Rule # 1) start with the local media! Your local press is always looking for good stories. Many of the local media companies are owned by national media companies. If the story has national interest it has the possibility of getting picked up by the national press. Your local media outlets are much more open to hearing your pitch than CNN or Oprah.

Rule # 2) Learn how to select the right media outlet, newspapers, radio, TV or the Internet. What happens a lot is the big newspapers publich a story and it is followed by television. TV follows newspapers for the most part. Depending on the breaking news aspect television can be better for live breaking news. How is the visual appeal of the story, what it it like? My Success Gateway, LLC has been covered in all major media and if we can do it so can you.

Rule #3) Know who to ask for at the media outlets. If you are going to speak with the newspaper you will want to contact the specific reporter who covers your local story weather it be a sports writer, local news writer or an entertainment writer. In television you will want to ask for the "assignment editor" or the "assignment desk" to pitch your story to.

Rule # 4) You have to be current with the news that is happening in your area. make sure that you don't forget the hook! For example let's say you are a chiropractor and evey year there is a big marathon in your city. Set up a chiropractic station at the finish line to treat the athletes post race with their back pain. Now you want to get on the phone with the news media and let them know that X % of runners experience back pain (hook) and that you are treating them at the finish line gratis.

Rule # 5) You have to make the story promotable for the news outlet. How many times do you see the nightly news say, "stick around for the next story of the Hollywood celebrity X who is dating X, you won't believe it!" make sure that you tell this to the assignment desk, they will know that you are assisting them in doing their thinking for them and making their job easier.

Rule # 6) Make sure that there is a payoff for the viewers! The viewers probably already know that there is going to be a marathon in their city and might know some of the runners in the event. The payoff for the runners is to learn how to manage their back pain after their marathon. The TV station will love doing the story because it offers tips on wellness and they are being perceived as a community contributor to the story and this will hold and attract viewers.

Rule # 7) Tell them you want to make a fast story pitch! 9 out of 10 producers, assignment editors and reporters will say yeas to 30 seconds, but not if they are on deadline. If they do say yes have your duicks in a row and start talking and doln't shut up until they tell you to. If they like the story they will tell you. They will ask for mor einformation. If they say e-mail it into news@newsstation.com that means it won't make their broadcast. If they ask you to mail it to their e-mail directly you stand a better chance.

In conclusion, press is the best form of free advertising. Knowing how to talk to the news media, knowing what they are looking for is all you have to know. THe rest is up to you to make the contacts.