day to get your name in front of journalists around the w...

What you will learn: There are plenty of places where you can share your message. But there is one way to be certain your story is told the way you want it to be. Create your own.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #9.

It is Day 9 of the 2-week Become a Media Magnet Challenge. How is it going so far?

You can still join us by signing up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community to talk about your results.

If you have an independent streak, like I do, then you will love today's challenge. Challenge #9 is turns you into the media creator.

I don't especially like to depend on the media, entirely, for publicity. I like to create it myself.

And here's why I think you should do the same.

According to Dictionary.com, the definition of publicity is this:

extensive mention in the news media or by word of mouth or other means of communication.

If you start creating your own content, several things can happen. First, the media can find you. They're looking for stories to tell, remember? Second, the more content you create, the more confidence you will have. And who can't benefit from more confidence? Third, the media won't be the only people reading, watching or listening. You may attract more clients and customers, who will start talking about you.

Today, in Become a Media Magnet Challenge #9, you are focused on creating content: a weekly newsletter, a blog, a podcast, video tips.

What makes great content? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it?

Think about your audience, your customers. What kind of content would they enjoy? How can you position yourself as an expert in your field?

It is critical in your content you add massive value and share real information.

So, take a look at this list of content subject types you can put together that will highlight your expertise:

1) Articles/videos/podcasts related to the price of something. For example, How much house can I buy this year? or How much will a hybrid car cost in 2016?

2) Articles/videos/podcasts that focus on problems. For example, 3 reasons you won't be able to afford to buy a home this month and how you can turn that around.

3) Comparison-based articles/videos/podcasts. For example, Home buying versus renting. Which is better for you right now? or Hybrid or Humvee? How much will you pay in gas?

4) Review-based content. For example, A review of the best car dealers in Virginia Beach.

5) "Best of" content. For example, Which company makes the best hybrid car?

Use your expertise to a shine a light on these issues. Do so consistently and your readers (and potential customers) as well as the media may find you.

Are you creating content for your business? How is it working?

What you will learn: You are starting to get noticed by the media. You are beginning to look for bigger media opportunities. Help journalists out by creating a media tab so they can get a feel of what topics you share and where you have been featured before.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #8.

It is Day 8 of the Become a Media Magnet Challenge. How is it going so far? We are more than halfway through. Today we’re talking about the media tab on your website and why I think it can do work for you while you sleep in getting great public relations for your company.

You can still join us by signing up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community to talk about your results.

Challenge #8 takes a little bit of website know-how. We discussed in Episode #2 the importance of having a website tied to your name or your company name.

Here is just one example of why it’s so important.

A few years ago, I was hosting a start-up lifestyle television show and the producer and l were looking for experts to feature regularly on the program.

This was about 7 years ago, so much has changed since then. But so many things are the same.

We were looking for lifestyle experts who would come on the show every other week to talk about decorating and organizing. We knew it would be a great opportunity for someone. We needed an expert. We asked around the TV station. No one knew anyone who could help us.

So what did I do? I went to Google and typed in "Virginia Beach organizing expert."

There were a number of people's websites that came up. But only one had a video clip I could look at. Only one.

We loved her style, her delivery, everything. We invited that expert on the show. Ironically, I left the station last year, and she is STILL featured as an expert on that show.

The reason I share this with you is proof of performance is pretty important in the media. It is important if you're a journalist looking for featured experts. It's important if you are a journalist trying to see if a particular company or expert is the right fit for a story. The reporter needs to see what you offer.

Make it easy for them. If you get media mentions, put them in one place on your website. Journalists likely won’t look to hard for them, so put them all on a media tab, a press tab, a contact me page. Make it easy for them. It doesn’t matter what you call it, but make it clear that your past media mentions are right there.

Your assignment today is to create a "Media" tab on your website. If you don't have a website, I would put videos of yourself talking about your product or service on your Facebook business page. In this day and age, though, a website is pretty important for your business and your brand.

Fill that page with 1) Your contact information. 2) Your past media mentions,

What you will learn: Social media gets attention. In today's lesson, you'll learn how to use social media to get the traditional media to pay attention.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #7.

It is Day 7 of the Become a Media Magnet Challenge. And we’re talking about creating a consistent social media strategy - and how the effort can pay off in traditional media mentions.

You can still join us by signing up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community for more insight.

We really can't talk about achieving media mastery and becoming a media magnet without addressing social media.

I remember reporting the news BEFORE YouTube, Facebook, and Google. We never anticipated then the impact social media would have on our future newscast rundowns.

Turn on the nightly news now and it is quite possible you'll see a story that begins, "Watch this amazing video. It already has 3 million views on Youtube." Whether you agree with it or not, success on social media gets media attention, every single day. Media outlets share news of the day, of course, but there are sometimes segments focused solely on what people are talking about. And 3 million views is a metric they look at.

I will say not all journalists are thrilled that something that "goes viral" on social media has the power to be a part of the national nightly news, but it does happen. And it will continue to do so.

Your goal is likely *not* to be featured on the 6 p.m. news for a viral video, it's to be seen as an expert in your field. And you can definitely do that with social media.

When trying to grow an audience on a social media platform, consider this:

*#1 What is your message? We talked about this in Episode #3, but straight up selling to a reporter doesn't work. It doesn't work on social media, either. Adding value does. So if you can educate your fans and followers, they are more likely to turn to you for guidance. And don't forget. Reporters are ALWAYS on social media. They are looking for sources and interviews, too. Anytime you can show your expertise on social, do it.

