Five Tips for Writing Corporate Profiles

If you've ever wanted to break into local magazine and newspaper markets, writing corporate profiles might be your best opportunity. Corporate profiles flourish in local publications because the people most interested in these companies are those who live nearby. It doesn't have to be a multinational corporation or on the Forbes 100 list, but it should be an up-and-coming corporation in an interesting industry.

1- Find an Interesting Twist

Writing corporate profiles takes superior writing skills because you must take a generally dry topic and turn it into something sensational. Publishing a financial forecast for a corporation isn't going to get it done; you have to explain to your readers why they should take an interest in this specific company. Often, this means talking about an interesting product or service that is destined to impact society in either a positive or negative way.

2- Interview C-Level Executives

It is imperative that you include at least one important quote when writing corporate profiles. Usually this means interviewing a C-Level executive, such as the CEO or CFO. Getting this interview might require some doing, as businessmen are often wary of talking to the press, but you can pitch it like a human interest story rather than like an expose.

3- Include a Picture

You will be thousands of times more likely to interest an editor -- not to mention a reader -- if you include at least one photo after writing your corporate profile. Sometimes, an image of the corporate headquarters is appropriate, but you might want a more personal tone. You can use a headshot of the President or CEO or you can ask for a tour of headquarters in order to get a few candid shots.

4- Mention New Information

If you're writing a corporate profile about a corporation no one has ever heard of, this might not be too difficult. If, however, you are writing a corporate profile of Exxon, you're going to have to dig a little deeper. Reiterating the same information one could find through any publication isn't going to cut it. You need new information, particularly about new products or services that haven't hit the market yet.

5- Maintain Journalistic Ethics

It's important that you be careful when you write corporate profiles because, to a business, image is everything. If you print information that you cannot factually substantiate, you could be opening yourself to a lawsuit. Stick to the facts for which you have proof and avoid writing a corporate profile that is going to have a negative impact on the corporation.