1. Research your competition – find a unique quality or service that sets you apart and use it!

2. Form your own advisory group –to provide guidance and help you build your business.

3. Form a focus group (family and friends) – to provide ideas and insight about your best qualities and uniqueness of your product/service.

4. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK – Constantly! It’s part of doing business. Also attend business groups outside your normal channels to meet new people, learn about new markets.

 5. Attend special events – meet new people and reporters covering events

6. Offer your expertise to reporters, radio and TV hosts

7. Carry your business cards and materials everywhere you go

8. Ask for business cards and FOLLOW-UP immediately

9. Revise and renew your promotional materials continually

10. Watch TV interviews to pick up pointers from those being interviewed

11. Prepare your own Q & A about your company -- be prepared if you secure an interview.

12. Hold a special event every year -- thank clients and friends who have referred business to you and invite friendly reporters/editors and potential clients.

13. Press Conferences -- hold one ONLY if you have VERY important news, i.e. launch of a new company, unveiling a survey or product. (Hold them early in the week in the morning.)

14. READ everything about your type of business product or service – Stay up with new trends, add-on services, etc.

15. Write letters to the editor – get your name in print by offering insight into an issue, it builds name recognition and credibility.

16. Research your trade publications and online sites – find out if they accept outside articles and topics of interest to readers, their deadlines, etc.

17. Offer pre-written “tips” to reporters who cover your type of business.

18. Do a survey about trends in your business -- offer results to reporters covering your type of industry.

19. Compile good press lists – find best contacts in print, broadcast and online. Keep your list current and always make updates before you send out a press release or media advisory.

20. FOLLOW-UP, FOLLOW-UP, FOLLOW-UP -- re-contact reporters you’ve just sent materials, email or call new business contacts ASAP, stay in touch regularly with clients.

** The more they hear from you the more likely they will be to do business with you!

21. UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE – every month! Add new information, news items, tweak your writing style, add new pictures, etc.