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Home // Exhibitor Information // Public Relations Guide - Free
Public Relations Guide - Free
Global Pet Expo Builds your Brand to the MediaYou may have a strategy for reaching the buyers at the Show, but it's also essential to have a plan to reach the media attending Global Pet Expo. The press are the invaluable source that may give your products the national attention they deserve. Global Pet Expo's public relations team has compiled the following tips to assist you with developing your public relations strategy and campaign for the trade show. Table of Contents
What is Public Relations?
Your PR Plan for Success
Plan Your Message
Writing a Press Release
Sample Press Release
Press Kit Assembly
Pre-Event Publicity
Media Lists
Utilizing the Press Room
Get Your Products Noticed!
Simple Public Relations Tips Developed Exclusively for Exhibitors Getting media exposure for your products at Global Pet Expo is one of the most important benefits of participation. But, did you know by taking some very basic public relations steps you can maximize your coverage, gain valuable media exposure, drive traffic to your booth and raise awareness for your products?
What you should be doing now to get your PR plan underway:
What is Public Relations?
In short, public relations is the communications function that a corporation or organization utilizes to create favorable opinion for itself, its product, or its service.
By effectively using the tools of public relations, you can:
- Clearly demonstrate key messages
- Build brand awareness
- Enhance product or service quality perceptions
- Strengthen relationships with customers and/or target audiences
- Motivate purchasing
Public relations can accomplish all of this in a way that goes beyond advertising, direct marketing or commercial promotion because its primary weapon is news! What people say about you in the news is perceived as more credible than what you say about yourself in advertising.
Your PR Plan for Success
Now that we've touched on what public relations is and what it can do for your company, let's talk about how you can start now to better ensure outstanding coverage at the Show!
Find tips on the following topics to get your PR efforts underway:
- Plan Your Message
- Writing a Press Release
- Press Kit Assembly
- Pre-Event Publicity/Driving Traffic to Your Booth
- Utilizing the Press Room
Plan Your Message
Before assembling press materials, and especially before beginning the process of scheduling media interviews, it is essential to draft a precise, clear message or “soundbite.” Your message should be no longer than 15 seconds when spoken and should be practiced for a smooth presentation in the future. This is your opportunity to mention your company/product name and to deliver important or exciting news about what’s new with your company. It is also a good idea to designate one individual as your spokesperson to ensure consistency. This could be your one shot at exposure, so having a planned message is key!
Sample soundbite (not an actual company):
AFTER YEARS OF RESEARCH, ACME PETTREATS IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE "TREETZ", A RREVOLUTIONARY PRODUCT THAT LOOKS LIKE A HUMAN "TIC TAC" AND ELIMINATES BAD BREATH FOR YOUR PET FOR 24 HOURS… ACME IS COMMITTED TO PRODUCTS THAT AT MAKE LIFE FOR YOU AND YOUR PET MORE ENJOYABLE.
Writing a Press Release
It’s important to keep in mind that writing and distributing a press release doesn’t guarantee that your story will appear in the news. The media’s primary concern when reporting on news is that the stories and information are interesting to their audience. That is why it is essential to capture the reader’s attention from the moment he or she sees your eye-catching press release headline. Start with the most vital information in the lead paragraph, expand on that lead and continue to present details in decreasing order of importance.
Here are some tips on details to include when drafting a press release:
- Always date your press releases, provide contact names and phone numbers, company name and address
- Use photos whenever possible and clearly label photo with date, company name, contact name and phone number
- When announcing new products be sure to include details such as when it will be available to consumers, why it’s significant in the marketplace, suggested retail price
Sample Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jane Doe
ACME Co.
