BBF091: How To Get More Media Coverage Using LinkedIn With Alex Pirouz

It’s always great to get one of our previous guests back on the show to give us a chance to get into even more detail. Alex Pirouz is something of a Linkedin legend, so in this episode we’ve asked him for his advice on how to use Linkedin to court the media.

Alex did his own survey and found out that 94.5% of journalists in the publications he analysed were on Linkedin, so if you want a tool to connect you to the media, look no further. Below are some of Alex’s top tips for using Linkedin to connect with the media:

** You are who google says you are, and a Linkedin profile is a fundamental part of that.

** In your Linkedin profile, think about the possible objections that a potential collaborator may have, and try and answer those.

** Don’t automatically accept every bit of coverage that is offered to you – make sure it is relevant to whatever brand image you want to project.

** When trying to connect with someone on Linkedin, always make the effort to write a customized message.

** Don’t just connect with anyone – it’s always worth checking just how active somebody is, for example.

** At the beginning of your media strategy, create a top 3 publications hit list, and then do a Linkedin search for each relevant reporter.

  Never forget the concept of “adding value” when doing any of the above. It’s an obvious statement, but it’s true. Just like out in the real world, you’re more likely to get something out of people on Linkedin if you build a rapport with them and make it look like you can bring something to their table, so don’t just go steaming in with a pitch asking for coverage. In this episode of Business Brain Food you will learn:

** The credibility of association

** The kind of challenges that journalists face, and how you could solve them

** “The moment of truth”

** How to weed out dodgy Linkedin profiles

** Which journalists will be the most effective for you

  Resources mentioned in this episode:

** My Podcast Review (http://www.mypodcastreview.com)

** Alex’s site (http://www.linkfluencer.com)

** Help A Reporter (http://www.helpareporter.com)

** Source Bottle (http://www.sourcebottle.com.au)

** Free, no-obligation business coaching chat with a member of Ben’s team: (http://actioncoachanz.com/free-business-coaching-session)

** Ben’s Daily Business Tips podcast (http://www.dbtpodcast.com)

** Facebook (facebook.com/businessbrainfood)

** Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessbrainfood)

** Twitter (https://twitter.com/bfewtrell)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/itunes)

** ActionCOACH (http://actioncoachanz.com/stitcher)

  Linkedin can often be more effective and significantly less expensive than hiring a PR firm to court the media on your behalf. Alex’s simple advice will tell you all you need to know to get started. Also, if you are enjoying these Business Brain Food podcasts, then make sure to share them via social media sites or email the links to family and friends. A lot of time and effort goes into producing each of these podcasts with the goal in mind of the more people we can inspire about business the better. You can help us do just that! Until next time, have a profitable day. Cheers, Ben Fewtrell [phone]