A frustrated Publicity Hound wrote to me recently, asking how she can write an interesting bio, even if she doesn’t have any “newsworthy” accomplishments. “How can you write a bio when you don’t have an MBA, have never received any awards, and haven’t appeared on TV or radio or in magazines?” she asks. Bios or… Read More
Hot ideas will help promote Cold War museum
Publicity Hounds come out of their bunkers to help Marion Grobb Finkelstein of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Marion asked for ideas on how to promote a local museum called the “Diefenbunker.” It’s an underground facility built during the Cold War and located about 30 minutes from downtown. From Florence Rabusseau of London, England: Revamp the image… Read More
Is your website ready to welcome journalists?
Right now, as you’re reading this, a journalist could be nosing around at your website, looking for clues that will help determine whether you’re worth covering. Will the reporter find typos galore, outdated news releases or incomplete contact information? PR pro Carolyn Moncel said there’s a checklist of items you should have at your website–things… Read More
Media summit like “speed-dating with top media”
If you’re looking for a way to get the attention of top national journalists, pay attention to these four tips courtesy of Mahesh Grossman, author of the book “Write a Book Without Lifting a Finger”: –Relationships are the name of the game. –You need to be your own publicist. –Try to tie in with the… Read More
Contact your trade group for publicity
During a telesphone seminar for Publicity Hounds in my mentoring program, one of my mentees asked how she can find labor statistics for a particular industry. The first answer that came to mind was the U.S. Department of Labor. But a much easier source, I said, might be a trade association. If you aren’t using… Read More
Multi-state library chain gets lots of publicity ideas
Eighteen Publicity Hounds who responded to a question in my ezine had lots of ideas for Tia Dobi of Los Angeles, California, who wants to promote a multi-state group of public libraries. “The majority of fliers and pamphlets generated are distributed within the confinements of the library. So nobody on the outside sees them,” she… Read More
How to revive a dying book marketing campaign
Two to three months after the typical book hits bookstores, sales usually start to diminish, sometimes for as long as eight or nine months. Many authors go into panic mode, frightened that their sales can’t possibly regain momentum. Book publicist Lissa Warren knows the feeling. And she tells her clients that the slump is to… Read More
Interview reporters before they interview you
Nothing can be more exciting for a Publicity Hound than getting a call from a reporter who asks for an interview. But when the reporter starts asking questions, the worst thing you can do is immediately start answering them. If you do, without knowing what the story is about, you’re putting yourself at risk. Let’s… Read More
How to protect your good name on the Internet
These days, your good name can be damaged within a matter of minutes. It can happen if a blogger posts an entry about you, your company or non-profit, on the Internet. Minutes later, it’s picked up and either repeated or referred to on four other blogs. The next day, you start getting email messages from… Read More
How to promote an ezine for Boomers, seniors
Several Publicity Hounds have lots of ideas for Sharon Sultan Cutler of Boynton Beach, Florida who wants to know how to promote her website, a fairly new Baby-Boomer-to-senior monthly ezine and national business resource directory. Each issue features news on financial planning, health and wellness, home and leisure, with a senior focus. From Willetta Heising… Read More