How to get your name in the media…

We are all trying to market our businesses, while struggling to do so within budget limits. I mean, let's face it, it takes a lot of money to get your name out there, unless you want to do all the ground work yourself.  

Hope this gives you and idea on how to get your name in the media...

Media advertising should never be underrated; if you play your cards right it does all the work for you. The key to advertising in the media is making your business or company newsworthy.  Firstly, it's not the quality or importance of your idea-pitch—it's all about timing and relevance. Once you can see your business from an outside perspective, you can better gauge marketing strategies and forums.

In order to use the media as your marketing medium, you have to stay current with the news and happenings. This means reading the newspaper from start to finish, even just the headlines.  The fact is, you never know how your niche business product or skill will relate to the various goings-on in the community beyond business and sales.  

Then, after you've taken it all in, think back to what you've read and try to formulate ways your business relates or could relate.  This doesn't meant forcing your product or service into an inappropriate area just because it was in the news.  This is not an arbitrary process; you'll need critical thinking and a direct, reasonable correlation between news and your company.  

Once you've found a solid potential, jump on it!  As previously mentioned, timing is a huge part of successfully marketing with the media.  Letting time lapse between your ad and the article or news piece of interest will defeat the purpose of advertising since relevance has a short shelf life.  

Perhaps the most important overall piece of advice is to think outside the box.  Finding creative ways to market your business will give you the edge or angle you need to separate yourself from competitors and will create the strongest association of your product or service and whatever news interest you've matched up with.