When you write a press release, how many different versions do you write? Just one? You’ll kick yourself when you hear about what Publicity Hound Kathi Petersen does. When Kathi told me she wrote nine versions of one release for a fund-raiser she was publicizing, I thought she was kidding. Then she told me about… Read More
Public Relations
Publicity tip: Posting on Craigslist helps your PR, website page ranking
I watched last night’s “Nightline” segment on Craigslist, the wildly successful global billboard for people around the world seeking everything from speech classes to sperm donors. Just hours before, I hosted a teleseminar with Nancy Mills of The Spirited Woman website, who has been using Craigslist as a valuable publicity tool to promote her in-person events and teleseminars with famous woman authors, actresses and… Read More
How do you pitch an idea to McDonald’s, Burger King?
Publicity Hound Jon Merz of Albany, New York writes: “I have an idea for a great publicity campaign for McDonald’s or Burger King that involves a joint venture with my business. The problem is, these companies say they don’t accept unsolicited publicity ideas. “My question is this: how do I get some type of audience… Read More
Spy on your competitors in their online media rooms
Thanks to Publicity Hound George McKenzie for this tip, which you’ll find in his “Free Publicity Action Plan.” Use your competitor’s online media room to generate publicity for yourself. Simply check the media room on their website. George says they’ll probably be crowing about their media successes (as they should). You can contact the media… Read More
Looking for a job in PR? Your media contacts might help decide if you get it
Remember that reporter who you ticked off when you kept calling to ask, “Can you tell me when the news release I sent you will be printed?” Or the editor who won’t talk to you again because you promised him exclusivity on an article, then turned around and gave it to a competing magazine? Both… Read More
How to find freelancers and start forming relationships
When it comes to forming valuable relationships with media people who can help you, treat freelance writers with the same respect you would staff writers. Here’s why they can be so valuable to your publicity campaign: —If you pitch a freelancer, it’s their job to tweak the pitch, flesh out the story, and sell the… Read More
How to promote a book for writers
C. Hope Clark of Phoenix, Arizona writes: “I am author of THE SHY WRITER: An Introvert’s Guide to Writing Success. The thrust of the book is “Sell your words, not your soul” and it is designed for people who cringe at getting up in front of people. It helps them come up with alternatives to… Read More
Research media outlets before sending expensive press kits
Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London and New York sent me a copy of their slick, beautiful 2006/2007 course catalog, which must have cost a fortune to produce. I plucked it from my mailbox this morning. As soon as I opened the envelope, I asked myself, “Why are they sending this to me?” I’m not… Read More
D.C. panel explains how to do business with independent PR consultants
If you’re thinking of hiring a big PR firm to handle your next publicity campaign, consider the benefits of hiring an independent PR consultant. The consultant, who might work from her home, probably won’t have to jack up her prices to cover ovherhead. But the PR firm that rents swanky office space in a downtown… Read More
Diamond Pet Food Finally Offers an Update
If you read about the Diamond Pet Foods recall on the front page of the Jan. 2 issue of PR Week magazine, you’d walk away thinking the company did just about everything it could to deal with this crisis. Its crisis plan included: —A consumer alert and recall three days after a veterinarian in upstate… Read More