Entrepreneurs looking to get small business public relations coverage in the news media may want to think about jumping on the GOP debate and primary bandwagon. We’re getting hot and heavy into the campaign season and year, which means all the candidates are trying to hitch their wagon and talking points to local businesses with a story to share. You could be one of these local businesses that gets mentioned during the debates or included in a newspaper/Internet news story. And while some entrepreneurs have mixed views on the value placed in participating, the point of this website is to help small businesses get coverage in the news media in a variety of ways.
Here are nine ways entrepreneurs can get small business public relations coverage by getting included in the GOP campaign news stories:
1: Jobs/Hiring - Arguably the biggest theme in the 2012 GOP campaign and the Presidential campaign later this year will be jobs and hiring. Are jobs coming back? Are companies hiring? Your small business could be a part of a candidate’s talking points. Is your business hiring jobs? Is your business being forced to shed jobs? Either way, write a story explaining your company’s situation and send it to the candidates (contact information below). You might be contacted by one of the camps and included in their speeches.
2: Taxes - Although not as heated as jobs, taxes are still one of the main talking points in this election year. How are the current taxes and tax codes impacting your small business? Contact the candidates with your story and talk about where taxes are helping or hurting your business.
3: Economic Stimulus - Especially with construction and municipal road projects, economic stimulus is one topic that offers a great way for entrepreneurs to obtain small business public relations coverage. Is your business one of the companies that’s benefiting from the stimulus program? Share your story with the candidates and let them know where you stand. Small construction companies thriving off the stimulus spending are in prime position to benefit, but even smaller companies and local restaurants that have to feed the construction workers also have a story to share.
4: Legislative Policy - Are there certain laws recently enacted or being discussed that will have a positive or negative impact on your small business? Introduce yourself to the candidates and invite them to sit down with you to discuss. Election campaigns love to call attention to businesses that help move their talking points on bills being proposed or defended.
5: Foreign Trade - We’ve been living and operating in a global economy for years now. Because of this, nearly every company in every industry is impacted by foreign competition - even small business. What is going on with foreign trade that impacts your business?
6: Union & Labor Laws - Are there labor issues taking place within your industry that impacts your small business? Immigration policy also plays a role in this issue on the outskirts, and there have been plenty of stories over the years that have cause labor to be front and center. Does your small business deal with union or immigration issues? What are the hot-button issues and how does it impact your company?
7: Healthcare - Made a priority by President Obama during his first term, healthcare was arguably the most significant issue on the President’s domestic agenda during the last few years. The GOP candidates have strong views towards repealing “Obama Care” and a lot of this is because of the costs facing small businesses. Are you feeling any of this in your small business? National cable television media have especially been all over this issue and it would b a great opportunity for a small business to get on CNN.
8: Education - Schools and organizations that interact with children will always be a hot-button issue in any election year. Is your business impacted by education, or does it involve any area of the education system? From early childcare and secondary schools to high schools and higher education, there are hundreds of thousands of organizations and institutions impacted by the subject of education. Reach out to the candidates with your thoughts on the education atmosphere and let them know you’d like to be a part of the message.
9: Campaign Stops - Sometimes small business benefit off the campaign trail simply by being in the right place at the right time. Restaurants especially play a role here because the candidates like to stop off at small eateries on the campaign trail.
Here is how you can connect with each of the remaining GOP candidates:
Mitt Romney
For scheduling inquiries, please contact scheduling@mittromney.com.
Please note that all scheduling inquiries must be submitted in writing.
For press inquiries, please contact press@mittromney.com.
For all other inquiries, please contact info@mittromney.com.
Mitt Romney for President
P.O. Box 149756
Boston, MA 02114-9756
857-288-3500
Newt Gingrich
Contact: (678) 973-2306
http://www.newt.org/contact
Events: http://www.newt.org/events
Ron Paul
Headquarters Phone (Toll-Free): 855-886-9779
Headquarters Phone (Local): 703-563-6620
Store Phone (Local): 979-297-5414
Headquarters Fax: 703-563-7330
Mailing address:
Ron Paul 2012 Presidential Campaign Committee.
8000 Forbes Place, Suite 200
Springfield VA 22151
Events: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/category/events/
Contact: http://www.ronpaul2012.com/contact-us/
Rick Santorum
PO Box 37
Verona, PA 15147
888.321.6675
Info@RickSantorum.com
For Press Inquires, please contact:
Matt Beynon
Matt@RickSantorum.com
South Carolina Office:
311 Johnnie Dodds Blvd
Suite 141
Mt. Pleasant SC 29464
855.206.RICK (7425)
Fax: 843.856.2449
SouthCarolina@RickSantorum.com
Florida Office:
1680 Fruitville Road
Suite 102
Sarasota, FL 34236
Fax: 484.229.0062
jesse@ricksantorum.com
Contact: http://www.ricksantorum.com/contact-us
Rick Perry
You can reach us by calling 1-855-8US-JOBS (855-887-5627).
To donate by mail, please download, complete, and send this form to RickPerry.org, Inc., P.O. Box 28890, Austin, TX 78755
What other ways can small business public relations coverage take place through election publicity?
John Sternal is co-founder of Sternal Consulting, a PR and marketing consultancy helping businesses get noticed through publicity in the media. He is the author of the PR Toolkit for Small Business and currently authoring a book about DIY public relations for small business owners. For questions email John Sternal or connect with him @SternalPR.
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