Some financial planners think that they shouldn't share their top tips with the media.

I can see some validity in thinking this way. After all, the media is going to deliver these tips to the public at practically no charge. Then all those people who might have been paying customers won't have any use for their services.

But there's two things wrong with this:

First of all, it's true that most people are likely to use your information and never contact you. Then again, most people aren't likely to use a financial planner. The people you want to reach are that fraction that are looking, perhaps even subconsciously, for help with their investments. When they see your name in the paper, regardless of the information it is connected to, they will think about calling you.

Second, you aren't the only financial planner looking for publicity. And unless your wisdom far exceeds that of any other financial planner in the world, you'd better believe that your competitors will be offering practically the same information to the media. In the end, not only is the information disseminated after all, but you lose the chance to take credit for it.

Part of being a good media resource is delivering lots of good information. So share everything you've got. Hold back nothing. With journalists, "saving the good stuff" for paying customers is a certain ticket to becoming a media fiasco.

Ned Steele works with people in professional services who want to build their practice and accelerate their growth. The president of Ned Steele's MediaImpact, he is the author of 102 Publicity Tips To Grow a Business or Practice. To learn more visit http://www.MediaImpact.biz or call 212-243-8383.