If you want publicity in traditional media for a food-related story, don’t miss these tips from Nancy Wall Hopkins, deputy editor of food and entertaining at Better Homes and Gardens. Brian Pittman of Bulldog Reporter interviewed her. Here’s a quick summary, but please read the entire article. After each one of Nancy’s tips, I’ve also given you some of my… Read More
Pitching
Pitching Hispanic radio? Tie your pitch to the geographic area
If you’re pitching a story idea to a Spanish-language radio station, remember that the Hispanic market is diverse. If you’re planning to treat all stations the same, and deliver the same one-size-fits-all pitch, you’re doomed even before you begin. Dean Thompson, media relations associate at News Generation, a PR firm that specializes in radio media tours, offers… Read More
Business teaches green living, needs Earth Day angles
Colleen Schmid of Heathrow, Fla. Writes: “I’ve recently started a new business teaching families how to start going green in their homes. I go through their homes and, room by room, show them what things they can be doing to save on power and water bills as well as removing toxins. I will also begin… Read More
Ugly patio furniture contest needs publicity ideas
Jill Cranford of Livermore, Colo. writes: “My company, Stone2Furniture, which makes indoor and outdoor furniture from stone, is having an Ugly Patio Furniture Contest and we’ll be giving away a set of our stone furniture valued at $4,100. The contest runs through August. “So here I am with the rules drawn up, and it’s live… Read More
A journalist’s tips for pitching story ideas about your business
This month’s guest blogger Mark Macias, author of the book “Beat the Press: Your Guide to Managing the Media,” shares terrific tips on how businesses can grab media attention. How about using his questions below as a checklist every few months? The story ideas you’ll generate are just as good for bloggers, ezine editors and… Read More
PitchRate matches sources, journalists and rates your pitch
Publicity Hounds hoping to connect with journalists who need their expertise now have another free service to use. PitchRate, created by Drew Gerber of Press Kit 24/7, connects sources with journalists, bloggers and anyone who provides content. When you visit the Pitchrate website, you can log in as a journalist or as a source. I… Read More
My #1 tip for getting onto ‘Oprah’ & other big TV shows
At least 7 out of 10 Publicity Hounds who beg me to help them get booked on “Oprah” or other big TV shows have no business being there. Either their topic isn’t a good fit for the show, or they can’t articulate a convincing pitch in 15 seconds or less. Yet they continue to flood… Read More
Product for heavy Christmas tree ornaments needs publicity
Shannon Hein of Fort Collins, Colorado writes: “I am helping a friend promote Branchies, a product she invented that lets people hang heavy objects on their Christmas trees. “They attach easily to the trunk of your Christmas tree and support very heavy and bulky ornaments. They are a great way to transform your tree using… Read More
Obama inauguration donors: Pitch to your local media
President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team is appealing to campaign donors and others to contribute to the Inauguation festivities, which will cost at least $40 million. If you’ll be ponying up money to help, you could pitch the story to your local media. If you know the names of other individual donors or businesses in your… Read More
Pitch an entire segment for the morning TV talk shows
If you’re trying to get onto one of the big morning TV talk shows to promote a product, tie it to a current event—and then sweeten your pitch by offering similar products. That’s what Liz Murphy of Formula PR in el Segundo, California did. Several month sago, she pitched the morning TV talk shows on behalf of… Read More