The Forward, an influential Jewish newspaper published in New York City, is expanding its West Coast coverage, and has opened a Los Angeles bureau. Staff reporter Rebecca Spence will cover a wide range of topics including politics, entertainment, local Jewish news and organizations. Spence has been a staff writer at the Forward on two separate occasions from… Read More
Publicity Blog
‘Martha’ to feature Toilet Paper Wedding Dress winner
I wrote about how I loved the very clever Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest sponsored by Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com. And the publicity just keep on coming. Website owners Susan Bain; her mother, Roxie Radford; and sister, Laura Gawne tell me that Hanah Kim, the 2007 winner, and her dress will be featured on “The Martha Stewart Show” tomorrow. That’s… Read More
What motivates journalists, bloggers? Most of these 40 things
Attracting a journalist’s or blogger’s attention for your story idea is no different than attracting a consumer’s attention for a product or service. That’s what I concluded when I read What motivates people? Beckwith 40, written by branding expert Harry Beckwith, strategic director of Beckwith Partners, a marketing firm. Take, for example, three of his… Read More
Freelance writers need more lead time
Have a great story idea that you want to pitch to freelancers? If so, give them enough time to work with their client publications. Don’t expect to pitch, then hear from them immediately about whether they’re interested. That’s one of the tips from freelance journalist Helen Chang, who has contributed to Time, BusinessWeek, San Francisco Chronicle and… Read More
Viking merchant wants ‘best of’ lists, tips
Donald Hansen of Issaquah, Washington writes: “Your readers responded well to an earlier question about need for help with our (then-Danish, now US/worldwide) website of Viking Age artifacts in replica at VikingTrader.net. We used some of the suggestions to good effect and also your special report on how to get into the inflight magazines. “Now… Read More
Halloween story ideas should be pitched now
If you sell a product or service related to Halloween, or you’re promoting a cause or issue that ties in, start pitching your story ideas now. Halloween-related stories and magazine covers started showing up as early as Labor Day this year, as the popularity of the holiday seems to grow each year. Halloween is the second… Read More
Press clubs: Logical place to meet journalists
If you’re looking for ways to meet your favorite local journalist in a relaxed a relaxed social setting, join your local press club. Press clubs promote journalism excellence through a variety of programs, activities and monthly meetings. Most members are from the working press, but plenty of PR people also belong. David Niles, former editor of… Read More
‘World of wealth’ is topic of new WSJ magazine
The Wall Street Journal is launching a monthly glossy magazine called Pursuits, designed to explore “the world of wealth.” It is expected to launch next September and be distributed with the Journal’s Saturday editions. Content will be available free online, outside the Journal’s paid subscription wall. An editor hasn’t been named, but Robert Frank, the… Read More
Make a Difference Day, Oct. 27, a great publicity op
Today’s issue of USA Weekend includes details on how your company, nonprofit, government agency, social club or neighborhood group can participate in Make a Difference Day on Oct. 27, the annual Saturday set aside to make a difference in your community. How? Paint a building, pick up litter, help at a home for the elderly, refurbish a community… Read More
Writing articles? Know how to negotiate with publishers
If you’re writing articles for newspapers, magazines and other publications, make sure you understand rights, reprints and other legal issues that can trip you up later. Michelle Nightengale of BookdSolidSuccessTips.com emailed me a question about this topic. She wanted to know if she maintains the copyright to an article she has already written for a publication and if… Read More