The final episode of “The Sopranos” airs a week from Sunday on HBO, and smart Publicity Hounds aren’t wasting time wondering if Tony Soprano will flip—or get whacked. Instead, they’re figuring out ways to generate publicity by piggybacking onto this story. The Washington Post called the show, wrapping up its sixth season, “the television landmark that leaves other landmarks in… Read More
Great lobbies, receptionists worth bragging about
Does the receptionist at your company make visitors feel welcome by offering a bowl of M&Ms? Or a dry towel for people who walk in a torrential downpour from the parking lot into the lobby? Is there a TV in your reception area so visitors who have to wait can enjoy the Three Stooges on DVD? I’ve… Read More
Need a proofreader? I found a great one
I write so much copy, that I could keep a proofreader busy 24 hours a day. I seldom use proofreaders. But I found one who did a fabulous job reviewing my sales page for Publicity Hound University, my new training course for assistants, virtual assistants and summer interns. She’s Philippa Jarecki, at left, of AwaywithWords.ca, and… Read More
Going green? Let everyone know
If your company is switching from paper to ceramic coffee cups, from paper to cloth napkins in the cafeteria, recycling almost everything, or doing anything else in the category of “going green,” be sure to spread the word. Journalists, in particular, love to jump on almost any story about saving the environment. You can pitch to business… Read More
Copywriters: How to attract high-paying clients
I’m a student of direct-marketing sales copy, and I’ve been studying everything I can get my hands on. One of my teachers is David Garfinkel, whose home study course I bought several years ago. He emailed me tonight and told me about a free audio he’s offering, in exchange for your name and email address.… Read More
Author needs help writing a sales letter
Patricia Dischler of Prairie du Sac, Wisconsin writes: “I am the author of ‘Because I Loved You: A Birthmother’s View of Open Adoption’ (Goblin Fern Press, 2006). This book is part memoir, part guidance/advice. I share the story of placing my son for adoption in 1985. “I have been focusing on marketing directly to adoption… Read More
Costco Connection covers books, authors
Thanks to book marketing guru John Kremer for reminding authors that Costco Connection, the monthly magazine published by the giant warehouse club exclusively for its members, can be a great publicity vehicle for authors. In the current issue of John’s ezine, he lists contact information for about a dozen editors at the magazine, most of… Read More
Bad restaurant review? 2 ways to recuperate
Linda Baldwin, associate publisher of Isthmus, the alternative weekly in Madison, Wisconsin, wrote to tell me she liked the advice I gave to restaurants that get bad reviews. In short, don’t complain to the newspaper that the reviewer visited on the night two people called in sick. And don’t threaten to pull your advertising because… Read More
Media interviews: Balance of power has shifted to sources
If you’re involved in a news story and you’re afraid the media will misrepresent you, slant the news, or write it according to their own agenda, don’t refuse comment, thinking they’ll just go away and leave you alone. As I’ve said so many times before, refusing an interview is akin to screaming “we’re guilty,” even if… Read More
Cross-promote your blog and ezine
One of the biggest mistakes made by Publicity Hounds who blog and also publish an ezine is failing to cross-promote from one to the other. For example, in this blog, there’s a sign-up box for my ezine, “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” just below my photo over on the right side. Many of you… Read More