A reader just emailed me with this question: “I live in the Caribbean and am publishing a Real Estate Guide. However, there are two major dailies in my country and they are very territorial and do not want to feature my company or my magazine because we are indirect competitors. “I sent one of the dailies a press release… Read More
Pitching
Publicity tips on how to be the local angle to the Olympics coverage
I can hardly tear myself away from the Olympics coverage on NBC. I know, I know. The ratings were never lower, and most of you are a lot happier watching “American Idol,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” But I don’t care. From the couch where I’m sitting, there’s more gripping drama in one hour of… Read More
Valentine’s Day publicity ideas that worked
It’s too late for most of you to get into the news today by using a Valentine’s Day pitch, but remind yourself to start pitching Valentine’s Day ideas early enough next year. Here are some creative ways others have piggybacked onto Valentine’s Day: —Friday’s Wall Street Journal included an interesting article about how February 14… Read More
What to do when you pitch a story idea, the reporter stalls and won’t cover it
A publicist emailed me last week, asking my advice on this dilemma. She pitched a story about her client, whose company is the local angle to a major national business story. A reporter from a big newspaper (one that most Publicity Hounds would give their right paws to get into), bit on the idea in… Read More
Dateline’s troubling predator program begs for comment, follow-up
After watching “To Catch a Predator” on NBC’s “Dateline” Friday night, I was so upset I could hardly sleep. It was the third installment of a show that illustrates a growing and horrific epidemic in the U.S.—grown men, trolling the web searching for minors in hopes of engaging in sex. To expose them, “Dateline” set up… Read More
8 things that are not newsworthy, so don’t bother pitching them
Lisa Manyon, who is developing a series of classes for small-business owners through the Idaho Small Business Development Center, including a segment on free publicity, asked me to explain the difference between events that are newsworthy and those that aren’t. If you follow my tips, you already know what most of them are—everything from trends that you’re… Read More
How to piggyback onto the “Million Little Pieces” controversy
Good for Oprah for finally admitting she was wrong and standing up to James Frey, the author who embarrassed her by fabricating parts of his book “A Million Little Pieces,” the story of his recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction. The book zoomed to top of the best-seller’s list and sold 3.5 million copies after… Read More
Critique the president’s State of the Union address
OK, all you speech coaches. This is the night you’ve been waiting for, so don’t blow it. President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address to Congress and people all across America at 9 PM Eastern Time. But this is YOUR night to shine, speech coaches. That’s because if you’re smart, you’ll offer… Read More
Crain’s Chicago editor offers tips on how to get into his paper
I swear I’m not making this up. PR people actually call newspapers and ask journalists, “Can you help me get a client into your paper?” As in, “My butt’s in a sling, and I need a media hit—fast!” As in, “I can’t convince anybody else to write about this guy. Do you mind if we… Read More
Pitch story ideas tied to retirement and living longer
Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal includes an excellent special section on retirement planning, living to a ripe old age, and the demands that longevity places on finances and personal ties. “Think you’ll make it to your 100th birthday? Don’t answer too quickly,” says editor Glenn Ruffenach. As the first batch of Baby Boomers nears retirement, this topic is becoming… Read More