The traditional news industry business has been in a state of chaos for quite some time with the explosion of digital content, social media and blogs. We no longer need to wait for a news reporter to tell us the story. We now all have the ability to be story tellers and news purveyors. The hard part is leveraging that opportunity strategically and effectively, and in a way that is meaningful for our targeted audiences.

How is Meteor Watch Day on June 30 good for business? Seems like something that may pass you by (pun intended), but if you did marketing for a company that manufactures telescopes, binoculars or photography supplies, these are some stellar (ha!) marketing opportunities. Even Pluto Demoted Day (Aug.24) could be marketing-maximized by apps that help consumers view the night sky, or by travel destinations that are in regions known for night-sky viewing. (I’m looking at you, Death Valley!)

The options for media coverage can be confusing. This is especially true when it comes to press releases and MAT releases. A common question is “which is best?” It’s actually not a matter of one being better than the other. Both are great marketing tools but they serve different purposes.

With the explosion of digital content, the news business has been in a state of chaos for quite some time. Entrepreneurs understand – and profit from – the adage “in the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.” Out of the chaos of the news business comes an opportunity for entrepreneurs to gain visibility and build awareness for their business and startups: content syndication.