Make Yourself a Media Resource Through Tip Sheets

How do you go about getting the media to know you’re an expert in your industry or profession? One effective tactic is to write tip sheets and send them out to various media outlets on a regular basis. A tip sheet is a straightforward, “how to” list that provides information in your area of expertise.

Here is a short example of a tip sheet the owner of a remodeling and construction business could send out:

"The Top 4 Things to Do After a House Fire"

In the aftermath of a house fire, most homeowners are too distraught to think clearly about what to do next. These are the most important steps that homeowners need to take care of immediately after a house fire:

1. Secure the residence by boarding up windows, doors and holes in the roof. If someone should go into the home and get injured, the homeowner would be held responsible and could be sued. It is also crucial to protect the home from being robbed.
2. Remove any important personal documents such as bank statements, mortgage records, birth certificates and medications. Next in importance would be any personal items you can salvage. The faster you get an item out, the better chance you have of repairing and salvaging it. Even though the fire is out, water and smoke will continue to damage items left inside the home.
3. Notify not just the insurance company but also your mortgage company of the loss--remember they essentially co-own the house with you. Since it is their property too, they need to know about the damage.
4. Make sure all the water is dried up, so it does not produce mold and further damage the home. Also, remove food from the fridge so it does not spoil.

Editors, journalists and media people appreciate tip sheets because they are ready for publication and can be printed verbatim, with no extra effort on their part. Are you an accountant? Send out a tip sheet called, “5 Money-Saving Tax Tips.” Are you a real estate agent? Send out a tip sheet called, “6 Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home.” Are you an insurance agent? Write a tip sheet on “4 Ways to Save on Health Insurance.”

Use a numeral in your headline that names the number of tips--for some curious psychological reason, people are very drawn to reading numbered lists. Begin each of your tips with an action verb. Avoid promoting yourself or your business in any way--let the blurb at the end of the tip sheet do that for you. The blurb should give your name, your title, the name of your company and contact information such as a Web address or phone number.

Tip sheets make great handouts at trade shows or at your place of business. Include them in your media kit and direct mail campaigns. People will save the tip sheet even when they may throw the rest of your direct mail piece away--as long as the information you’ve provided is current and valuable to them in some way.

Do you have some great tip sheets you’ve written and wish to share? Post them in our comments section.