How to Prepare For Your Next Media and Press Opportunities

Many Startup Princesses are thinking about how to how to get more media and press opportunities to increase business opportunities, sales, and expand their reach. If this is you,  I hope you’ll love this post and treasure the gems I share- there are lots of little tips and tricks that I’ve learned over the past year from top media experts and from participating in several media gigs for print and TV, including 3 cover stories, most recently on the Cover of Wasatch Woman September/October Issue 2009 and competing for Mrs. Utah in 2008. If after reading this post you’re ready for MORE media training I want to invite you to participate in The Startup Princess Image & Media Academy November 13-14, we have a few spots left and I’m positive you’ll learn a great deal as well as enjoy getting your headshots taken by a celebrity photographer and pitching to media experts.

Before You Seek Media Opportunities:

Personal preparedness: Are you mentally, emotionally, and physically ready for media? Take inventory about what you need to do personally to be ready and put your best face forward. Consider any mentors or trainers that you may wish to consult with before you move forward. Adopt my mantra “Ready for media at any moment” and then walk the talk…BE that kind of person who the media will be attracted to interview and feature. I love Wayne Dyer’s Power of Intention and Heather Madder’s audio CD’s for connecting to Spirit and Divine Purpose, www.HeatherMadder.com

Business: Now take inventory on what your business needs to do to be ready for media for example, is your website updated? Do you have product in stock? Is your location ready for a photo shoot or video crew? Do you have a media kit? Product samples? Can you afford to send product (when requested) to press? Have you identified why you want press and what you’ll do once you get it? Create a press page now with any press you’ve had in the past on your website.

Time: Preparing for and doing press can take a lot of time and while worthwhile, your business needs to be able to function while you’re away doing PR so you may want to consider now if you haven’t already how your business can be run by an assistant or someone else when you represent your company elsewhere. (Reference for creating business systems: Emyth Revisited)

How to Get Your Own Press: There are many resources, blogs and books available for how to get your own press. Here’s one of my favorites for mom entrepreneurs: www.PRinYourPajamas.com. Check out her ebooks and media list: http://www.prinyourpajamas.com/mom-media-list/

Great Free PR Tips: http://zfpr.com and http://www.publicityhound.com/

To be considered as an expert by press: http://www.helpareporter.com/

Pre-Media Checklist 4 Weeks Out (or as soon as you know) Once you find out that a media opportunity is in the works, celebrate but don’t announce it on your blog or publicize it until you have approval from the producers or editor because they might change their mind about including you or your company.

Find out the details of the media opportunity. Who is interviewing you? Who is the audience? Is it live or pre-recorded? How long will you be interviewed? Can you get a copy of the questions beforehand? Will hair, make up, and wardrobe be provided? Is it possible to do a promotion during the interview? Write down anticipated questions and answers in short sound bites so you can be natural and conversational.

Media Training: Notice your comfort level in front of a camera, if it makes you nervous then you might want to have different friends take your photo or film you. Practice interview questions on camera and notice your head movement, smile, etc. Do you seem relaxed or stressed? How do you sound? Confident? Keep repeating the mantra, “Ready for media at any moment”. Consult a mentor or coach if you wish to become comfortable, professional, or more articulate.

Get ready to SHINE!! Image Consultant, Cherie Burton taught me that it’s not what you’re wearing that they’ll notice first, it’s the sparkle in your eye, it’s your Spirit that makes the first impression. I highly recommend her “Permission to Shine” CD available at www.bluerosecommunications.com

Love the Glamour. Catch up on the current style trends and fashion of the season (and next); take a look at Eliza Magazine (a new magazine for modest high fashion and trends), Lucky, and In Style. Look at professional hip brands Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, Chico’s, Talbot’s, and more to get ideas for color trends, textures, accessories, and more. Tip from Starley Murray, Celebrity Image Consultant: Look closely at the clothing on the models in the photos and in the store mannequins, professional stylists were paid to design those outfits and combinations, they are usually the best pieces in the store.

Read Style Statement by Danielle LaPorte and Carrie McCarthy to learn about your authentic style personality and enjoy a beautiful self-discovery. Danielle writes at www.whitehottruth.com.

Check out Cardigan Empire blog by Reachel Bagley www.cardiganempire.com She has wonderful style guides for every body type.

Make a hair and color (if needed) appointment for 1-2 weeks before the media opportunity and another one if you want the stylist to do your hair the day of the event.

You also might want to have your make up professionally done to practice prior to the event. There is a different of make up for camera verses everyday make up, I like MAC for camera.

