If you’re trying to figure out how to be a great guest on a radio talk show, just exhibit the same traits that stations demand in their hosts. In the February issue of Talkers magazine, talk show consultant John Mainelli who also covers radio for the New York Post, lists these six traits of the best hosts: A sense… Read More
Pitching
Food nutrition facts will beef up food pitches
If you’re pitching a story about a food product, offer the nutritional benefits of the product at the front of your pitch. That’s one of three tips offered by David Ward in his article in the March 20 issue of PR Week. Other PR tips for foodies include: —Look beyond newspaper food pages and the Food Network for… Read More
State of the Media Report shows journalists more stressed than ever—good news for PR people
It’s a great day to be a PR person and a bad time to be a journalist. So says the March 20 issue of PR Week, in an article commenting on the third annual State of the Media Report written by the Project for Excellence in Journalism. The report found that the newspaper industry, in… Read More
Parenting tips needed by the media, so pitch story ideas about children
If you’re an expert who can share advice, write a how-to article, create a quiz, take a poll or survey, dream up a clever holiday, offer a Q&A, or show someone how to do something, don’t forget the kids. I don’t have children. But while at the local library last week, I paged through three… Read More
Liberal media on the rise—Here’s how to pitch
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
People magazine will listen to pitches even if you aren’t a celebrity
The March 13 issue of PR Week includes an interview with Larry Hackett, managing editor of People magazine, who says you don’t have to be a celebrity to get into his magazine. “I think you have to look at your story and say, ‘Is this an extraordinary story?’ Is it about an individual that’s done an… Read More
InformationWeek editor offers pitching advice
Rob Preston, the new editor in chief of InformationWeek, feels a sense of urgency in showing readers how consumer products are starting to drive their jobs. “We are going to be upping our coverage a notch in the sense of urgency and depth,” Preston said. “That is going to be the overall tone we bring… 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–To improve your pitches, think like a freelance writer
Mike Spinney of The Horn Group has the perfect solution for PR people who are stuck with drab, uninspired ideas that turn into lifeless pitches. Think like a freelance writer, his blog post says. “Forget about the bland brochure-speak that the client regurgitates and think about the story as if your next paycheck depends upon selling your… 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