555-555-5555 ext. 5
email address
ACME PET TREATS ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF REVOLUTIONARY PET TREAT AT GLOBAL PET EXPO'S TRADE SHOW Anytown, USA., Date, 2012 - ACME Pet Treats Vice President, John Smith announced today that ACME will unveil a evolutionary pet product at Global Pet 2012, February 29-March 2, in Orlando, FL. ACME's hot new product, "Treetz," is sure to bring joy to pets and owners alike as this product, which resembles the popular human "tic tac" mints, promises to keep your pet's breath fresh for 24 hours! The product will be shown at Global Pet Expo for the first time and promises to be one of the hottest pet products released this year. Smith said, "We are thrilled to reveal this exciting new product at Global Pet Expo. This is the perfect opportunity for us to show the world that we have created a product that will make owning a pet a more enjoyable experience than ever. " "Treetz" will be available to the public in March 2012 at pet superstores and local pet supply shops. ACME officials say that the product will retail for $1.99 per unit. Media and buyers attending the show can visit ACME at BOOTH 5555. Global Pet Expo is the pet industry's largest annual trade show and is listed in Tradeshow Week 200. This annual listing of the top 200 North American trade shows is compiled by the Los Angeles, CA trade show industry publication Tradeshow Week. # # # #
Sample Boiler Plate
Insert a closing paragraph about your company at the bottom of the press release.
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) is the leading not-for-profit trade association serving the interests of the pet products industry since 1958. APPA membership includes nearly 1,000 pet product manufacturers, their representatives, importers and livestock suppliers representing both large corporations and growing business enterprises. APPA's mission is to promote, develop and advance pet ownership and the pet product industry and to provide the services necessary to help its members prosper. Visit www.americanpetproducts.org for more information.
Press Kit Assembly
It is important when assembling your press kit that you do not over-do it as too much information may be overwhelming to the press and may cause them to disregard your materials. Regardless of the format of your press kit, it is most important to be mindful of the kit’s content.
Here are some examples of what you should include in your press kit:
- Most recent press releases try – to keep it limited to fresh information
- Backgrounder – a simple one – sheet with facts about your company and products
- Product photo – it is wise to include a photo of any products that you are featuring
- Contact information – include a business card or contact sheet listing name, address, phone, fax, email, web site and company name
- Make sure your booth number is prominent on your folder/CD case/materials so that the media can locate you easily on the showroom floor
It is important to come to the show prepared with several press kits (25-50) to keep at your booth and most importantly in the press office. Media kit bins will be available in the press office to showcase your press materials. It is strongly suggested that with your press kits you display a sample of your product, especially if you’re launching something new at the Show. Some media might request that you send the kit post-show, so it is a good idea to keep a running list of requests so that they can be easily followed up on after the Show.
Exhibitors should pick up any press kits from the Press Office once the show closes on the last day or they will be disgarded.
Pre-Event Publicity—Driving Traffic to Your Booth
Once you have your message crafted, a press release written and press kit assembled, it's time to start contacting the media and laying the groundwork for driving traffic to your booth. Determining your target audience and developing media lists are perhaps the most important functions in a successful PR program. Global Pet Expo's public relations team has compiled a media list especially for you as a Global Pet Expo exhibitor to promote your company and products.
It's important to know that generally speaking, media prefer to receive news releases via email. Mail and fax are generally accepted methods as well. In addition to materials you are crafting specifically for the Show, it is wise to begin in the next month or two by sending news releases about any new products, personnel promotions, special events, and other newsworthy opportunities to start getting these important contacts familiar with your company and its products. Keep in mind that some magazines "close" issues 2-3 months prior to publications, so a news item sent in December might not appear in print until February or March, depending on deadlines.
Media Lists
Once you have your message crafted, a press release written and press kit assembled, it’s time to start contacting the media and laying the groundwork for driving traffic to your booth. Determining your target audience and developing media lists are perhaps the most important functions in a successful PR program. Global Pet Expo’s public relations team is compiling a media list especially for you as a Global Pet Expo exhibitor to use to promote your company and products. With this list, you can take a proactive approach to maximizing your exposure by sending the media press releases either “teasing” your products or enticing them to visit you at the Show. Download the PDF list of International Trade Publications
Download the PDF list of US Trade Publications
Download the PDF list of US Consumer Publications
Utilizing the Press Office, Room 205 One of the first and most important stops you should make when you arrive at the Show, should be at the Press Room. This is where the media will check-in, stop by for information and where many will go to collect press kits. Plan to drop off a stack of press kits on day one and check in periodically to see if your supply needs to be replenished. This is a great opportunity for you to get information to the media directly and for Global Pet Expo's public relations staff to have your information easily accessible for potential media inquiries. Don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to get your products noticed! This information has been provided as a service to you as a Global Pet Expo exhibitor. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Skelley at jskelley@americanpetproducts.org.
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