How to Grow Your Business With a Media List

By Crystal | Published February 22, 2010

How would you like to get more exposure for your business in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and even websites that reach your target market?

You can achieve this by finding key journalists who are interested in your business. One of your most important tools for engaging with them is a media list.

What is a media list?

A media list is simply a database of journalists and their contact information. More detailed media lists also include details, such as the journalists’ birthdays, communication preferences, and previously published work.

Your media list should consist of journalists who have shown interest in your business, industry or product, based on their previous reports.

They should also include journalists who are assigned to specific “beats” or topics related to your business.

Why do you need a media list?

A media list makes your PR work easier and more effective. For one thing, you’ll know whom to approach when you have a press release or media pitch.

Moreover, by having a well-targeted media list, you won’t  waste time and energy because you’ll only be contacting media who are interested in your story to begin with. Imagine the wasted effort when you try to reach everybody, but most of them trash your press releases because they’re just not relevant.

A media list also helps you build relationships with media professionals. After you’ve been using your media list for a while, you’ll find yourself talking to the same set of people. You’ll become familiar with each other and find yourself in a mutually beneficial relationship: journalists need stories, and you need exposure.

Soon you’ll be on their list of people to call when they need information or story leads in your expertise/industry.

Where do you get a media list?

There are two ways to get a media list:

You can buy one for hundreds of dollars. As you can imagine, it takes hours to compile a list of journalists from different media channels, which now even includes the Internet. Media lists also need constant updating, which adds to the cost.

The other alternative is to compile a media list yourself. You or your virtual assistant can set aside a few minutes each week to build up your own targeted database of journalists.

It may take some time, but it’s not that hard. Start with the newspapers, magazines, radio stations, and websites you already consume. Then move on to the media your target market consumes.

However, if you’re in the Mommy-related market, you won’t have to spend hundreds of dollars or take weeks and weeks to get your customized media list. Until February 28th, my Mom’s Media Lists are on sale at 50% off. I’m having this special sale because I will be retiring these lists next month.

So if you have a Mom-related business, product or expertise, go here now to grab a Mom’s Media List while you still can:

http://www.prinyourpajamas.com/mom-media-list

Buy or build your media list starting today and — most importantly — use it! If you’re consistent, even small efforts in engaging the media will pay off in promoting your business.

Elena Verlee is the creator of PRinYourPajamas.com where she shares tips for entrepreneurs and small businesses who want to do their own PR.

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One Response to “How to Grow Your Business With a Media List”

  1. Cheryl Pope on March 1st, 2010 9:15 am

    I love PR in Your Pajamas. Elena gives the best advice for low-cost or no cost marketing.

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