You could dig deep into your pockets and subscribe to a list. They’re available fromcompanies such as Bacon’s, Cision, MediaListsOnline and Vocus. But, this book centers
around low and no cost techniques, so we’re not going to go there.
One simple way to jump-start your list building efforts is a visit to your local book-
seller and the research section of your local Library. Peruse the titles in the magazine and
newspaper racks at the book store. Grab a few and cuppa java. Jot down the publication
name, contact info for key editors and writers and the type of news and content they print.
At the Library, get chummy with the Research Librarian, who can become one of your
best list-building friends. They can point you to a variety of sources such as the Standard
Rate & Data (SRDS). The SRDS is a group of books (and online resource) media buyers
use to find publications and media to place their clients’ ads. But, you can use it to iden-
tify publications in your niche and gather contact info, type of content and more. Gale Di-
rectory of Publications and Broadcast Media is also available at most larger Libraries.
Those are a couple of the brick and mortar methods. Since you’re a Twenty First Cen-
tury kind of person, you’re probably interested in using that box called a computer to find
media sources online. A tablet works well, too. No problem.
After you’ve identified some publications where you’d be pleased as punch to see
your name in print, fire up the ‘ole browser, swing over to their sites and nab a copy of
their media kits. A media kit, in days gone by, was a usually a splashy pocket folder or 3-
D thingie (box or similar deal) packed with information designed to convince an adver-
tiser to buy space in the publication. Media kits carry detailed info about the publication’s
topic(s), ad space pricing, production specs, reader demographic data (a handy bit for
you) and, usually, an editorial calendar along with key personnel contact info.