Ask An Expert: Press coverage
How do I get positive coverage for my pub in the local press?
Getting your pub in the local press is a good way of boosting trade - and it's something you can easily do yourself. Not only can it help get new punters in through the door, but your regulars will love reading about their local, as will your staff, and ultimately you'll be creating brand loyalty for the pub.
Most of us have a PC, or access to one, so the only thing you need is something to say. This can take in items such a charity evening, Cask Marque accreditation, a trip to the races and live music.
If you get stuck for ideas look at what your competitors are up to. Go online and look up other pubs - any pub - and see what they are doing.
Being a licensee you'll also be party to all kinds of news and gossip from your regulars, so tap into this, too.
Look at how your local press puts its stories together, and aim to get all the facts of the story in three paragraphs of 25 words each by answering the questions who, what, when, where, why and how, before padding out the rest of the release with background and quotes. Then email the release to the paper's newsdesk.
Or you could speak to the reporter for your area on the phone to see if a story is of interest, and they may take down the details from you. You shouldn't assume you'll get coverage every week, and don't expect to be on the front page or even the lead story on a page. But the more you offer the papers, the easier it will become for you. And you never know - you may even end up as a local personality!
Richard Hamer is founder and director of Blue Sky PR in Leeds and a specialist in publicity for pubs
Got a question?
Email philm@thepublican.com or call 020 7955 3708
