I’m addicted to “The Next Food Network Star,” and I’m thrilled that it’s returning for another season in ’08. Foodies who want their own TV show should be thrilled, too, because now’s your chance. But do you have what it takes? The network is looking for people with cooking know-how, either self-taught or professionally trained or… Read More
Pitching top-tier editors? Let them critique your pitch
Aching to get into the New York Times, Time magazine, Forbes or People magazine? The Harvard Business Review? USA Today? Or Inc.? The Expertizing Forum, hosted by publicity expert Fern Reiss, one of my favorite Publicity Hounds, connects you with journalists writing for the most important publications in America. Each week for five months, you submit a… Read More
Website listing free NYC rehearsal space needs publicity help
Emily Bowles of New York, New York writes: “I work for a small New York City-based nonprofit that provides free website resources to performing artists (musicians, dancers, choreographers, producers/directors, actors, etc.) seeking rehearsal and performance spaces in NYC. “Our websites at NYCMusicSpaces.org , NYCDanceSpaces.org and NYCTheatreSpaces.org allow performing artists to search for spaces that match their space and… Read More
Denver Business Journal: Who’s oblivious?
I used to work in the newspaper industry, and I’ll admit that some of the criticism that journalists are arrogant and holier-than-thou is justified. Take, for example, the smart-aleck news brief that appeard on Page 3 of the July 6 issue of the Denver Business Journal. The headline read “Another episode: Bad Press Release Theater.” “Don’t imply that… Read More
Commenting at blogs can help journalists find you
When personal assistant Christie Gaderson of Priorities Concierge in Austin, Texas read my tip about how to set up a Google Alert to learn which bloggers are writing about her topic, she did as a I instructed. She set up an alert for “personal assistant” and immediately started receiving daily email reminders from Google about which articles… Read More
Thank-you notes make a lasting impression
It’s a publicity tool that’s as old as dirt, so I was pleased to see it mentioned in a case study written by Marketing Sherpa, about how a successful Publicity Hound reaches out to bloggers and uses a variety of online marketing strategies to sell her books. It’s a handwritten thank-you note, and it never goes out of style. You should be… Read More
Predict end of Harry Potter series
Here’s a great publicity idea for book clubs, libraries, book stores, author groups or any organization that relates in any way to books or reading. Offer predictions on how you think “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” will end. It’s the last book in the record-breaking series by author J.K. Rowling. The article asks whether… Read More
Gift store owner in Antioch, Calif. needs promotion ideas
Ted Fuller of Lafayette, California writes: “My friend has a gift store in the downtown area of Antioch, an older suburban city in California. At night, nearly all the shops shut down and the streets are almost deserted. “She’s tried without success to stir up some action with the merchants association. After a brief period of… Read More
Book Tour connects authors with audiences
If you’re an author who does book tours or a speaker who’s looking for yet another way to spread the word about your speaking engagements, check out Book Tour, a free online service that connects authors with their audiences. Authors can create a profile so fans never again miss your events and media appearances. Love books?… Read More
Astrologers, fortune-tellers: Piggyback onto the celebs
Few people have a harder job getting publicity than astrologers, fortune tellers and others of their ilk. The media are naturally suspicious—except when their predictions or comments tie into a hot, timely topic. Thanks to radio publicity expert Wayne Kelly for tipping us off to this great and super short press release written by Steve… Read More