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
Contests
‘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
YouTube: Perfect place to sponsor a contest
Sponsor a contest on whatever it is you’re promoting, and let the amateur videographers over at YouTube participate. That’s what the nonprofit SmartPower has done. Its national non-profit marketing campaign, which promotes the use of clean renewable energy from sources such as wind, solar and water, is sponsoring a contest at YouTube.com for the most creative… Read More
Publicity galore for Wacky Warning Label contest
I heard a really fun morning drive-time radio interview with Bob Dorigo Jones on a Milwaukee radio station. He’s the author of the new book “Remove Child Before Folding: The 101 Stupidest, Silliest and Wackiest Warning Labels Ever.” It reminded me to remind you that fun contests are almost guaranteed to generate publicity. Bob is also president of the… Read More
Worst Internet Marketer contest has $12,000 in prizes
So you think your website stinks, and you need some big-time help? Then join Suzanne Falter-Barns’ “Worst Net Marketer” contest and let the public decide how bad it realy is. On June 24, four finalists will be chosen who have: 1) A functioning website or blog 2) A sound business concept 3) A clearly defined market and niche 4) Provide… Read More