Bill Achola — July 13, 2017 — July 13, 2017
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When you hear about getting featured on CNN, you’d probably think it’s a big deal. After all, it’s one of the most renowned television news channels not only in the United States, but also throughout the world.
Based on that then, you’re not wrong about that thought. In fact, a lot of startups nowadays should consider aiming to get featured on CNN.
There is an article published in WordStream by Ken Lyons about how they garnered leads and traffic in various social networking sites and online publications through link baiting their original infographics. And CNN took notice of it.
Getting featured on CNN is an important feat for Wordstream because they first had to drive loads of traffic with their infographics through Digg, Reddit, and Stumbleupon.
Since it was difficult enough to make it to the front page in these websites, what more in a huge and famous page like that of CNN? The most important factor, however, was the content of their infographics.
The reason why it’s not easy even for professionals to get featured on CNN is the demand for fresh and unique ideas backed up by research.
Wordstream was able to get a link from CNN because their content stood out. Instead of reusing old topics and answering age-old questions like “what is the average number of cats per household in Washington DC”, they aimed to showcase a different perspective on the topic – “what are the possible solutions in addressing the issue on feline AIDS?” The content of their infographics – Google Flops and Internet Privacy – was founded on a fresh angle on the internet world, along with a solid research and analysis on their relevance.
Based on that story, here are two (2) main reasons why startups should aim to get featured on CNN.
1. The pressure of competing isn’t that hard on you yet compared to professionals
While you’re not yet the center of attention in the business world, you can keep trying to get yourself linked to various social networking sites and online publications.
Although there is a great chance that you’ll be trampled on by the traffic driven by bigger and more popular companies, you as a startup have a longer waiting time, and as long as you keep promoting yourself, it will eventually reach a wider audience.
Late bloomers are called late bloomers for a reason. Wordstream also experienced that kind of “failure” when their Google Flops infographic was launched.
It didn’t receive much hype compared to the Internet Privacy infographic. That’s probably because it didn’t initially click with the audience of Digg and Reddit. But when they promoted it again in Stumbleupon, the link clicks spread like wildfire.
2. Getting a link from CNN adds to your credibility as a startup
While you’re still a startup, getting a feature on CNN should be part of your specific goals and objectives. It may sound like a daunting task or an impossible goal to achieve in the long run due to CNN’s reputation as one of the leading news networks and publications in the world.
But if ever you do get the chance to receive a link from them, which in itself can be a great addition to your updated resume.
For the record, Wordstream and their infographics aren’t the only startups that got featured on CNN. CNN also recognizes a lot of other startups that may sound like flops at first, but because of their stories similar to what Wordstream went through, they were able to drive loads of traffic without them even realizing it. It can happen to you as well.
Hope this helps.
Got any question?
Let me know in the comment section below.
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