Brenda Rogerson of Highland, Michigan writes: “The American Sewing Expo is the largest independently owned sewing expo in the country with over 15,000 people attending our three-day show from all over the U.S. In addition to classes, vendors, a sewing cafe and special exhibits, we have several challenges for sewers of all abilities and interests. “We are… Read More
Contests
Promote books with a contest like this one for Packers fans
If you’re doing PR for a new book, here’s a great idea you can borrow, courtesy of Dorothy Molstad, marketing manager for MBI Publishing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. Create a fun contest for the media, including ezine publishers and bloggers. That’s what she did to promote their book “Green Bay Packers: The Complete Illustrated History” by… Read More
Airlines magazine to feature best Road Warrior on cover
You don’t have to look far this summer to find stories about travel nightmares in airports all over the world. That’s why the Aug. 31 deadline for the 6th Annual Road Warriors contest sponsored by AmericanWay, the inflight magazine of American Airlines, is perfect timing. The magazine is searching for the top Road Warriors. The winner will participate in… Read More
Online games, quizzes great for website promotion
If you’re trying to attract traffic to your website, a simple link in your online press release often isn’t good enough. You have to give people a good reason to visit. Thanks to the Wylie’s Writing Tips ezine for tipping us off to the cool quizzes and games in the Gotham Gazette, a website with daily content offered each weekday by… Read More
‘The Next Food Network Star’ looking for ’08 candidates
I’m addicted to “The Next Food Network Star,” and I’m thrilled that it’s returning for another season in ’08. Foodies who want their own TV show should be thrilled, too, because now’s your chance. But do you have what it takes? The network is looking for people with cooking know-how, either self-taught or professionally trained or… Read More
Cafe for kids needs publicity ideas
Kelly Parthen of Madison, Wisconsin writes: “My partner and I are opening Bean Sprouts, a new kids’ cafe outside Madison, Wisconsin. We would love your readers’ help coming up with some fresh ideas for our grand opening. “It will specialize in freshly-made, healthy food for children, along with adult-friendly food and coffee. Its mission is to spark… Read More
Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest
This is in honor of June brides everywhere. It’s the Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest, sponsored by Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com, a home-based business in Boca Raton, Florida that exists primarily to generate revenue from Google Adsense ads, sell a few products in its small online store, and sing the praises of cheap weddings. To draw traffic to… Read More
Going green? Let everyone know
If your company is switching from paper to ceramic coffee cups, from paper to cloth napkins in the cafeteria, recycling almost everything, or doing anything else in the category of “going green,” be sure to spread the word. Journalists, in particular, love to jump on almost any story about saving the environment. You can pitch to business… Read More
Nursing homes, sponsor a talent contest
My ears perked up last week when my local TV station aired a story about the Ms. Missouri Nursing Home Contest. I smiled when I saw the video of one of the frail contestants, in great “American Ido”l tradition, crooning “It Had to be You” into the microphone. I’m foggy on the details, but I… Read More
Ribbon-cutting event? You can do better than that
I know you’ve seen photos just like this one hundreds of times. It’s called a ribbon-cutting event, complete with the giant cardbaord scissors, and it’s one of the most-photographed, most boring ways to try to generate publicity. Equally repugnant are those giant cardboard checks that somebody “presents” to someone else, usually when a company or a group… Read More