Get Web Traffic from Your Media Appearances

http-typewriterAppearing on a television or radio program, or being featured in a newspaper or magazine article, is great publicity. But usually it is literally “here today, gone tomorrow.” There are several ways to recycle publicity successes to get more mileage from them, though. Here is a simple tip you can use to bring people to your web site immediately and long after the original story appeared (and disappeared).

Find a way to get your web site URL in the story. Do not assume that they will automatically put it in. When you work with the producer, editor or reporter, ask them to include your web site in the story and (here is the important part) give them a reason to do so. After all, the media are not in business to promote you, they are there to serve their audiences.

Make it worthwhile for them to include your web site in the story by having a useful resource at the site. It might be a directory, a how-to video, tips, an ebook, or anything that could be helpful. It is best if the resource is free. For example, I got my web site mentioned in a New York Times article because I offer a free online course on mystery shopping.

Offering a resource also gives the audience a reason to come to your web site. It is your call to action. You may get hundreds or even thousands of people checking out your site after seeing your story.

Here is where the long-term benefit comes in: Getting your web site URL in the story means that when they put the story online (as they almost always do) you will get a link from their site to yours. There are links to my web site from many media sites, including CNN, the New York Times and several local television and radio stations, as well as local newspapers. My web logs show that those sites send visitors to my site, in many cases years after the original story ran.

Not only do I still get new visitors to my web site years after a media appearance, do you think there is search engine value in having links from sites such as CNN.com? You betcha! Having links from authority sites can help your site’s standings in the search engine results, bringing you even more visitors.

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March 2, 2009 | Filed Under Web Site

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2 Responses to “Get Web Traffic from Your Media Appearances”

  1. Deborah Flurry on November 12th, 2009 10:39 am

    This does sound like it would work for me and my website. I’m gonna give it a try. I have some very good quality products, I just can’t seem to get them out there by promoting my website. We are a group of women who are trying to make an income from home with a single income household. This is not a part time job for extra money, this is our only source of income. We have all put alot of hard work and care into our products. Just praying that they sell. We are very proud of our products.
    Thank You Deborah Flurry

  2. Monique Rowe on December 8th, 2009 7:48 pm

    I am in a similiar situation – one income and trying to sell my book online.

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