Note: I’ll be adding links to recent press mentions soon — My primary focus was getting this posted while it was still fresh in my mind. Be sure to come back, because I’ll be adding more examples from my experiences that will hopefully help your efforts (It’s not my intent to tease you, but I want you to come back for more!)
For the last week or so, I’ve experienced a blur in the press and online: I’ve been quoted by the Associated Press, Christian Science Monitor, Denver Post and other outlets on a variety of subjects from food to technology. And it doesn’t stop there: There’s CNN, Laptop Magazine and a few others that are on the way.
In the past, I’ve been quoted or featured by the Detroit News, Nashville Business Journal, Rocky Mountain News (about three months ago), TechCrunch, NewTeeVee and many others. My first appearance in a publication dates back to 1995, where I was featured alongside a team of brilliant high school software developers for a national computer programming competition. We were rewarded for our top finish in the competition, beating out dozens of other high schools across the country. It was a wonderful moment!.
When I started getting press coverage some 9 years ago on my own, I started by writing my own press releases and hunting for contacts who might be working on stories relevant to what I was doing at the time. Reading a lot of press releases helped too, because I didn’t know a thing about writing them, so I emulated what I read and it worked! 
In 2000, I made my debut in my hometown paper, The Detroit News, along with a childhood friend. I wanted to get the word out about our new startup, so I managed to secure an interview with the News. The reaction around town was pretty weird, because they featured us on the cover of the business section. In 2001, I made an appearance in the Nashville Business Journal for another project I founded. I issued a press release I wrote to the local media in Nashville and that’s how I got the interview.
I still can’t believe how many blogs, newspapers and such I’ve been featured or quoted by. In April 2008, I was invited by ABC to record an interview for their special on the late Dr. Randy Pausch. It was my second television experience — But on a much larger scale. It was inspiring to be part of a special that not only humbled me, but brought tears to my eyes. All of these experiences are the result of commanding a desired outcome and seizing opportunities as they present themselves.
I’ve always been a guy who has worked hard to get his name and passions out into the world. So, if you’re trying to plug yourself, get busy and make yourself available to the press. I’d be happy to share my experiences with anyone who cares to learn how I did it, because I’m a firm believer that we can achieve anything we want if we grant ourselves the permission to do so.
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Ron,
Thanks for sharing your experience. In the past I was involved nationally as a keynote speaker, workshop presenter, etc. focused on larger businesses.
In the last three years I’ve buried myself in Denver working with small to mid-size businesses and have developed a number of products/services we are about to take national.
I never worked the press release channel so I’m looking forward to learning more from you. Would love to get a cup of coffee after the New Year.
Best, – Chuck Blakeman
Hey Ron,
Great post. I’ve never read anything by you that uses one single wasted word… Two years ago, I wrote my very first press release. It was for the 4th Edition of my book, ‘BeatTips Manual: Some Insight on Producing Hip Hop-Rap Beats and Music’. From that single press release, I generated a level of response previously unfamiliar to me…
In the Spring of ’09, I will be publishing the 5th Edition of the BeatTips Manual. Now that my book is already use in several major universities, including NYU, I plan to use what I’ve learned about generating press coverage to help me get my book into other universities and high schools…
Thanks for providing this useful information.
-Amir Said (aka”Sa’id”)