If you’re writing your first book, or your next one, who better than Jack Canfield to tell you what you need to do to make that book fly off the shelves? I can’t begin to guess what he charges for one-on-one consulting. But no matter. You can win a lunch with Canfield, co-author of the phenomenal “Chicken Soup” series… Read More
Publicity Blog
Pittsburgh nonprofit needs help getting onto local TV
John and Bobbi Robinson of Vanderbilt, PA write: “Unity, a Journey of Hope, is our nonprofit that grants wishes to adults with a life-limiting illness. “We take them to concerts and sporting events, introduce them to people they want to meet, send them on vacation with a friend or family member, or send them on… Read More
Number 1 press release mistake: A lack of keywords
Most people who email me with questions about how to write press releases ask the least important questions: How many words should my release be? What’s the best free press release distribution service? Can you take a look at my release and tell me if it has the right “tone”? Should my name and… Read More
Should publicists be compensated for bigger publicity hits?
Joel Kweskin of Charlotte, NC, asks another question this week: “I’d like to hear your Hounds’ opinions on how to compensate publicists. “Some press releases result in a little blurb in a publication, which can be considered satisfactory. And then there’s a query to a business publication that results in a full feature article, which… Read More
NPR host says pitch your idea to one show at a time
National Public Radio, with its hundreds of shows, offers opportunities galore for people to pitch a story about their product, service, cause or issue. But here’s an important caveat: Don’t pitch to more than one show at the same time. That was one of several tips from (Ms.) Alex Cohen, a reporter and local host for… Read More
What to do when journalists ignore your press releases
Joel Kweskin of Charlotte, NC, asks this week’s Help This Hound question: “What should I do when I send out press releases to, among others, the local newspaper and they simply don’t publish them? I’m talking legitimate and even entertaining news items. “Do you just keep throwing the proverbial stuff against the wall until something sticks? Or, is there… Read More
Did this PR pro err by chastizing a Forbes reporter publicly?
If a reporter at a magazine interviewed you for a story, reassured you that he wouldn’t present you in a bad light, and the story that was published described you exactly as you had feared, would you criticize the reporter publicly? In the old days, most people wouldn’t. “Don’t pick fights with people who buy their ink… Read More
StomperNet taking new members: Here’s what you’ll get
If you sell anything online, from dog sweaters to corporate training programs, StomperNet is the single best resource for Internet training. I’ve been a member for two years, and there’s no way I could possibly do what I’m doing today without this group. One of the biggest complaints from my own followers, however, is that Stompernet’s $800-a-month fee is too far… Read More
How can nonprofits get free PR help? Ideas?
Vicki Young of Dallas, Texas writes: “What’s the best way for a very worthy nonprofit agency to get free help with their PR campaign? “I’ve been doing PR work for Captain Hope’s Kids as a nonprofit client for years, but I have to step down. It’s a great organization in Dallas, Texas, that’s dedicated to meeting the critical needs… Read More
80+ free social media policies—add yours to this list
Companies and nonprofits everywhere are scrambling to create social media policies. But before you appoint a special committee within your organization to do weeks of research, and then summon your expensive attorneys, scan this helpful list of more than 80 sample social media policies. If you have your own policy that isn’t listed here, add it to the list… Read More