Sponsor a contest on whatever it is you’re promoting, and let the amateur videographers over at YouTube participate. That’s what the nonprofit SmartPower has done. Its national non-profit marketing campaign, which promotes the use of clean renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar and water, is sponsoring a contest at YouTube.com for the most creative… Read More
Book marketing: Pitch high-traffic, niched websites
Here’s a great success story on how authors can get exposure at high-traffic websites by writing a regular column. Mike Archer of Firebomber Publications emailed it to me and I’m reprinting it here. My ‘Firebombers Incorporated’ novels relate the adventures (and misadventures) of a high-tech wildland firefighting outfit that employs a high percentage of ex-military personnel.… Read More
‘The Secret’ offers publicity opportunities galore
You’ve heard of the “The Secret,” haven’t you? It’s the best-selling hardcover book and DVD that tells people how to achieve what they want from their relationships, jobs, finances and future through positive thinking, gratitude for what they have, and envisioning what they want. And Jim Labadie, who coaches personal trainers, has a terrific idea on… Read More
L.A. Times to discontinue book review section
More bad news for authors and publishers who want book reviews in top-tier newspapers. The Wall Street Journal says that sometime this spring, the Los Angeles Times will announce that it’s folding its highly esteemed Sunday book review section, shown at left, into a new section that will combine books with opinion pieces. That leaves only five separate… Read More
Great Dane Rescue League needs publicity tips
Joan Schramm of Annapolis, Maryland writes: “I volunteer with the Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League and recently took over as the publicity coordinator for Maryland/D.C. “I’d like some new ideas for getting the word out about our monthly Meet and Greet events (where we set up at local pet stores and bring some of our dogs… Read More
Doing TV interviews? Don’t overuse the reporter’s name
The best sales people address a person by name when trying to sell them something. But if a TV reporter is interviewing you, don’t overdo it. That’s the advice from Michigan TV reporter Shawne Duperon. “During a live interview, if you keep repeating the reporter or anchor’s name, it can sound and look really weird.… Read More
Flower magazine to debut March 15
Flower, the first magazine written for flower enthusiasts and novice and professional floral designers, will hit the newsstands on March 15. The quarterly publication will feature beautiful photography and articles on topics like learning how to hand-tie a simple bouquet, pick the perfect container, or take a garden tour across the southeast. It will include an events calendar featuring lectures, flower shows,… Read More
Wall Street Journal editor explains how to get into the paper
If you want the Wall Street Journal to write about your company, one of the most important things to know is that the paper doesn’t feature businesses just for the sake of writing about companies. “Your pitch should have a news hook or some creative idea behind it,” says Richard Turner, marketing and media editor for… Read More
Small-biz owners needed for American Chronicle article
Robert Smith is looking for small business owners with revenues of more than $500,000 a year for an article he’s writing for American Chronicle, an online magazine for national, international, state, local, entertainment, sports and government news. He needs seven entrepreneurs to profile. You must be in business for at least two years. If you… Read More
Writer of ghoulish Anna Nicole press release responds to criticism
Because this is a business blog, I have to be careful to mind my manners and not say anything that I wouldn’t say in the executive suite of the same CEO who might be reading what I write here. I just learned another lesson about manners and good business. Respond thoughtfully and professionally when other bloggers or… Read More