*#2 Where is your audience? This is so important. If your audience is older, Google plus, LinkedIn or Facebook may work, or an email newsletter. Younger, try Instagram or Snapchat. Do you have beautiful pictures as part of your product or service? Pinterest and Instagram work well. Are you a writer? Twitter is a great tool. Show up where your audience does.

*#3 Is your product or service conducive to videos or a podcast? Many businesses have found success by sharing their expertise in video or audio. Visually-appealing content gets attention. Making that content on-demand or instantly accessible is valuable. Journalists watch and listen, too.

If you don't need sleep, you could focus on all of these platforms and get nowhere fast.

What you will learn: The past five challenges have been focused on gathering information and setting the stage for media attention. After today's episode, you will be ready to send your first media pitch.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #6.

It is Day 6 of the Become a Media Magnet Challenge.

You can still join us by signing up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community for more insight.

Yesterday, I told you about the importance of getting on social media and finding news influencers. And you’ve done it.

You've found new people to follow who live in your community--personalities in news and entertainment, newspaper writers, radio reporters, DJs. That was yesterday's homework assignment, to find and connect with on social media the anchors, reporters, or personalities in your area.

Now what?

Remember our goal? It’s to become a media magnet. The first step is to know who the players are. You’ve done that. Now it is important to know what topics they cover. If they anchor, do they also report on health stories or consumer issues? Is there a particular reporter who handles crime stories or military news? If that's your niche, know which reporter would be interested in your issue. Remember, going back to Challenge #3, which you can check out in Episode #3 of the Get Media Smart podcast, you want to make sure your story resonates with their audience.

Today's homework assignment is to find the specific reporters (newspaper, TV, radio, online) who would be interested in writing about your field, and then reach out to them. If you are an entrepreneur, the chances are very good you want to be very familiar with the consumer and business reporters in your area. You just want to know what they are looking for in terms of stories. And that means reading their stories, watching their reports and following them on social media. But it also means connecting with them personally.

Remember they are always looking for great story ideas. Interact with them about the stories they have written. Compliment them on something they have put together (be genuine about it), or ask questions for clarification. By doing this, you are creating the beginning of a relationship. You can do this on social media. You can do this via email.

I always appreciated getting emails from viewers. I always remembered the notes of appreciation for stories I had done. And I always responded when someone asked with genuine sincerity what kinds of stories I covered.

We talked about your crafting the story you will share in Episode #3, so take a listen to that for review, and reach out to a reporter to ask their thoughts on your story idea. They are always looking for great stories to tell.

By the way, there is a fine line between stalking and connecting, so let's be clear what this is, and what it is not.

What you will learn: Reporters are always looking for great stories to tell. Always. In today's episode, we talk about how to connect with news influencers on social media.

Transcript:

Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Never struggle to get attention again.

I’m your host, Cheryl Tan

Want to learn how to get noticed by the media?

What if the media came to you, and right behind them….clients and customers?

How do you leverage that publicity to grow your company?

This is the Get Media Smart podcast, where you will hear real-life stories of publicity gone right. You will learn actionable steps to get your name in front of the people who matter.

Hi, everyone! I’m Cheryl Tan. Welcome to the Get Media Smart podcast. Episode #5.

We are on Day 5 of the Become a Media Magnet Challenge.

It’s not too late to join us. You can sign up for this free email challenge at CherylTanMedia.com/podcast and for two full weeks, you will get action items straight to your inbox - action items that will help you attract attention for you and your business.

I will outline the challenges in the first 14 episodes of this podcast. They are short, to the point, and you can always join us in our Facebook community for more insight. I would love it if you subscribed to the “Get Media Smart” podcast, where I will take you through the entire two-week challenge verbally.

Onto today. The last four challenges have had you gathering intel - seeing how you show up in Google, determining the story you’ll pitch, finding out which local news outlets are available in your area.

You've been digging deep, you've been pooling together information. You have been setting the stage.

In today's Challenge (Challenge #5), I want you to take some action.

Remember the local media outlets you wrote down in yesterday’s challenge? Go one step further and consider the actual people who work there. Who is the morning reporter at your favorite news station? How about the reporter who covers politics? Or who is the afternoon drive time DJ you love to listen to? How about the meteorologist who gets you through the bad storms?

You tune in to the shows to get information, but you may watch because of the news personalities themselves.

I guarantee each and every one of those personalities has either a Facebook page or a Twitter feed, likely both. LinkedIn is a good option as well. On LinkedIn, you can type in the media outlet’s name and search and see who works there.

Follow them through the social media site you use the most. That's all you need to do right now.

Follow and read what they post. If you want to respond to any questions they ask, that's great. But, right now, you're simply following, friending, adding.

And you are reading, too.

You'll notice some of them come right out and ask for story ideas. I host a business TV show near where I live in Virginia Beach. It’s called Hampton Roads Business Weekly. On social media, I am always talking about the businesses we have featured and also asking for recommendations to highlight for future episodes.

Other reporters and anchors will do the same thing. They’ll put out a call for specific information. If the topic applies to you, respond. They're asking for a reason.

You can't respond if you don't realize they're asking for information. And you won't know about those calls to action unless you are right there with them. So for now, be in the know by following them. And while you're at it, follow the news organizations as well.

Your homework for today is go GET ON SOCIAL MEDIA and notice the news people around you.

Tomorrow,