Well, probably not all wrong. But if you are looking for media coverage or traction in social media, you are probably guilty of at least one of the infractions on the list below.
- Too few attempts. A .300 slugger will get into the hall of fame. A similar at bat experience applies to getting media exposure.
- Missing stats. A good deal of the media coverage to be earned lies with being illustrative of, or at odds with, prevailing industry trends. Demonstrating these trends falls to you.
- Too scared. Fearing the likelihood of what could go wrong overshadows what could go right.
- Too long, too complex. Your pitch, spoken or written should be less than 200 words.
- Audience envy. Dispensing with unheard-of media outlets that hit your precise audience with generous coverage and favoring tier-one outlets that will offer parsimonious coverage to a diffuse audience.
- Detachment. Unwillingness to recognize you have a legitimate point of view that belongs in the larger discussion in the news about your industry or the economy at large.
- Overprotective. Letting privacy concerns remain an obstacle when they can be easily managed.
- Gun shy. Unwillingness to bring clients and customers into the effort.
- Hovering. Stay out of the pitch and focus on the interview.
- Not thinking outside the box. Cliche, but true.
