Journalists use all kinds of interesting tools to research and write their stories. Smart Publicity Hounds should be curious enough to know what they are. Who knows? You might even be able to use some of them when you’re writing your own articles, or crafting a pitch. Check out the Journalist’s Toolbox, a helpful website… Read More
Business reporters: 30 under 30 to watch
If you’re pitching business news, you probably know lots of the big-name journalists who work for top-tier publications like the Wall Street Journal and Forbes. You may not be familiar, however, with some of the up-and-coming writers who are really making a name for themselves in business journalism. I harp constantly about researching journalists before you… Read More
Religion in the workplace a trend story worth pitching
The Spring issue of The Public Relations Strategist, published by the Public Relations Society of America, has a fascinating cover story about the faith-at-work movement. It’s titled “The merger of faith and work: Think religion and work are as separate as church and state? Not anymore.” Across America, it says, there’s a growing trend to… Read More
Nursing homes, sponsor a talent contest
My ears perked up last week when my local TV station aired a story about the Ms. Missouri Nursing Home Contest. I smiled when I saw the video of one of the frail contestants, in great “American Ido”l tradition, crooning “It Had to be You” into the microphone. I’m foggy on the details, but I… Read More
Stem cell research book needs publicity ideas
Yvonne Perry of Nashville, Tennessee writes: “I am publishing my book ‘Right to Recover: Winning the Political and Religious Wars over Stem Cell Research in America’ through Nightengale Press. The publication date is October 2007. “I and need some help determining who my target market is and some tips on how I might best reach… Read More
“I Love My Library” Video Contest offers $10,000 prize
If you work, read or do anything else at a library you love, or your kids do, generate publicity for the library and a big, fat cash prize by entering and winning the “I Love My Library” contest. It’s sponsored by Thomson Gale, the company that publishes reference materials for libraries. Whether it’s your favorite neighborhood library, you… Read More
Special event publicity: Try for a Guinness World Record
If you’re planning a special event, generate publicity by staging a fun publicity stunt, and try to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. Philadelphia is really turning up the heat for its annual Fiesta on the Parkway, part of the Sunoco Welcome America! Independence Day festivities on July 3. They will assemble thousands of salsa… Read More
Animal whisperer, here’s how to get onto radio
Sandra Larson of Elm, Texas writes: “I’m very interested in hosting a radio show as an animal communicator. On the air, I would do live readings for your audiences’ favorite furry friends. Also, we could take the on-air audience on soul journeys which are guided meditations. After the meditation, if time permitted, we could share… Read More
Pitch freelancers to increase your publicity hits
Start forming relationships with freelance writers if you want publicity. Many of them write articles for a variety of publications, which increases your chances for publicity. If they interview you for one article, they might rely on your expertise for another article for a different publication. Stacy DeBroff, also known as The Mommy Expert, got a nice spike… Read More
Copyrighting press releases on ’10 dumb things’ list
A copyright symbol conveys the message “if you copy this without attribution you’re in big trouble.” So why would a PR person put a copyright symbol on a press release? Enough of them must because it turned up as one “10 dumb things that smart marketers do,” a helpful list written by freelance writer and marketing pro Joy Jennings and posted at… Read More