People often ask how I’ve done it. How have I been featured in publications from the Wall Street Journal to Oprah’s “O” Magazine, as well as hundreds of radio and TV shows? The answer is promoting yourself as an expert using one of five standout-from-the-crowd approaches.

Five Ways to Get Media Interviews and Mentions

1. Quote startling statistics.

The fact that women have been starting businesses at twice the rate of men has been a real attention getter, so I’ve led with that for several years. Remember, just because information is common to you and others in your circle does not mean that the media is aware of it. Learn some startling statistics about your industry and use them to attract media attention.

2. Lead with intriguing questions.

“Why do fewer than 2% of women business owners generate over a million dollars in revenue?” OR, you could flip that and say, “Why are 98% of women business owners unable to cross over the $1MM mark?” Following that lead, I discuss The Woman’s Advantage Program™ that I’ve developed to help women cross over that mark.

3. Reference pop culture. 

How is your product/service/business like Lady Gaga? Or “The Hunger Games”? Or Dick Clark. The more current and hot your comparison, the more likely you’ll get a pick-up. Look at yesterday’s news and create an analogy between your offering and a hot news item.

4. Lead with absolutes.

Almost to the point of being arrogant. Use “never, must, always…”

5. Attack a current problem.

I often attack high unemployment by discussing how small business owners—women in particular—are creating jobs by growing their businesses. So I might use a lead-in like “Women are rescuing the US economy.”