This year's SHOT Show in Las Vegas, NV is less than six weeks away. Here is a short, but important PR checklist to get the most out of the show and to increase your company's media coverage.
Book appointments in advance to bring the media into your booth.
The media will be very busy at the show, so work with their schedule and don't ask for any more than 30 minutes of their time. Some media will be reluctant to schedule a firm time. Just invite them to come anytime and make sure they know your booth number.
Build a Digital Press Kit.
A digital press kit is a must these days. Nobody wants to carry extra materials around the show or on the plane home. Make sure that there are digital images of every new product. Name the image files and organize them in a fashion that is easily understood. It may be advantageous to provide both a high res and low res set to accommodate media who are publishing to the web. Digital press kits should be loaded onto USB memory sticks or CDs, and ideally also be available on your company's website.
Make Things Easy For the Media.
Provide press releases and/ or new product data sheets. Data sheets should include a brief 100 word description, key features of the product, benefits of the product, product release date and MSRP. The data sheet should also have contact info for both the press contact and the consumer purchase and contact info for the company.
Bring Lots of Business Cards.
This may sound silly, but at every show I've ever attended I've talked to people who either forgot to order more cards ahead or who didn't bring enough with them. Don't let it happen to you.
Join an Outdoor Writer Organization.
Outdoor writer organizations like the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) or the Outdoor Writer's Association (OWAA) are an excellent resource for your company. Joining one of these organizations will help your company make some excellent contacts with outdoor writing professionals and will help support the industry.
Let Melus Outdoors Handle Your Media Communications.
Sue Melus is experienced at handling PR efforts for companies in the shooting, hunting and outdoor trade industries. Contact her today to discuss how she can help your company achieve its PR goals.
