Media coverage is a huge help in building your home staging business because it helps get the word out for free to a huge audience (you could never afford to buy the same coverage), plus it reinforces your position as a home staging expert (being in the news gives you instant credibility).

Here are 3 tips to help you get the media coverage you want:

1. Include original content on your website or blog that the media will want to quote. For example, this week I heard from REALTOR® Magazine requesting permission to include some of the content from my Home Staging Glossary in an upcoming issue.

2. Learn who the reporters and editors are in your market and build a relationship with them if you can. One way to do this is with MuckRack which includes the Twitter feed of thousands of journalists. Use this tool to find out who to follow and what they’re talking about. If you’re helpful to a reporter on a deadline, you’ll get coverage.

3. Write your own introduction that includes the keywords and phrases you want to highlight. For example, last week I heard from CBS Radio who will be interviewing me next week for the Money101 show in LA. I emailed a 50 word introduction for them to read on air to ensure they get my name right and send listeners to StagingDiva.com.

> Read more tips on dealing with the media here