My daily newspaper, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, is among “the incredible shrinking newspapers” I wrote about a few weeks ago. I don’t know if it has laid off staff like other big newspapers throughout the U.S., but the page width is slimmer than it used to be. If your newspaper is also shrinking, coverage of the arts… Read More
Do Business in Your Bathrobe Day Feb. 12
If you’re one of those entrepreneurs who’s luck enough to have a home office, and you enjoy the luxury of doing business in your bathrobe, generate a little publicity. Kristie Tamsevicius, at left, founder of Webmomz.com, has chiristened Monday, Feb. 12, has Do Business in Your Bathrobe Day. “Bathrobe Day” has generated publicity for her and other entrepreneurs in… Read More
Google Alerts help you find influential bloggers
Every morning, I spend about an hour finding bloggers who wrote about the topic of press releases—one of the biggest pain points for Publicity Hounds—and I post comments to their blogs. It’s a wonderful way to let them—and their readers—know who I am. Here’s how I do it. Several months ago, I created a Google Alert for “press… Read More
‘Procreation Vacation’ helps writer procreate, not just write
One of the best ways to attract media attention for your product, service, cause or issue is to invite journalists to actually experience your story, not just report it. That’s what PR firm Quinn & Co. did when trying to generate publicity for its client, Starwood Hotels and resorts worldwide. The firm discovered that the locals in the… Read More
Press releases: How to make old news sound new
I just got a call from a Publicity Hound who asked how to make old news sound new. He’s writing a press release stating that his state bar association drafted a resolution to support something that somebody else did. But they passed it on Monday. And today is Thursday. He might not have the press release done until… Read More
AP to carry bloggers’ coverage of Libby trial
If you still aren’t convinced that bloggers are influential, or that they aren’t very well-respected, listen up. The Associated Press is partnering with the Media Bloggers Association to distribute its members’ coverage of the trial of Lewis “Scooter” Libby, former chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, to the news organization’s websites. The bloggers group will… Read More
Pitching tip: Join the conversation first
Shel Israel, co-author of the blockbuster Naked Conversations, has helpful advice for PR people who are tempted to contact a journalist or blogger and launch into a pitch about their client: “I think you need to stop pitching and start becoming part of the conversation relevant to your market and your client. The blogosphere is becoming more relevant to… Read More
Voiceover talent needs ideas to promote himself
Ginger Bell of Tyler, Texas writes: “After spending 20 years in radio, my husband launched his own production studio five years ago. With a ‘voice like God’ and a smooth delivery, he has stayed fairly busy creating commercials for local radio and television production departments and providing voiceovers for commercial shoots. He even has acquired accounts from… Read More
NFL playoff games a chance to generate publicity
Even if you’re not a football fan, you might be able to generate publicity from today’s two big NFL playoff games. The Chicago Bears host the New Orleans Saints in Soldier Field for the NFC championship, and the New England Patriots travel to Indianapolis for the AFC title. Publicity Hound Jennifer Spies of New Philadelphia, Ohio, tipped me… Read More
EzineArticles.com adds 8 new categories
EzineArticles.com, the granddaddy of article directory websites, has just issued a call for articles in 8 new categories: Real Estate Law Timeshares Sleep & Snoring Ergonomics Pain Management Financial Aid Psychic Paranormal If you’re an author, speaker or expert on any of those topics, or hundreds of others, start submitting your articles. During a teleseminar… Read More