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Have you ever thought that you need to find a new way to get the word out about your company, product or service. PR, as you probably already know, is the non-paid exposure of a person or business, its products or services. The most popular methods to gaining the media's attention is through:

%u2022 Being a guest on a TV or radio show As Well As %u2022 Having a story written about you in a newspaper or magazine

With PR the only money you will spend is that which you pay your public relations firm, but this is up to you (please check out our 2 Part Series 'How to Choose the Right PR Firm for You' for some vital tips to finding the best firm for your needs ). But if you choose the most proven firm, or just decide to do the work in-house, PR can help you meet your targets without costing you lots of money.

Here Marsha Friedman, Chief Executive Officer of Event Management Service Inc, a national PR firm specializing in obtaining media attention for their clients through the electronic and print mediums , shares 6 effective ways as to how your company can gain national media attention. 1. Become an Author! Writing books is not just for Jackie Collins and Barrack Obama anymore! If you are an expert business and write a book you will be able to use it as a vehicle with the media . " If you write a book you will have a fantastic vehicle and calling card ", says Marsha Friedman. "If you are the author of a book, you will gain instant expert status in your industry : to your public, prospective customers and other people in your field . Most importantly, it opens the door for you to the media." When you watch TV, listen to the radio or read a magazine, you are unknowingly being exposed to people that are using this public relations trick to their advantage!

2. Make Yourself an Expert. The national and local media is always seeking experts to comment on newsworthy issues. Obviously, this is why people stay interested in listening, watching and reading. Marsha Friedman says, " As strange as it may sound, the media follows the media." Want to use the media? Well then start paying attention to it. Friedman adds, " Read your daily newspapers, watch news shows on TV, listen to talk shows on radio. Look for stories that can be linked to your topic. " By doing this you will be ahead of the pack when it comes to your successes with the media.

3. Appear as a Guest on Radio. " Being interviewed as a guest on talk radio shows is a great PR vehicle that will help you to gain local and national exposure and communicate directly to your consumers", says Marsha Friedman. "No matter if you are a local or national company, do as many interviews as possible. " Talk radio is very attractive from a PR perspective because: %u2022 The audience of talk radio is affluent, educated and attentive demographic %u2022 Being a talk radio guest is substantially cheaper than advertising on the station %u2022 It is a great opportunity to sell your product %u2022 The host (who has a dedicated listening audience) provides a solid "Third Party Endorsement" to your product or services %u2022 Talk radio can give you expert status %u2022 Appearing on a talk radio show enables you to really tell your story

4. Appear as a Guest on Local and/or National TV Shows. Television, much like radio, can really spread your message to the masses!with great levels of success. Marsha Friedman says, " As viewers expect to see celebrities on TV, when you appear as a guest on a TV show your credibility goes sky high."

5. Gain Print Coverage. You have probably picked up a newspaper or magazine and read an article about a competitor and thought to yourself "Why can't I be here instead of them?" There is no reason why you can't! The power of the print media is phenomenal. " This is an absolute public relations goldmine", says Marsha Friedman. The reasons why are : %u2022 The written word is always deemed to be true . %u2022 Print is where you'll find a huge segment of your buying audience. %u2022 Huge Variety - there's truly an endless list of publications to target. If you are able to develop excellent press releases and pitches, get ready for the exposure that will be coming your way from newspapers and magazines !

6. Reinvent Yourself as a Public Speaker Another fabulous way to get PR for your company, products or services is to get onto the speaking circuit in your community and in your industry. " Speak to community groups, Chambers of Commerce, events and trade associations to 'create a buzz' about you and your company," says Marsha Friedman. " The more speaking engagements you do - the word spreads and the more speaking invitations you'll get. And, whenever appropriate - invite the media! Just make sure you have a media kit to give them about your company in case they show up!"

Well there you go: 6 effective ways to gain national or local PR for you, your company, products or services. If you would like to learn more about gaining national and local media exposure for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Friedman would love to help. Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a PR expert Marsha has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without monthly retainers .