My friend, TV reporter Shawne Duperon, has fabulous ideas on how to get TV people interested in your story. In her ezine this week, she featured the following question from Chris Jamieson of the Washington Council for Prevention of Child Abuse & Neglect: “I work in the child abuse prevention field. Typically, these stories only hold water with the… Read More
Fact-checks with reporters help ensure accurate stories
When I read a correction in this morning’s paper, it reminded me to remind you that whenever a print reporter interviews you for a story, never ask if it’s OK to read the story before it’s printed because you’re afraid they’ll screw it up. That’s not the way the game is played, and it will label you as… Read More
Radio, TV talk shows need emergency guests
If you’ve been a guest on a TV or radio show and you’d love to make a return visit this summer, here’s a quick way to get the producer’s attention. Offer to fill in if a guest cancels or runs into travel problems. Radio and TV talk show hosts dread having to fill an entire hour… Read More
Wedding planner needs creative ideas for workshops
Marisa Menzel of Madison, Wisconsin writes: “I’m a wedding planner and have recently started hosting monthly ‘workshops’ at a local bridal shop. Each month we ask one wedding professional to come in to talk about their trade. “We tell the attendees the name of the business that the professional is from, but the main focus… Read More
Tip sheets explain how to avoid summer injuries
While everyone else was attending parades and picnics yesterday, I spent seven hours on Memorial Day cleaning out my perennial gardens. Dressed in shorts and a sleeveless shirt, I ended up with a sunburn so bad that it feels like my shoulders are on fire. Silly me for forgetting to slather on the sunscreen. I’ll bet… Read More
Byline Writers’ Desk Calendar needs contributors
The Byline Writers’ Desk Calendar is looking for contributors for its 2008 calendar. If you’re a writer who has been paid for your work, you’re eligible to submit an entry. All genres and disciplines are welcome. See the submission guidelines. Thanks to Publicity Hound Roberta Beach Jacobson for this tip.
Golf stories about caddies, dads, granddads wanted for golf book
BlueStreak Publishing, which recently published the book, “Lifelong Looper–The Story of a Caddie Legend” by Cindy O’Krepki, is compiling short, heartwarming stories about golf, caddies, fathers or grandfathers for future books and is especially interested in ordinary people doing extraordinary things. Stories should be non-fiction, from 300-1,200 words. You may submit more than one story.… Read More
How to write a bio: Make it compelling, fun and personal
Lots of Publicity Hounds spend far too much time crafting the perfect pitch and ignoring a marketing tool that can get them in front of journalists: their bio. At Publishers Marketing Association University in Washington, D.C., last week, I cringed when I heard national correspondent Dan Raviv of CBS Radio talk about what he looks for when someone… Read More
OverTime magazine wants products for gift guide
OverTime (OT) Magazine, the leading business and lifestyle guide for professional athletes, is looking for product pitches for its annual “Holiday Hot List,” which reveals what athletes will be giving and receiving this holiday season. The gifts on the OT Holiday Hot List range from the affordable, to the elite and customizable, and include 10-12… Read More
Pop Star! magazine wants gift items for girls 10-16
If you’re trying to get your product or service in front of girls age 10-16, try pitching to the monthly POP STAR! magazine, with a circulation of 250,000. The Gift List, a subscription-based service that provides contact info for print and broadcast media outlets that are planning gift sections or features, says POP STAR! is slooking for story… Read More