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So you think you are ready. You have made the smart decision of using PR to get your message across to the media. Congratulations! You have made a successful first step!

By now you have probably sat down and looked at your topic, have fully developed your message and are confident and ready to start getting yourself out there. Next up is to start pitching! Marsha , Chief Executive Officer of Event Management Services, Inc. , a national public relations firm, has been doing this successfully for over 20 years and knows exactly what grabs their attention and what turns them off. Here Marsha Friedman shares with us methods of pitching to the media 1. Never pitch yourself. When you are pitching to the media pitch your message not yourself. Marsha Friedman says, "Keep your focus on the issue. If you are a doctor specializing in natural health pitch a show idea or story about the 10 foods that will fight off illness during the flu season." Pitch the issue and grab the attention of the journalist or producer. What they want are hot, newsworthy topics that will grab and hold the interest of their viewers and readers, they do not want to be sold to.

2. Never pitch your product. If you are a product manufacturer it is very important that when you are pitching to the media that you do not keep the focus of your pitch on your product Marsha Friedman says, " If you have a product or service, focus your pitch on THE PROBLEM that your product or service solves. If you produce a line of gourmet cookies pitch a show or story about the value of quality family time and offer tips on how moms and dads can share baking time with their children." Producers don't react very well to sales pitches, so really try to stay away from them altogether.

3. Don't rely on the media's research. Although the media will do their own homework - don't rely solely on the results of their research. Marsha Friedman says, " Make sure to give them YOUR facts. This is especially important if your topic is controversial as you want them to have the data that supports your position." When pitching, have an arsenal of facts that you can use to educate the media with. This is more useful then you can imagine. A busy producer may not be willing to take the time to hear your story if it is explained in a difficult to understand manner. The more time you save explaining, the more time you can spend pitching the benefits of having you as a guest or featured on their pages.

4. There is power in numbers. If you are topic is controversial then have some like minded friends or colleagues that can join you when you are a guest for backup. Marsha Friedman says, "If you're pitching a controversial topic to a radio or TV show, select the guests you want to appear with you. With this group you will have a better handle on the segment and have people with you that will support your message. This helps you gain acceptance with the audience. " If you do not have suggested guests to pitch to the producer, and they pick it up, you may just be setting yourself up for an on-air ambush, which if you are not prepared, can land you in deep water.

These tips will help you build confidence and get you out the door pitching like mad! If you would like to learn more about gaining media attention for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Marsha 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 public relations expert Friedman has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without budget busting monthly retainers.