The Truth about Publicity: What’s Fake and What’s Real?

There is a lot of talk these days about publicity. What is real and what is fake? How can you tell the difference? And most importantly, how can you make sure that your business gets the publicity it deserves?

In this blog post, we will explore the differences between real and fake publicity, and discuss best publicity practices for increased brand awareness, more customers, and higher sales.

When it comes to promoting your business, there are a lot of options available. You can buy ads, sponsor events, or even hire a public relations firm to help you get the word out. But how do you know which option is right for you?

The answer depends on your goals. If you’re simply looking to increase brand awareness or generate more leads, then buying ads or sponsoring events may be a good option.

However, if your goal is to build long-term relationships with reporters and other influencers, then hiring a publicist or public relations firm is probably a better choice.

No matter what route you decide to take, always make sure that you’re being honest and transparent in your communications. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to publicity, and it’s also the best way to build trust with your audience.

Real Publicity vs Fake Publicity

Publicity can be a great way to promote your business, but it’s important to understand the difference between real and fake publicity. Real publicity comes from honest and transparent communications, while fake publicity often uses deception to gain attention.

Six Publicity Practices to Position Yourself as a Subject Matter Expert

1. Be a source for reporters: Reporters are always looking for experts to quote in their stories. If you can position yourself as an expert in your industry, you’ll be more likely to get coverage.
2. Build relationships with reporters: take the time to get to know the reporters who cover your industry. When they have a story that’s relevant to your business, they’re more likely to reach out.
3. Be proactive: don’t wait for reporters to come to you. If you have something newsworthy to share, reach out and pitch them your story idea.
4. Write thought-leading articles: if you want to be seen as an expert, you need to show that you know what you’re talking about. Writing articles is a great way to do this. By positioning yourself as a subject matter expert, you can earn the trust of your audience and build long-term relationships with reporters and other influencers.
5. Speak at industry events: getting up on stage and speaking in front of an audience is a great way to show that you’re an expert in your field.
6. Engage in social media conversations: Did you know that a lot of media folk hang out on Twitter? It’s a great way to build relationships with reporters and other influencers.

Four Way to Get Media Attention

Now that you understand the difference between real and fake publicity, and how to position yourself as a subject matter expert, let’s take a look at four different types of media approaches.

1. News releases are one of the most common types of media used by businesses. They are typically used to announce new products, services, or company milestones.
2. A press kit is a collection of materials that reporters can use when writing stories about your business. It usually includes a news release, fact sheet, biographies, and photos.
3. Media alerts are similar to press kits, but they are specifically designed to generate media coverage for events or breaking news stories.
4. Pitch letters/emails are sent to reporters with the hope of getting them to write a story about your business. They should be concise and well-written, and they should always include a hook that will make the reporter want to learn more.

As you can see, there are a variety of different ways to generate publicity for your business. The best way to determine which option is right for you is to understand your goals and objectives.

Once you know what you’re trying to achieve, you can develop a publicity strategy that will help you reach your target audience.  We’re here to help. Apply to be part of the the next cohort of the Branding Accelerator.