Dear Margot:
What an exciting endeavor you're contemplating. Here are some thoughts my
business partner and I had. This community newspaper of the woman you're doing
the public access channel for: is it free? subscription? Who advertises in it?
Can these advertisers be extended to radio/TV?
In going back to your home town: Are there long-time stores or businesses
you've frequented you can tap for sponsorship? Look at significant employers
in the area, discount stores, service-based industries who might want to
sponsor your program. Get a commitment you can take to the station manager
(e.g., three months of advertising ...). Within your community, check out the
local census. What are the demographics of your area? Try to find local issues
to appeal to. Find out what the current radio/TV habits are of your potential
audience. Be able to tell the station manager "what's broken" and
how your show can fix it.
Here are a few public relations angles to address to drum up support for
your show: local prodigal returns; old school connections (alum makes good),
guests you can bring in, near and far away, what need you'll be fulfilling
(whether recognized or not), how the town has changed over the years, and
where it will be X # years from now. Volunteer to be interviewed on media
desired (radio or TV).
Try to break the mold, do something different.
Best of luck, Margot. Let us know how it goes!
About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide:
Yvonne
Buchanan is a 20-year veteran of public relations, marketing and advertising.
She teaches public relations courses online for career changers, freelancers
and students through The PR Academy www.learnpr.com
and is co-founder of Real-World PR www.realworldpr.com
, a public relations information provider for small businesses. Real-World PR
offers public relations toolkits (manual/CD combinations) that allow small
business owners to create and maintain their own public relations programs.
