Getting your own column in your local newspaper might not be as hard as you think!
Here’s how one real estate expert got his own column in the largest newspaper in his state. He told me this story when I was a guest on Doug Huggins’ teleseminar yesterday.
Harold is a former economics professor. He simply contacted his local newspaper editor and told the editor why he (Harold) was better qualified to write about real estate and economics than the staff reporter, and how he (Harold) could offer a different perspective than the reporter.
The editor agreed and gave Harold his own column, and his own blog on the newspaper’s web site! Each column has Harold’s phone number and email address so prospects can contact him!
Way to go Harold! You are an inspiration to us all!
My advice: Be like Harold. Get off your butt, pick up the phone and pitch your local business, lifestyle or education editor!
Save time
I got my first “Media-Savvy-to-Go” newspaper column with the Snohomish County Business Journal by simply asking for it. While chatting with Assistant Editor Kimberly Hilden, she mentioned that members of the local chamber were very hungry to learn from her how to get their stories told in her local business journal. She said the audience had dozens of questions. This was an itch that needed to be scratched.
Right then and there, I said I would be happy to serve as a contributing columnist to empower readers with that kind of information. The upside would be the potential of making her task of sifting through story pitches easier, while serving the readers’ at the same time. She spoke to the publisher, and within days, she said, “Yes.”
I wrote that column for a full year before being invited to write a similar column for the Puget Sound Business Journal.
The first 12 columns I wrote for the Snohomish County Business Journal are now offered an an immediate download to those who opt-in to receive my Media-Savvy-to-Go Ezine.
Today, I get invited to speak to professional groups often to share media savvy tips, tools,and resources as a result of the wide reach of the columns. That leads to new engagements, new orders for information products, and other ways to be of service.
One good thing does lead to another, and it’s a beautiful thing.
My advice is to ask for a column in the local business journal or community paper that serves the people where you live and work with tips, resources, and perspectives that serve the readers’ needs and highlight your expertise.
Great rewards are waiting for all when the answer is “yes.”