3 Steps for Entrepreneurs to get publicity through social media

Many potential clients we speak with are entrepreneurs or authors who want to be proactive in gaining publicity and getting quoted in the press. It can be tempting to try and reach out to as many journalists as possible. But if you approach publicity in a more targeted way, you’ll get more meaningful results. 

Here are three ways entrepreneurs can use social media to get interviews with journalists:

1. Use Twitter

As a former journalist I can tell you many in the profession live on Twitter. Journalists use Twitter not just to share their latest articles, but to connect with sources and find story ideas. So set up a professional Twitter handle with a photo and a brief bio describing you and your expertise, start following journalists who cover your industry. Then, set an alert for when they tweet something new. 

2. Reach out when it’s relevant

Sometimes when journalists are on a tight deadline and need a source, they’ll tweet out who they’re hoping to speak with. If that person is you, reply to them by whatever method they specify (usually a DM or an email). Offer them your name, phone number, email address and a 1-2 sentence description of why you’re the person best suited to offer your expertise on the topic they’re looking for. If and when you do connect, continue to keep brevity in mind. If a journalist is reaching out for sources on Twitter, it’s most likely because they don’t have a lot of time. If you do them a favor and keep things short, there’s a better chance they will remember you as a solid source. Don’t want to sit around and wait for a journalist to put a call out on Twitter for sources? Go to step 3. 

3. Introduce yourself

If you’ve found a journalist on Twitter tweeting about and/or covering your industry, there is a right way to introduce yourself. If they’ve made their email public in their bio (or it’s easy to find online), send them an email. If not, you can instead send them a direct message on Twitter. The key is to keep your message brief. Include 1-3 sentences about who you are and why you’re an expert in their corner of coverage. Offer yourself as a source for their next article on your topic of interest. Let them know they are free to reach out the next time they need a source on the topic you’d like to talk about, and provide the easiest way for them to get in touch with you. We use this method with clients with great success. 

Other social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram might seem more popular right now, but journalists love Twitter, and they won’t be leaving the platform anytime soon. It’s a great way to connect with writers, producers, etc. 

If you want more ideas on how to connect directly with journalists, or you’re curious about launching a publicity campaign with us, click here to schedule a free discovery call with the Guide My Brand team.