Expand your credibility: Syndicate your content!

Media generally does not generally pick up content and content never goes viral on its own.

You are already involved in content marketing; here is what to do next.

Your first critical step is to build your media network. Seek out all what you can about the people who write about the topics you are interested in. Get to know these people. Share their content. Bring them story ideas even when you have nothing to gain personally from them. Most journalists and bloggers use Twitter to find their stories. You absolutely have to be connecting with them on Twitter. Journalists and bloggers can help spread the word especially when your story is relevant and interesting to their audience.

A picture is worth a thousand words; optimize your visual assets. For every article, find a picture, an illustration that delivers the message that you want to convey, an illustration that speaks to the reader, that drives the nail down. Use descriptive filenames for your illustrations, optimize your alt tags, and use image site maps to ensure your visual assets are findable.

Over and above everything else, think strategically, think systemically; think of your content as being a part of a greater project: Getting the Maximum, the Greatest Exposure Possible and never let a story die. Always come up with at least three follow-up articles referring back to the original story and syndicate your content. If you’re putting time and effort into developing your own stories, syndicate your blog content.

It definitely helps expand your reach and credibility with media when you are appearing in mainstream media outlets. Target International Press, media outlets that translate articles from one language to another, like AP, AFP, Thompson Reuters, Dow Jones, and IDG. If you’re appearing in these massive publications, you will have no trouble attracting smaller, international local news outlets. Finally, Do not neglect Traditional Media. Coverage by the traditional medias always turns out to be a great driver for more press pickups. Today, all television and radio stations also have digital outlets and are still incredibly effective for authority building.

Make sure you know everywhere the content will end up so you can promote it through your own social and email marketing channels.

JMD

jmdlive@live.ca

Michel Ouellette JMD [jmdlive.com] is a Public Affairs & Communications Strategist, a miracle worker for entrepreneurs, executives and social innovators.