Many publicists pay more attention to pitching reporters at print publications like daily newspapers, and less time pitching reporters who write for the online versions. Here are four reasons why that’s a mistake: 1. Newspapers are continuing to tighten their print publications because of the high cost of newsprint. 2. Some smaller daily papers are… Read More
Pitching
How to get your product into celebrities’ hands
Princess Grace once said this about Estee Lauder: “I don’t know her very well, but she keeps sending me all these things…” Estee Lauder would mail her homemade cosmetics to celebrities she didn’t know. She’d even give them to stars she spotted on the street. The constant practice of gifting celebrities with her cosmetics is what many say… Read More
The Pitch That Landed with a Thud
I’ve started conducting telephone training sessions for PR firms that want a refresher course on things like press releases and pitching, as well as a look at many of the opportunities in the world of social media. They don’t have to pay my regular speaker fee. I don’t have to hassle with airports. And everybody’s… Read More
Reality TV shows: How to sell your idea to Hollywood
Everybody, it seems, wants their own reality TV show like American Idol, The Apprentice or Project Runway. But how do you break into the lucrative world of reality TV, whether you’ve got an idea for a multi-million-dollar series or a low-budget niche show on cable? Be in West Hollywood from 7 to 10 p.m. on Monday, March 3. That’s when Media Bistro… Read More
Pitch the Wire Services
One of the best ways to get your story into dozens, perhaps even hundreds of newspapers across the U.S.–all at the same time–is to pitch one of the wire services. The Associated Press, the world’s largest news agency, is a great place to start. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio… Read More
Meet journalists at writers conference in April
Here’s a great tip for getting some face time with journalists, courtesy of Mitch Davis of Expertclick: The Online Yearbook of Experts. He’ll be at American Society of Journalists and Authors 2008 Writers Conference in New York, April 11-13. It’s a perfect venue to meet influential editors and writers. Set up near Mitch’s table and he’ll give you advice on… Read More
Video pitching will become overused
Thanks to Publicity Hound Laura Jackson for calling attention to the issue of video pitching—in other words, pitching a blogger by creating a clever video in which you are shown delivering the pitch. Blogger Jeremiah Owyang, a web strategist shown here, posted this item in which he raved about the clever video pitch from two authors who wanted… Read More
Google reporters, bloggers before pitching
Online PR and social media expert BL Ochman reminds us to Google reporters and bloggers whom we’re targeting with pitches and press releases, so we’ll know if they’ve covered our competitors. Her eight-question quiz for PR people is a dandy. It includes a question I can’t ever remember anyone asking: Are you reading your competitors’ press releases? If not, start. Subscribe… Read More
Ditch the Shovels, Scissors & Checks
This week’s edition of my local weekly newspaper had another one of those ghastly ground-breaking photos. You know what it looks like because you’ve seen hundreds of them. Four guys wearing business suits and hard hats are posing, each with their foot on a shovel, looking very uncomfortable and out of place. These photos belong… Read More
Hollywood bad girls provide pitching opps galore
Piggybacking onto celebrity news and gossip is one of the best ways to generate publicity for your own expertise. Commenting on Britney Spears’ lousy parenting skills, her mother’s apparent absence of parenting skills, or celebs bouncing in and out of rehab has never been easier. The article “Rise of the Hollywood Bad Girl” at GlobeandMail.com explains what’s behind… Read More