Brick-and-mortar retailers refer to the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday, the official start of the Christmas shopping season. Whatever you call it, you’ve got opportunities galore to tie your product or service to it. Think trends. Here are some ideas to get you started: —Credit counselors should remind us about how credit card companies… Read More
How to promote an MRI service
Publicity Hound Hillary Davis asks: “I would like to help get publicity for my friend who has an MRI (Xray) business. But the only way publicity would work is if it is targeted specifically to doctors, since it is doctors that send patients into his MRI office. I’d be grateful for any ideas from your… Read More
Share your experiences on Voice America Network
Several Publicity Hounds have asked my opinion on Voice America Network, the single largest producer of Internet talk radio programming in the world, with more than 100 hosts who broadcast over three branded networks (health, business and VoiceAmerica variety). One person in my mentor program was “offered” a $5,000 package to have his own show.… Read More
Research reporters with a “Reporter of the Month” club
If you don’t have a big PR budget, you’ll love this idea. In fact, it’s so cool, I wish I had thought of it myself. It’s called the “Reporter of the Month Club” and Dean Rotbart, a former Wall Street Journal columnist, deserves credit for suggesting it. Dean is head of the TJFR group and… Read More
How to find PR clients
It baffles me why so many PR people complain about a lack of business yet never think of offering to present a program to their local Rotary or Kiwanis Club on how to get publicity. When they grumble that they don’t have enough clients, I suggest they create an inexpensive information product on how to… Read More
How to promote a work-life balance retreat in Costa Rica
Life-work balance coach Joyce Dillon of Atlanta, Georgia writes: “I’m promoting a Costa Rica Retreat Feb. 4-12 for women who want to create the life they’ve always wanted. I’ve sent an email blast and will send a press release to the travel section of the newspaper in Atlanta. “Do your Hounds have any hot ideas… Read More
How to get your product onto QVC
Ask yourself these five questions about the product you sell. Does it: —Demonstrate well? —Solve a common problem or make life easier? —Appeal to a broad audience? —Have unique features and benefits? —Is it topical or timely? If you answered yes to every question, there’s a good chance your product is an ideal candidate for… Read More
Getting to know reporters will help you learn how to pitch reporters
When blogger Connie Bennett comes across an article on the dangers of sugar, she posts an item about it to her Sugar Shock! blog. She links to the article, then takes an extra little step that will generate publicity down the road. She emails the reporter who wrote the article and mentions that she linked… Read More
Sliding newspaper circulation makes papers less relevant
Newspaper circulation is continuing its slide, with the biggest declines in Boston, San Francisco and Atlanta. Eighteen out of the top 20 papers reported weekday circulation losses in the most recent FAS-FAX report. What does this mean for Publicity Hounds? Newspapers are becoming less relevant, and you must pay more attention to other media, namely:… Read More
Author misses a shot at book publicity
Norm Goldman, editor of SketchandTravel.com and Bookpleasures.com wrote to complain about authors who miss opportunities to promote themselves: “I just had an experience where an author, who conducts writing workshops, could not find the time (probably about less than an hour) to participate in an e-interview. “The interview would have promoted her workshops, herself and… Read More