David Meerman Scott, who recorded an interview with me a few weeks ago called “The New Rules of Press Releases: How to Write Them for Buyers, Not Only for Journalists,” says that when he used to work as a reporter, he never read a press release, then wrote a story directly from the release. If he… Read More
Publicity Blog
‘Let’s Say Thanks’ campaign by Xerox a great interactive marketing campaign
I love interactive marketing campaigns that engage people online. The “Let’s Say Thanks” campaign, created by Xerox as a way for people to send postcards of thanks to the troops overseas, is brilliant, regardless of what you think of the war in Iraq. Here’s how it works. Visit their website and choose your favorite postcard design. All the… Read More
Newsday publicity is easier with editor’s pitching tips
If you’re trying to get into Newsday, the New York daily paper with almost a half-million circulation, pay attention to these pitching tips from associate editor A.J. Carter, courtesy of Bulldog Reporter’s excellent Journalists Speak Out newsletter: —Make your online newsrooms easier to navigate. (Listen to the hour-long interview I did with Drew Gerber of Presskit… Read More
Book promotion: 50 ideas for under $50
Book publicist Penny Sansevieri, never lacking for a creative ideas, wants authors to start promoting their books even if they’re on a shoestring budget. She has 50 ideas for under $50. They include: Buy your domain name as soon as you have a title for your book. You can get domain names for as little as… Read More
Online tools for journalists: Here are Top 3
Knowing what tools journalists use to do their jobs can help Publicity Hounds, who need to do research for articles, opinion columns, letters to the editor, and sometimes even pitches to journalists and bloggers. Amy Gahran, content strategist and info-provocateur from Boulder, Colorado, lists her Top 3 Online Tools for Journalists for Poynter Online. Furl, a free service… Read More
Google’s flap over trademark is puzzling
Anyone who’s been following this blog for awhile knows what I’m referring to when I use the term Media Mutt. It’s somebody who doesn’t belong in the same league as a Publicity Hound. MMs do silly things like call reporters and ask, “Can you tell me if you got my news release?” MMs order TV reporters and camera… Read More
Business travel killing you? Relax and work in your jammies
Business travel is so bad, these days, I’d rather have a root canal. I’m dreading going through security tomorrow morning at the Milwaukee airport because of the new security restrictions. But I wouldn’t miss this business trip for anything. I’m headed to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where I’ll continue to learn how to get the heck off the road and keep making money… Read More
Canadian SOHOs: I want your publicity success stories
I’m thrilled to be a new columnist for SOHO Business Report, a quarterly magazine for Canadian small office/home office business owners. My first column is due September 1, and I’m looking for publicity success stories from Canadian SOHOs. Tell me: How you got publicity for a product, service, cause or issue. How you pitched a… Read More
Northwest Airlines PR nosedives due to tips booklets
Is anybody awake in bankrupt Northwest Airlines’ PR department? How could anyone—even somebody with a brain the size of a pea—let the company distribute tips booklets titled “101 Ways to Save Money” to employees whose pay has just been slashed? The booklets offer these tips: Shop in thrift stores Take a date for a walk in the woods… Read More
Nag Oprah? Try it at your own risk
I despise Internet petitions and am sick to death of being asked to “sign” my name for whatever and pass it along “to everyone in your address book.” Then along comes this post at book marketing guu John Kremer’s blog about a petition being circulated by an author who wants to get onto “Oprah.” In at least… Read More