Establish Yourself as a Source

Add comment July 18th, 2008

An easily overlooked way of getting your company’s name in the media is to act as a source. Reporters are always looking for an expert to interview for their stories, and you could be that person. Check media that relate to your business religiously to see what their reporters are writing about. If you’re in the printing business and you saw an article run on the rising cost of ink, you can contact that writer and let him or her know that your company could quote on how the rising cost of ink will affect the printing industry. And once you’ve built a relationship with that reporter, he or she may return again to do another story.

Establishing yourself as a source also confirms you as an expert. If the media asks you to quote on an issue that affects your industry, you can be looked at as the go-to person within your group of peers. This could lead to speaking engagements at industry conferences and additional opportunities.

Allow your company to lead the competition by establishing yourself as the expert, and the respect and opportunities will follow.