The Gift List, the fee-based service that provides leads on media outlets planning special coverage of things that make great gifts, will now write your news releases and distribute them to the media. That means people who sell various products and services no longer have to spend time tracking down special sections where their product would… Read More
Pitching
BookExpo America will feature journalists galore
If you’re attending the giant BookExpo America convention in Washington, D.C. May 18-21, pay attention to the journalists, book reviewers and other media people who will be there, keynoting or speaking on panels. I found these names while paging through the convention program. This list is by no means comprehensive. Thursday, May 18: 10-11 a.m.–Creating… Read More
‘The View’ producers know what they want–don’t try to change their minds
A Publicity Hound writes: “I have a client who has been booked on the ‘Today’ show as part of their “Love After 40” series. I didn’t get the segment directly. ‘Today’ called us after seeing the local NBC segment about my client. I am wondering the best wording to use to capitalize on this exciting opportunity. … Read More
Do the media view you as a beggar?
Answer true or false to the following statements: —The first time I call a media outlet, it’s always to pitch a story idea about me, my company or my client even though I usually don’t read the publication or watch the program I’m pitching. —When I call, my pitches usually zero in on the product… Read More
Bulldog Reporter teleseminar on pitching will show you how to hit ’em out of the park
Not exactly hitting your pitches out of the ballpark? Join me and three other PR experts at 1 PM Eastern Time on Thursday, April 20, for a teleseminar on “Pitching Secrets from the Masters: How to Craft Flawless Pitches That Compel Coverage.” Joining me will be my buddy Paul Furiga, former editor of the Pittsburgh… Read More
Vogue magazine editor says ‘no blanket pitches’
Sally Singer, fashion news and features director at Vogue echoes what I’ve been preaching for years. No one-size-fits-all pitches, she tells Bulldog Reporter’s Daily Dog. And yes, you can certainly look at the magazine’s editorial calendar, but don’t rely on it exclusively to tell you which sections are planned for which months. Read the magazine! “The… Read More
Tween magazine fans: How to reach them with your pitch
PR Week says magazines for 9- to 12-year-olds shouldn’t be mistaken for the same teen magazines read by their older siblings. Tweens have their own tastes, as well as spending power. So you don’t have to pitch parents directly to reach the kids or their money. The magazine suggests: “Make sure all pitches are age-appropriate.” Pitch websites that… Read More
Radio talk shows can be a publicity gold mine
Remember me telling you about Business Solutions, the hour-long Milwaukee radio show for entrepreneurs that hosted me as their guest expert on Saturday afternoon? I was disappointed that we didn’t get any calls from the audience. But here’s what happened and what I learned as a result of that program: —The host, Diane Chamness, was… Read More
Email pitches to journalists need these 8 elements
When you email a story idea to the media, does it include the eight key elements of the perfect pitch? A compelling, not cute, subject line No more than one screen of type Mentioning a specific section of the newspaper or magazine, or a specific part of a TV or radio show, where your story… Read More
Mother’s Day gift needs pitching tips from Publicity Hounds
Publicity Hound Jennifer Raaths of Barrington, Illinois writes: “I am working on a Mother’s Day gift idea for my client, DiCarlo Fine Wines & Spirits, a liquor store. The gift idea is a handmade purse by my friend, Carrie, a local stay-at-home mom. Each purse is unique. No two are the same. And they’re filled… Read More