Get on the Local News to Grow Your Business or Brand!

There are many ways to get featured on the local news. You can hire a PR firm and pay a hefty fee to secure local spots, or you can take a DIY approach. Over the past 10 years of building my brand, I’ve appeared on both local and national media—all through my own efforts.

If you’re promoting your business, building your brand, seeking greater visibility, launching a book, or just want the credibility of appearing on a local show to leverage for bigger opportunities, this is for you.

Benefits of Getting on the Local News

1. Instant Social Proof – Once you’ve been featured in the media, you can display your appearances on your website or pin them to your social platforms. This boosts your credibility.
2. Builds Local Brand Recognition – Targeting a specific community? Local residents who see your story are more likely to engage with your business.
3. Increases Trust and Credibility – People tend to trust individuals and businesses featured in the media.
4. Generates Referrals – Viewers who resonate with your story are more inclined to recommend your services.
5. Boosts SEO (Search Engine Optimization) – Media platforms often rank high on search engines, increasing your visibility when people search for your expertise.

What Stories Are the Local Media Looking For?

1. Community Relevance – Stories that resonate with the local audience.
2. Educational Content – Segments that inform or inspire in a meaningful way.
3. Inspirational Journeys – Overcoming hardships or challenges that encourage others.
4. Positive Representation – With so much negativity, the news welcomes uplifting and optimistic stories.
5. Timely Connections – Tie your story to current events or seasonal themes for extra relevance.

Before You Pitch the Local Media

1. Know Your Niche – Identify the specific audience or market segment you serve.
2. Craft Your Story Angle – What value will your story bring to their audience?
3. Clarify Your Goal – What do you hope to achieve? More sales? Greater brand visibility?

How to Find the Right Journalists to Pitch

1. Search local news websites and check out journalist bios to find reporters whose interests align with your story.
2. Use social media to search hashtags with your business keywords and “story” to see relevant journalist profiles.
3. Explore human interest sections. These often showcase the types of stories news outlets are seeking.
4. Look up relevant stories similar to yours and identify the journalists who covered them.
5. Monitor your competition and identify journalists who have featured businesses like yours.
6. Set up Google Alerts to track local stories and get inspiration for your pitch.

Sample Pitch Letter for a Mom Who is an Organization Coach

Subject: Feature Idea: Helping Families Stay Organized During the Holidays

Dear [Journalist’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well. My name is [Your Name], and I’m a local organization coach specializing in helping moms create calm and functional spaces in their homes while juggling the demands of parenting.

With the holidays around the corner—a time when families often feel overwhelmed by clutter, gift-buying, and holiday prep—I believe your audience would benefit from practical tips on how to stay organized and stress-free.

I’d love to share:

• 5 simple strategies to organize your home before the holiday rush
• How to involve kids in tidying up and decluttering during the holidays
• Tips for creating functional gift-wrapping stations that save time and space

My goal is to inspire and equip viewers with actionable steps to make the holidays less chaotic and more enjoyable. Please let me know if this resonates with your audience or if you’d like additional details!

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Business Name]
[Your Contact Information]

Listen to the podcast episode below!