By Cheval John

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Here in Houston, a top ten media market, a journalist have to know how to do live shots, write their own scripts and put together an article for the respective news station’s website at the same time.

They will have to start their journalism careers in a smaller television market to earn work experience before they can apply for larger television stations in the major media markets.

To add on to the workload, they now have to be on social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook to keep track of breaking stories happening in their respective cities and the world.

Since a lot of journalists are being laid off across the nation at their respective media outlets, it puts a heavy workload on the rest of the staff who managed to keep their jobs.

So these same journalist are looking for news stories everyday.

What does this have to do with an entrepreneur of a small business or a larger company?

Plenty.

If you are looking for media coverage for your business, you will have to provide a story which will generate enough interest for the journalist to cover.

That means having a blog which chat about certain business or social media trends happening in the industry and having stats to back up your story.

If you can provide value to your audience on a weekly basis with your blog, podcast, live video, etc., I honestly believe you will get the media attention you are searching for.

Now I mentioned “if” because most businesses still believe they can use social media to sell their products or services to a potential customers.

They are still sending media outlets press releases of how their business is so revolutionary that it deserves the coverage.

They believe if they can hire a public relations firm to help them get national attention, it will change their business forever.

The ship of press releases has sailed because of social media.

Remember what I said about journalist being on social media looking for news stories?

Social media is where businesses need to be because it is the new “media outlet.”

If you want to earn media coverage from organizations for your business, here are three steps to follow:

1. BE A GIVER

Do not go out and spam journalists with your products or services the minute they connect with you. Look for ways to provide value to them.

2. SHARE THEIR ARTICLES WITH YOUR AUDIENCE

When you share a journalist’s story with your audience, they will know they are doing something right in their reporting.

3. CHAT WITH THEM

You can actually have a conversation with a journalist on a daily basis via social media especially Twitter.

Most are consistently interacting with their fans to let them know they are paying attention

One journalist here in Houston is constantly sharing live video about stories she is working on for the local affiliate station of a major media company.

She also shares her love for the Houston Astros which I respect though I told her at one point I am a Chicago Cubs fan.

Hopefully, this article will inspire you to take action, build credibility on social media and in the long run become a reliable source for journalist around the world.

If you have any other advice to building trust with journalist, you can leave your comments below