Lisa Cupolo of Ballston Spa, New York writes:
“I handle public relations and marketing for Northwoods Health System, four rehabilitation and nursing home facilities that offer pediatric through geriatric care.
“I’m looking for story ideas that I can pitch to the local business journal. The newspaper only focuses on hard business stories as opposed to human interest stories. For example, the health reporter will write stories related to how health facilities, such as hospitals, are surviving within the trying times of the health care industry.
“I also see several articles published in this particular publication regarding our competitors. Readers are decision makers as far as the health care needs of their families. That’s why we’re targeting the business journal.”
Lisa, I feel a story on how ‘green’ you are would be timely. Use angles like ways you are energy efficient while transporting patients, using more efficient light bulbs, do you use biodegradable plates & napkins…environmentally friendly detergents……where do you buy these things?
Are you buying locally, supporting local businesses to supply your kitchen or growing any of your own food? Where are your tomatoes from?
Hi Lisa,
I think there are a million angles for you (hmm – I may need to eat some chocolate to think of more!)
1) Living Wills – what are the costs behind living wills and what are the steps necessary to implement them?
2)Re:rehab and the importance of it ie/ Will A Broken Leg Break Your Business?
3) Even hard core business reporters will still spin other ideas. For example – are any of the doctors, nurses etc involved in Doctors Without Borders or other similar non-profits?
4) I agree with the “green component” – there is a book called The 100 Mile Diet that recently came out – you could pitch an idea about The 100 Mile Hospital Meal
5)What are the upcoming trends in health? A great resource is http://www.trendwatching.com
6) New technologies/medicines that will reduce the length of time in the hospital as well as recovery time.
7) When do most accidents happen? Check with your local Worker’s Compensation Board (I’m based in Canada) as they can identify the accidents and afflictions that occur on the job.
Good luck!
Kim
http://www.salesdivas.com
I’m a former editor of The Business Journal in Milwaukee, so you came to the right place! Here are some of my ideas:
–How do you find and keep good employees? Business journals frequently write about recruitment and retention.
–How are your nursing homes using technology?
–You said you see many articles about your competitors. When you do, immediately write a letter to the editor commenting on the article. Don’t berate them for not contacting you. Instead, offer insight on the story, or something that the reporter didn’t mention.
–Attend the events the newspaper is sponsoring. Get to know reporters and editors and ask them “What do you see as the biggest issues in health care this year?” If their answer fits in with a story you can contribute to, let them know.
–See “How to Use Business Journals to Tell Your Story” at http://tinyurl.com/q4rf7. Paul Furiga, a former business journal editor, has dozens more ideas.
How about publisizing your new “Wii-hab” physical therapy program that inregrates Nintendo’s Wii Fitness game into a new rehab program for kids.
From personal experience I know rehab can be very painful so how about introducing us to the local
“Rehab Comic” at your site. He/She provides comic relief to help patients get through the pain.
Can you offer special rehab programs for people with skateboard injuries, carpal tunnel from text messaging, or bike/scooter injuries?
(Maybe tie in that last one with how you are seeing more of these injuries from bikes/scooters because more people are switching from cars to other types of alternative transportation.)