Free advice about selling your story
Talk to the Press is a free service to help members of the public sell their stories to magazines, newspapers and television companies. Not only can we get you the maximum exposure for your story or cause, we guarantee to help you achieve the highest amount of money possible for your story.
To get your story valued, and find out if it could work as an article or feature, simply fill out the story valuation form on this page.
There is no obligation and nothing will ever be used without your permission. What you send us now will simply help us value your story, so you only need to provide the very basic outline of what happened. A few lines or bullet points will suffice at this stage.
Top tips for dealing with the press
Tip 1: How to sell a story
If you are thinking about selling a story, the chances are you have a few questions you’d like to know the answers to first. The top questions people ask us are covered in our ‘How to sell a story’ Q&A. Click to read more.
Tip 2: Managing Press Attention
If you suddenly find yourself caught up in the news, you may find yourself feeling totally overwhelmed by all the media attention you receive. We often receive calls from people who have journalists outside their homes, knocking on the door and asking for interviews. When you don’t know how the industry works, it can be hard to know what to do.
You can call our team anytime for help and advice, or you can download our guide to dealing with press on the doorstep by clicking here.
Tip 3: How to get a book deal
Everyone has a book in them… The old saying may well be true but having a great story to share with the world isn’t the same thing as actually getting a book published and displayed on bookshelves around the country.We try to help people who have sold stories through us explore book opportunities and have compiled some of our top tips to help you turn your dream of being a writer into a reality. Plus, respected literary agent Andrew Lownie has written an exclusive guide to approaching an agency with your book. Read more here.
Tip 4: How to be on TV
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to appear on TV? We work with the biggest names in showbiz – so wonder no more.
If our coverage lands your story on the national agenda, there’s a great chance that TV networks will invite you onto their shows.
Daytime TV and news channels attract a totally different audience to the people who consume their news online or in print, and it’s a great chance to tell your story on a different platform.
You also get to experience the glitz and glamour of a studio, complete with lights, camera and action. You can even tell your story via Skype from your front room if you don’t fancy the fuss.
Our clients’ stories, photos and videos have featured on Fox News, TMZ, NBC, ABC, CNN, the Today Show, The Late Late Show, RightThisMinute and many more.
We also work with news and talk shows around the world, including BBC News, This Morning and Good Morning Britain in the UK, RTL in Germany, 9News in Australia and so on.
Tip 5: Free publicity for a business
When it comes to getting the word out about your business, many people think of the usual PR strategies. Press releases, events, setting up a presence on social media sites…all of these are useful strategies that lots of businesses – including Talk to the Press! – use to get publicity.
However, when it comes to taking your business’ interesting story direct to the national press, Talk to the Press cannot be surpassed. Find out how you can gain free publicity for your business here.
Tip 6: How to be famous
Do you dream of seeing your name in lights? Strutting down red carpets, rubbing shoulders with celebs and drinking martinis on rooftop bars in Manhattan?
We can’t promise you that, but we can help you make a name for yourself.
Press coverage is the best way to work your way into the limelight, whether you’re an incredible singer, fitness instructor to the stars, sought-after plastic surgeon, expert hypnotist, cutting edge criminologist or celebrity nutritionist.
Maybe you have a star client who is willing to share their experience with the media to benefit your business and boost their name, or perhaps you are working on a ground-breaking project or theory that will stun the world.
Get in touch to see how we can secure you that all-important coverage.
If you would like more information, here’s some handy hints and useful websites for you to check out.
Tip 7: How to be a journalist
Lots of people contact us asking us how they can land a job as a journalist.
Although there is no easy answer, but most people undertake a NCTJ journalism qualification and then earn their stripes at one of the major press agencies (such as SWNS – sellusyourstory.com, FamousFeatures.co.uk and of course Talk to the Press) or local/regional newspaper, before moving onto a national newspaper or magazine.
Of course there are many, many other routes into journalism (for the latest journalism jobs why not check out http://www.sellusyourstory.com/sellusyourstory-media-jobs/).
If you want to work at home as a freelance writer or story finder, or you are already a freelance writer specializing in real life stories and news, you should subscribe to Case Study Link. The service costs £10 per month and lets you know which people at the magazines, newspapers and television companies are commissioning, and what they are looking for right now. www.casestudylink.co.uk
Tip 8: Campaign for a cause
Charities up and down the country invest lots of time and effort trying to get coverage of their work and raise awareness of key issues in our society. Talk to the Press regularly helps charities place case studies in national newspapers and women’s magazines, securing fees for the people telling their stories and securing valuable publicity for the charity concerned.
Read more about campaigning for a cause through the press here.
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