All businesses need publicity, and coverage in a newspaper – even if it is a local free sheet – is good PR if it is a good news story.

The same goes for the trade press. Coverage in a journal which is read by your peers enhances your reputation just as strongly and helps get you noticed as an authority in your sector.

Here are Word Worker’s tips for getting coverage in your trade press.

1. Investigate the journals and magazines which are out there – whether you are in construction or catering, bookkeeping or beekeeping there is bound to be something for you. You are probably in the habit of reading these already, so you will be familiar with the issues which affect your sector. Each publication will have its own sections, such as news, features, letters, maybe even restaurant reviews. Try to submit something which will fit nicely into one of those sections.

2. Try to get hold of the features editor, and see if they will send you a forward features list. Editors tend to work months ahead and know what is coming up in each edition, so you may have a good story or angle to fit in with an upcoming item

3. Build a relationship with journalists you speak to. Keep in touch, send in regular stories and ideas, be useful (but not a pain) and sooner or later your perseverance should pay off and you will get some publicity.

4. Always submit a photo with your story. It makes the copy come alive and gives you the chance to grab a bit more editorial space. Try to ensure they are good quality, high resolution where possible, so they are more likely to be used by the glossy mags.

5. Finally, make sure you know when the magazines' monthly deadlines are. Don’t send off a great piece of copy for the Easter edition only to find the editorial team are already on to summer.