Consider if you need a facial to oxygenate the skin or cleanse of impurities. You may wish to start using a celebrity beauty treatment of plain (full fat) natural yogurt mask for 5 minutes before you shower to restore the pH balance. I’ve done these masks for 18 yrs! As far as skincare brands go, there’s so many good ones. I personally I love M2, Sothys and Dr. Irena Eris skincare.

If you’re concerned about any fine lines you might like to try “Frownies”, a product (adhesive paper stickers that help retrain face muscles) I found over a year ago recommended by Oprah. I have seen great results with it and love the price too.

You may want to have your teeth professionally whitened or use teeth whitening strips

Increase water intake (up to 1 Gallon!)

Up your servings of fruit/vegetables especially berries and tomatoes and eat all the fish you can, especially salmon. Resource: The Wrinkle Cure

Consider your exercise level; sleep schedule, and supplements (recommend flaxseed and fish oil)

Assess wardrobe, consider asking sponsors for jewelry or clothing for you to use in the press opportunity.

Get properly fitted for a new bra that has full support if it’s been awhile (you will feel so beautiful and feminine!) Don’t forget to check out hosiery, spanx (if you want to flatten your tummy) shoes, and jewelry!

This is also the time to consider any special changes to your website so that when the media hits you’ll be ready for not only the surge in traffic but also a way to leverage the opportunity with a special incentive for customers.

One Week Before Confirm all details with the media. Make sure your business promotion is ready to go, site is current, etc. Get a massage. Get some rest.

Try on all of your clothes and accessories and film yourself in the outfit sitting down (if it’s for TV) and see what you think, ask your friends. If it’s for print, take photos and do the same.

Purchase anything you need to be prepared. Have your eyebrows professionally done. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Eat lots of salmon, berries, and tomatoes… take your Omega3′s

Day Before I like to get my hair done the day before a media event if it’s early in the morning because then I’m not trying to schedule too much on the day of the press and my hair can hold really well overnight, you might try that idea.

Paint your fingernails and toenails a neutral color (you might not think anyone will notice your toes but I was asked to be barefoot in a formal outfit and run in a water fountain recently for a magazine, so you never know!)

Make sure everything you’re wearing is in good form, ironed, etc. Make sure everything fits properly. You might consider a back up shirt or outfit to bring with you in case you’re wearing the same color as the hostess (this happened to me also!)

Put together a media bag with your make up, hairspray, hair shine spray, safety pins, fashion tape, tweezers, razor, visine, static spray, scissors, extra nylons, mints, water bottle, toothbrush, a button down shirt (to wear there and not mess up your hair), and anything else you might need or want with you.

Go over any speaking points or “sound bytes” that you might want to include, but don’t be afraid to be candid and natural, the real you will shine best without a script when you’re prepared and know your business inside and out (which you do!)

Get to bed early!

I love Celebrity Make up Artist Starley Murray’s tip to lightly brush your lips with your toothbrush to exfoliate them and then wear lip balm to bed.

Go over an uplifting thought before bed and connect to your Spirit. Recently when I was being photographed for a magazine cover my dear friend Quinn Curtis, Founder of Created by Mom brought me the beautiful Marianne Williamson quote handwritten and it was just the perfect thing to inspire me and remind me of who I am and connect me to my life purpose. Here is part of the quote:

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.

Day of Event -Take a Deep Breath! Enjoy the excitement, but try to relax. You might want to do stretching or yoga if you’re nervous. Say a prayer, mediate, do what you need to do to feel peaceful and ready.

Use a GPS or Mapquest to find the Location so you arrive early 15 minutes.

Bring your clothes with you to the studio or location; do not wear it there. Bring everything in a hang up bag and bring a small mirror with you in case there is no mirror (I’ve had to change in a utility closet recently).

Check in with the person who invited you (producer, assistant, etc.)… be friendly, consider bringing a little gift, and overall- enjoy yourself!

SHINE> Share your passion and your story with enthusiasm and confidence, when you’re planned and prepared you have nothing to fear.

It is always your responsibility to get a copy of the press or clip, do not ask the producer or editor for copies unless they volunteer to assist you with this. If you would like to get extra copies for press purposes ask if you can purchase some directly or at a discounted rate, often they will provide a few copies, but is not to be expected.

—

Kelly King Anderson, Founder of Startup Princess is available for private coaching in Image and Media. To contact her please call 801-856-4765 or email her

Make a Wish, Make it Happen!