Silly season – the time in the summer which is traditionally slow in newsworthy events – offers the perfect opportunity to grab the headlines.

So if you’re tired of reading about UFO sightings or crop circles, then Red Marlin has some top tips to get you in the news, boosting your media exposure to potential new customers.

However, one important factor to remember from the outset is that your story has to be newsworthy and not advertising dressed up as news because editor’s will spot it a mile away and will hit delete.

The good news, though, is that as long as it is genuinely interesting, then it stands a very real chance of being used by the media.

What should you consider?

Begin by thinking what’s going on at your business. For starters have you secured any major deals, employed new staff, moved premises due to business expansion, or simply celebrated an anniversary.

If still scratching your head to think of something, then look outside of your business for inspiration.

Newspapers love publishing unusual and interesting survey results. Surveys can be commissioned, or if you have a large enough database then you could run the survey yourself to keep costs down.

The extra benefit is that the results could provide important information for your own company for future marketing activity.

Likewise, if you have any hard facts relating to your industry that can be utilised for a timely news story then editors will look kindly on that.

Use infographics, such as a map, to add extra interest. For instance, a quick look on Sun Motors www.thesun.co.uk/motors (where Red marlin has enjoyed much success for its clients) and you will see that many stories are accompanied by a map of the UK, a league table of some description, or an eye-catching infographic!

Of course, I’m not going to give away all of our tips in one go, so have a think about what will work best for you.

If you need any further guidance then I’d be delighted to hear from you.