I’ve started conducting telephone training sessions for PR firms that want a refresher course on things like press releases and pitching, as well as a look at many of the opportunities in the world of social media. They don’t have to pay my regular speaker fee. I don’t have to hassle with airports. And everybody’s… Read More
Hannah Montana, buckle your seatbelt!
Piggybacking onto celebrity news and hot movies almost guarantees publicity, especially if you see the celebs misbehaving on or off screen and you take them to task. On Monday, Consumer Reports criticized Miley Cyrus, the alter ego of Hannah Montana, and her celebrity dad, Billie Ray Cyrus, who are shown in their new movie with their seatbelts… Read More
Corporate sponsor needed to fund college ‘care package’
Patricia Hudak of Jersey City, New Jersey writes: “I am a young entrepreneur and recent college graduate. I started my company, Real World 101, to help graduating college seniors transition from college to the real world. “I’ve created an informational care package for college seniors that covers all of the topics they will face such… Read More
Reality TV shows: How to sell your idea to Hollywood
Everybody, it seems, wants their own reality TV show like American Idol, The Apprentice or Project Runway. But how do you break into the lucrative world of reality TV, whether you’ve got an idea for a multi-million-dollar series or a low-budget niche show on cable? Be in West Hollywood from 7 to 10 p.m. on Monday, March 3. That’s when Media Bistro… Read More
Pitch the Wire Services
One of the best ways to get your story into dozens, perhaps even hundreds of newspapers across the U.S.–all at the same time–is to pitch one of the wire services. The Associated Press, the world’s largest news agency, is a great place to start. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio… Read More
PR Web: Disband your Press Release Police
I’ve been a huge proponent of PRWeb, the press release distribution service, because of its great customer service and the rave reviews from publicists whose press releases get fabulous pick-up. But I don’t like what I’m hearing about the company’s Press Release Police who are hassling writers like BL Ochman, one of my favorite press release writers of all time, and award-winning publicist… Read More
Author of book for Christians needs publicity ideas
Catherine Painter of Raleigh, North Carolina writes: “My Bible study book, ‘So, You’re a Christian! Now What?’ is a 12-week study for small groups in churches, or for individuals who will work through it alone. “The book is in bookstores now and the publisher, Hensley Publishing, also sells them at their website. “I sell… Read More
Print a Reporter’s Face on Candy
Here’s another idea I suggested when I spoke on Saturday in Pittsburgh. Linda Roundtree, owner of Custom Chocolate Creations in suburban Pittsburgh, was in the audience. She can imprint someone’s photo or logo on a piece of chocolate, like the one you see at her website at http://tinyurl.com/2u8m7v On Saturday, she brought one piece of… Read More
Feed a CPA
Here’s a fun, timely publicity idea that just about anybody can steal. It’s called “Feed a CPA,” and I heard about it from Seth Hodes, marketing director for Hodes, Ulman, Pessin & Katz, a Baltimore law firm. On March 1, a local caterer hired by the firm will deliver delicious gourmet lunches wrapped in a… Read More
PR types don’t understand how consumers use media
When consumers want to buy a flat-screen TV, take a vacation to a place where they’ve never been, or see a movie at the local theater, who do they turn to for advice? Their friends, family and experts. Yet only one in four communications professionals have a word-of-mouth program in place. An article in the February… Read More