Are you ready to pitch to the media? You have decided to harness the power of PR to get national media attention on television, talk radio or in newspapers and magazines for your company, product or services. First, let me congratulate you on this point! This is a big step in the right direction of growing your media exposure!

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. The next step in this process is the one that many dread and some even hate: pitching your message to the media. Marsha , Chief Executive Officer of Event Management Service Inc, a national PR firm, has been doing this successfully for over 20 years and knows exactly what grabs their attention and what turns them off. Here Friedman shares with us methods of pitching to the media 1. Don't pitch yourself. When you get in contact with the media, don't pitch your company or YOUR qualifications. Friedman says, "Focus your pitches on THE ISSUE that you are an expert on. 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 focus solely on the product you are trying to push Friedman says, "Focus on the problem or issue that your product can fix. Don't keep harping on about your product on its own. You will lose their interest. 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." Again, producers and journalists shy away from pitches that sound like infomercials and it is an instant turn-off to their audience.

3. Don't rely on the media's research. Don't rely on the media to get perfect results on your topic through their research. 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 you are pitching it is useful to have as many facts ready to use as possible. 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. Phone a friend. 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. Friedman says, "If you're pitching a controversial topic to a radio or TV show, have a list of guests that are available to be on the show with you to support your side of the story 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.

Hopefully these tips will help you get out there today and start pitching! If you would like to learn more about gaining media attention for your company, product or service, without the financial burden of monthly retainers, Friedman is available to be of service . Feel free to contact her directly at mfriedman@emsincorporated.com or visit her firm online at http://www.emsincorporated.com. As a PR expert Marsha has the ability to get the media attention that you desire without monthly retainers .

Marsha Friedman has been a leading authority on public relations for nearly two decades as CEO of Event Management Services, Inc (EMSI). If you would like to receive her free Ebook "How to Be a Great Talk Radio Guest" visit http://www.emsincorporated.com.