PUBLIC RELATIONS TIPS — TIP NO. 19:

Whether you’re pitching a story idea to a journalist or crafting your next news release, one way to increase your chances for media coverage success is to think visually.

What I mean by “think visually” is to consider what artwork could be used with your story, whether that’s

• still photography,
• video footage or
• some form of 2-D graphic (like a pie chart).

Check out this photo to see what a couple of Utah-based cyclists did not too long ago to help communicate the idea that bicyclists and cars need to share the road.

In concept, this public relations idea was quite simple, and by donning inflatable sumo wrestler suits on Halloween Day and riding along major thoroughfares on their road bikes throughout the Salt Lake area they were able to attract significant visibility for their cause.

As previously covered on TheBettyFactor.com in November 2007, these cyclists generated stories in both the Deseret News (one of the largest newspapers in Utah) and on the local Fox television affiliate (Fox 13 KSTU).

All because a couple of guys put their heads together and came up with a very visual way to help communicate their message.

So . . . think visually to maximize your media coverage success.