The March 13 issue of PR Week reports that liberal media seem to have a heightened profile, mostly because of the opposition to the war in Iraq. Progressive magazines, blogs, radio and TV programs are reporting bigger audiences. That means it’s a great time for Publicity Hounds to pitch. PR Week offers these tips: “Many progressive outlets don’t have… Read More
Media Relations
Fake press passes: If you use them or see them, contact me
I attend a popular trade show each year where several people I know create fake press passes so they don’t have to pay the hefty admission fee. It’s easier than ever, thanks to desktop publishing. But get caught, and you risk looking like a cheapskate. Even worse, you can ruin your reputation within that industry.… Read More
How to address journalists might phase Miss Manners, but not the journalists
Cheryl Beck, a freelance writer from Ray Township, Michigan writes: “I have been wondering about the proper way to address journalists/editors. When I call and pitch, after a reporter answers, do I address them as they have introduced themselves? If you answered ‘Hello this is Joan’ do I say ‘Hello Joan I am…and calling from…’ or… Read More
Questions reporters ask might be offbeat, unexpected
I’m going to ask you three questions and I want you to take as much time as you need to think about each one before you answer. Here we go: —If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? And why? —If you were on a desert island, what three… Read More
Publicity tip–Survey shows PR people think following Associated Press style in press releases is still important
A new survey by a group of business communicators shows that if you aren’t referring to an Associated Press stylebook when writing press releases, letters to the editor or anything else for the media, it shows you really don’t know how to play the publicity game. The AP stylebook is the journalist’s bible. It includes all the rules dictating things such as the… Read More
Publicity tip–Attend business journal meetings on how to use the paper as a prospecting tool
If the business journal in the town where you live invites you to attend a meeting at the paper where you’ll learn lots of tips on how to use the newspaper as a sales tool, you’d be crazy not to go. Thanks to Publicity Hound Carol Rehak of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for tipping me off to the invitation… Read More
Publicity tip–What to do when the media won’t cover a runner, walker coming through your town
When I worked in the world of newspapers more than 10 years ago, we’d get the occasional call from a publicist telling us that somebody was walking, or running, or getting down on his hands and knees and pushing a peanut with his nose through our town, and they wanted us to cover it. You can guess what our answer… Read More
Publicity tip–Get inside the minds of journalists by reading Al’s Morning Meeting which offers story ideas worth stealing
Ever wish you could get inside the minds of journalists to watch how they think? Puzzled about what journalists consider news because it bears no resemblance with what you think is newsworthy? How would you like an inside track on what could be the next hot story of the day? And wouldn’t it be cool… Read More
Publicity tip: What to do when newspapers view you as competition and won’t cover your news
A reader just emailed me with this question: “I live in the Caribbean and am publishing a Real Estate Guide. However, there are two major dailies in my country and they are very territorial and do not want to feature my company or my magazine because we are indirect competitors. “I sent one of the dailies a press release… Read More
What to do when you pitch a story idea, the reporter stalls and won’t cover it
A publicist emailed me last week, asking my advice on this dilemma. She pitched a story about her client, whose company is the local angle to a major national business story. A reporter from a big newspaper (one that most Publicity Hounds would give their right paws to get into), bit on the idea in… Read More