4 Effective tips On landing a PR booking through Instagram!
Based on The End In Mind’s recent podcast, “PR Bookings on Instagram.” Listen here.
Before we get started, I want to personally tell you that PR events play such a huge role in your growth and credibility as an entrepreneur. In fact, every time I go to speak at a virtual event or do a guesting on a podcast— I always see a jump in my following. For someone who just started a business from scratch, this can be a really exciting moment!
In my recent podcast episode for The End In Mind, I talked about the importance of warming and landing these PR events, and why you should always be talking about the free value your Instagram page has to offer. So, ready? All right, let’s dive into the four tangible steps you can follow to increase your PR exposure— all through the magic of your Instagram page.
#1. Know Your Ideal Client
Getting clear on your ideal clients is the number one key to this whole thing. It’s really important for you to understand who your ideal client is because you're going to have to go to these potential podcasts, TV producers, magazine editors, and do a PR outreach (more on this in a bit). You may try to create different client avatars to make sure you're comfortable and confident with how you market your brand to them.
#2. Research Your Niche
Do research on your niche— what do I mean by this?
I want you to start looking at hashtags. As an example, if you’re a mompreneur looking to guest on a podcast show, you could start very broad with women podcasts. A little while after, you would want to get a bit more in-depth. Maybe you're specifically in the tech industry, so do research on tech podcasts. If you're specifically in the beauty industry, then look for beauty podcasts.
Then build out an Excel sheet and keep notes of your research. Include important details like the podcast host, the show’s most recent episodes, and contact information. What is the podcast about and is it something you could come and speak on? Do the same research if you’re looking to write for an online publication, or maybe you’re looking for an art exhibit for your paintings.
It’s going to be very intimidating if you don’t have everything you need in your toolbox. This is why I highly recommend you do your research on your niche.
#3. PR Outreach
This is the fun part, for sure! After you’ve built out your research, it’s time for PR outreach. Connect with these people, start pitching your brand, and show them how this is one of the greatest ways you can offer them free value.
One tip I could give is to do this directly through their DMs if they are a smaller podcast or a smaller publication. If you’re not hearing back from them, don’t hesitate to call and do a follow-up! In fact, this is how I booked the first media appearance of an entrepreneur I interned for before. Yes, it was a tedious process but it worked and it was an amazing experience overall.
Another thing you can try is reaching out to people who have maybe just a few hundred or thousand followers more than you (or vice versa) and you happen to have a similar client base. Do a pitch that maybe you can do an Instagram live together where you can reach out to each other’s clients. If it works out, maybe you can turn it into a monthly reoccurrence or create a series out of it. This tip does not only help grow your following but also attracts the right types of people to your account.
Don't believe the thought that just because you don’t have a name in the industry yet, nothing is going to work. Even if you don't hear anything back after a while, you can always follow up with a new fresh pitch. And this time, maybe they'll remember your name, right? I am telling you, it is possible.
#4. Brand Placement
Let’s say, you’re preparing for a speaking event soon. What you can do is make a slide or make it a point to repeat your Instagram handle at least three or four times while you're speaking. Then you can encourage your audience to follow you by stating some type of free value that you offer on your page.
Here’s an example that I say when I am on a podcast, “Hello, I’m Caitlin, host of The End In Mind podcast. You can also find me on Instagram at Meraki underscore Media underscore Management (@meraki_media_management) where I post free business Instagram tips weekly.”
Here’s the thing, most of the time, people won't follow your page just because you told them to. Even if you put out a stunning social media graphic or give out an amazing speech, people always want to know first, what is it that they are going to get out of following you.
And, that’s all for now...
So, what one tip resonated with you the most out of the four? Make sure to comment below because I’d love to hear your thoughts! Also, feel free to share any other tips or maybe even some fun PR stories!