Pitching your products to a niche... how to be in the right place at the right time?

[isaac663]

Hi guys.

We make custom diary products which can start/ end anytime, and so we feel they would go down really well in 'Back to School' type posts this year.  (Website here)

I've been looking for examples of 'Back to School' content, but with it being retrospective there is no guarantee a publisher would do a similar thing again this year.

My question is this: What are the best ways to find our about upcoming** content** that relates to a specific niche? (In this case Academic year Planner products)

What tools, research methodologies, platforms, websites would be useful?

In other words, how do we 'get in the right place at the right time'... in front of people 'warm' to the idea in the first place?

I appreciate this is a very broad question (albeit a in a very specific context)... but any insight/ advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hope that all makes sense.

[badgergravling]

Some quick thoughts, based on a career mixing marketing with writing for various niche publications....

Generally most publications which ran something around Back to School content will be either publishing a new version or updating it. It's also worth making a note of the author, as freelancers will often shop similar articles around a number of sites, and will be known for certain niches.

Traditional print/online publications quite often have a features calendar which they make available on request, and sometimes publish online to help suppliers/advertisers etc plan ahead.

It's also worth using online tools for journalists like HARO (Help a Reporter Out), and responding to requests for Back to School related content.

Making sure you're easily findable when journalists are looking to quickly grab some examples to finish the article they have to submit in 30 minutes

[isaac663]

Hi Dan.  Sorry for my delayed reply.

Thank you so much for your detailed response.  That is really helpful!  May I pick your brain for just a couple of clarifications?

'Traditional print/online publications quite often have a features calendar which they make available on request.'  Do you mean simply get in touch with these publications and request their features calendar?  See if our product would fit?

'Making sure you're easily findable when journalists are looking to quickly grab some examples to finish the article they have to submit in 30 minutes'  I totally agree, we've seen this work using Pressloft Jouno requests, and we do use HARO (although it's rarely useful for our products)... is there any other things you can suggest?

Isaac.

[badgergravling]

Hi,

The answer to the first question is yes - many publications, including niche titles will have a features calendar available, or will regularly email enquiring if anyone has products, news or can help with features...

Second question? In addition to HARO and Pressloft, I'd look at the big PR lists etc. It does mean dealing with some spam requests, but can be worth it if you have the time.