Ms. Media’s audience is insatiable. 🤷♀️
That means she is constantly hunting and scrambling for fresh, interesting stories and ideas to (c’mon now, say this with me) entertain, enlighten, and educate. As her new best friend, you could literally save her career if you can come up with fascinating stories and topics she can use—for which she will be very grateful.
And here’s the key: You may not be a professional journalist or editor with an eye for great news. But you have expertise and perspective that are totally unique. You know things Ms. Media doesn’t know. You’ve got dynamite solutions to issues and problems her audience face.
You just have to follow these guidelines and you will be media gold:
1.
Keep It Brief ✍️
This is a story idea, not the full story. Write a brief paragraph that piques her curiosity with enough meat so she knows you can deliver. It should be 70 words or less, 2 or 3 sentences.
2.
Focus on the Big Six: Health, Wealth, Career, Sex, Relationships, Personal Growth 🤩
Why? Because this is what we all really care about. We want to make our lives better. Sure, we’d love to eradicate world hunger, too. But on a daily basis, we’re more concerned about making more money or improving our sex lives. Not all of your story ideas need to fall into these categories—but make sure some of them do.
3.
Their Problems, Your Solutions 🤝
People are interested in solving their problems. And if you’ve got good solutions to those problems, they’ll be interested in you. Focus on the aggravating, sleep-robbing problems you know people have. Make them specific (i.e. “How to Fit in that Bikini by Next Month” is much better than “How to Lose Weight”). Make sure your solution sounds unique.
4.
Hot Topics and Trends 👀
What’s in the news lately? Gun control? Celebrity break-ups? The latest political scandal or Wall Street scam? Tackle topics everyone is talking about with a fresh perspective and unique insights.
5.
Seize the Seasons ☀️
Every season has a bundle of tried and true topics to tap. Autumn? Back to school, Halloween costumes, political elections. Winter? Holiday gift giving, family gatherings, winter blues. Find a few seasonal ideas—and keep in mind, Ms. Media has to keep way ahead of the game (i.e. she begins to focus on summer vacation stories in January).
6.
Juice It Up 😜
Dispute the common wisdom. Be a little controversial or sassy. Throw down a challenge. Your story idea can’t be the same old, same old ho-hum. It needs to shake her up or wake her up.
7.
Grab Her Attention 🎥
Begin with a snappy headline that she can’t resist. Rather than “Is the Market Improving?” try something like, “Bull Market or Just Bull?” Rather than “Is Our Educational System Failing?” how about leading with, “Are We Raising a Generation of Idiots?”
8.
Give Her Variety 🌈
Come up with story ideas that range over all kinds of topics for all kinds of audiences. Ms. Media may need an idea for parents or an idea for retirees. She may need something about finding your bliss or saving up to buy your first home. You can’t cover every audience and every topic but give her as much variety as you can.
9.
Easy Peasy Structure 📄
Give her an easy structure:
First: Snappy headline (i.e. “Risky is the New Safe” or “Tell Your Therapist to Take a Hike”)
Second: One sentence of the problem (“If we’re doing all the right things, how come we’re so broke?” or “Is there a way to scratch the 7-year itch without destroying your marriage?”)
Third: One sentence of your unique solution (“Dr. Lyons explains why lowering cholesterol is not the key to heart health—and reveals what is.” Or “Jane Marks offers 6 tips to keep your daughter safe from sexual predators in college.”)
In case you need some help with your PR/Marketing journey, feel free to reach out. I’m here to help. 🤝
