Every month or so, it seems, we’re hearing one more story about how somebody committed a crime with help from Craigslist. In March, a New York City prostitute was killed after meeting a client on the world’s largest classified ad bulletin board. Two weeks ago, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that a 15-year-old Wisconsin girl who ran away from home sold… Read More
Publicity Blog
What else should American have done after canceling flights?
Here’s the list of public relations tactics American Airlines adopted after canceling more than 3,000 flights this month: According to PRWeek, it: —Enlisted its seven-person PR team, other staffers and Weber Shandwick, its PR firm, to inform the public about the reasons for the delay. —Handed out press releases to customers at some of its largest hubs. —Sent… Read More
Story Ideas for Summer and Beyond
One of the most difficult parts of a publicity campaign is coming up with a constant stream of story ideas about your product, service, cause or issue. Some Publicity Hounds, I’ve found, are so close to their own businesses that it’s difficult for them to identify the things that most people would find interesting. The… Read More
When Journalists Snub You
You pitch a story to a top-tier newspaper. The reporter calls you. You bend over backwards to help with the story. And when it’s finally printed, you’re crestfallen to learn that the reporter never even mentioned your name. The first time it happened to me, I wanted to call the reporter’s boss and complain. And… Read More
When bloggers ask for free products, be generous
When a blogger asks you for a free copy of your book, ebook, CD or other product, resist the urge to say, “If you want it bad enough, buy it.” You wouldn’t say that to a journalist who called asking to review your book, or a music reviewer who called asking for your new CD to review,… Read More
Nashville Opera sponsors ‘Put Me on a Billboard’ Contest
Are you a business or organization celebrating a big anniversary soon? Or how about just a Publicity Hound who wouldn’t mind being a celebrity in your own town? This idea is great for both. This year, the Nashville Opera is sponsoring a “Put Me on a Billboard Contest” to raise funds and awareness for a new opera… Read More
Makers of card game for tweens needs promotion ideas
Shirley James of Ormond Beach, Florida writes: “A partner and I have developed an activity-based trading card for tween girls (ages 7-12) called, UgoGrl at http://www.ugogrl.com/. The cards encourage them to become physically active, mentally challenged, creatively inspired, and socially responsible. This is accomplished across six catgories of real-life fun. Each card has a tip,… Read More
Columnist seeks entrepreneurs who returned to traditional jobs
Are you a business owner who’s happy as a clam after returning to traditional employment? Mildred L. Culp, who writes the column WorkWise which is syndicated in print and online in such newspapers as The Dallas Morning News and Hartford Courant, is looking for sources. If this doesn’t apply to you but you know somebody who fits this… Read More
Journalists search LinkedIn for ideas, topics, trends—and dirt
If you have a profile on LinkedIn, don’t be surprised if a journalist calls and says she found you there. Could be she’s an investigative reporter who’s digging up dirt on your former employer. Or maybe she’s just looking for story ideas, did a search at the site and your profile popped up. Check out 10… Read More
How to promote tutorials on how to speak Chinese
Alex Foo of Christmas Island, Australia writes: “I resigned from a prestigous job three years ago when I discovered that I could help people start Speaking Chinese in 58 minutes with no pen, no paper. “My dream is to help 957,000 people around the world start speaking some basic Chinese before the Beijing Olympic Games… Read More