An article in the Oct. 1 issue of PR Week says recent recalls of Mattel toys and microwave popcorn presents the perfect opportunity for companies that make non-toxic, eco-friendly and organic products to generate publicity for their brands. Here are some ideas to get you started: —Restaurants can publicize organic menu offerings. Be willing to talk… Read More
Pitching
Meet reporters at ‘New York’s Funniest Reporter’ contest
I look for every opportunity to help you connect face-to-face with journalists, and this one sounds like fun. Six New York-area journalists and broadcasters will take to the stage in a stand-up comedy competition that will raise money for Operation Uplink, a charity that supports U.S. Troops. The 2nd Annual “New York’s Funniest Reporter” contest will be at 9:30 p.m. October… Read More
Freelance writers need more lead time
Have a great story idea that you want to pitch to freelancers? If so, give them enough time to work with their client publications. Don’t expect to pitch, then hear from them immediately about whether they’re interested. That’s one of the tips from freelance journalist Helen Chang, who has contributed to Time, BusinessWeek, San Francisco Chronicle and… Read More
Halloween story ideas should be pitched now
If you sell a product or service related to Halloween, or you’re promoting a cause or issue that ties in, start pitching your story ideas now. Halloween-related stories and magazine covers started showing up as early as Labor Day this year, as the popularity of the holiday seems to grow each year. Halloween is the second… Read More
Press clubs: Logical place to meet journalists
If you’re looking for ways to meet your favorite local journalist in a relaxed a relaxed social setting, join your local press club. Press clubs promote journalism excellence through a variety of programs, activities and monthly meetings. Most members are from the working press, but plenty of PR people also belong. David Niles, former editor of… Read More
National Publicity Summit success story
Have you ever had these kinds of nightmares? —You’re taking a final exam for a college course, and it suddenly dawns on you that you’ve never attended one class. —You’re going about your business, usually at work or in a public place, and realize you aren’t wearing any clothes. —All your teeth have fallen out. Dream… Read More
Donate a prize for publicity at ProBlogger
There’s a clever promotion that’s tied to a contest at ProBlogger, one of the top blogging sites dedicated to showing bloggers how to add income streams to their blogs. The blog is celebrating its third anniversary, and Darren Rowse is asking readers to donate significant prizes—everything from cash to iPods—and generate some great publicity. Call me nuts,… Read More
Announcements aren’t news, so stop announcing
My skin crawls every time I see somebody “announcing” something in a press release or a news story. They act as though the announcement is the news when, in fact, it isn’t. The content of the announcement is all anybody cares about. That’s why I’d love to ban the words “announce, announced, announcing” and “announcement”… Read More
Charlotte Observer business section pitching tips
If you’re trying to pitch the Charlotte Observer with your business story, first watch this short interview with business editor Patrick Scott. It’s courtesy of videographer John Easton, who will be providing videos of other Charlotte-area journalists, complete with their own tips, at a website called Broadcast Charlotte. (What a great way for John, a citizen journalist, to… Read More
Grant recipients: Tell the rest of the story
Thanks to Publicity Hound Beth Bilderback, public relations specialist for Nauticus, a marine science center in Norfolk, Virginia, for this tip that can be used by anyone who receives grant money: “This summer, we received a hefty grant to fund two oceanography camps for two separate groups of 10th-graders. One requirement was that the students… Read More