It’s not even December yet, and the sparks are already flying. In some ranks, it’s no longer Christmas Eve. Now it’s “Holiday Eve.” Others don’t send Christmas greetings. They send “holiday greetings.” As for that tree…you guessed it. It’s now a “holiday tree.” On AM and FM radio stations and on TV talk shows, the… Read More
Pitching
Story ideas for the day-after-Thanksgiving shopping
Brick-and-mortar retailers refer to the day after Thanksgiving as Black Friday, the official start of the Christmas shopping season. Whatever you call it, you’ve got opportunities galore to tie your product or service to it. Think trends. Here are some ideas to get you started: —Credit counselors should remind us about how credit card companies… Read More
Getting to know reporters will help you learn how to pitch reporters
When blogger Connie Bennett comes across an article on the dangers of sugar, she posts an item about it to her Sugar Shock! blog. She links to the article, then takes an extra little step that will generate publicity down the road. She emails the reporter who wrote the article and mentions that she linked… Read More
Travel writers complain about lazy PR people
For every PR person who grouses about a rude, inconsiderate journalist, there’s a journalist complaining about a lazy PR person. And the writers are sharing their gripes online. Thanks to Publicity Hound Lori Lisi of Joshua, Texas for pointing out this interesting thread at a discussion board for travel writers. Their gripes include PR people… Read More
Pitch Christmas story ideas early
I heard a news report yesterday that many retailers already had stocked their shelves with Christmas decorations and gift items a week before Halloween. Why? Because they’re hoping to get your money before the utility companies do. Skyrocketing natural gas prices this winter might force consumers to spend less on holiday gifts once they see… Read More
How to pitch story ideas to the media
Publicity Hounds in my mentoring program hear me harp repeatedly that they should never pitch a magazine unless they hold it in their hands, read it thoroughly and search for clues inside that will help them craft an irresistible pitch. So before Michelle Tennant of Wasabi Publicity, Inc. pitched an idea about her client, artist… Read More
How to research reporters and other media contacts
As I was writing the previous tip about the “Coats for Kids” drive, I couldn’t remember all the details. So I Googled weatherman Vince Condella. Here’s what I learned about him within about 30 seconds: –He rides a Harley. –He’s a “Seinfeld” junkie. –He likes guitar music, quality coffee and ice hockey. –He was named… Read More
Piggyback off Media Charities
I never guarantee you’ll get publicity by following my tips. But this tip falls into the category of an “almost guarantee.” While watching the local FOX TV news recently, I saw a short news item about a group of first-graders at a Milwaukee elementary school. They were shown singing a song to the tune of… Read More
Pitch these Halloween ideas for publicity
From now until October 31, the media will be reporting an anything even remotely connected to Halloween. So start thinking about ways you can piggyback off this holiday—the second biggest retail holiday of the year. Here are some ideas to get you started: —Roadside markets, nurseries and agricultural associations can offer tips on how to… Read More
Pitch the Religion News Service for publicity on religion, spirituality topics
If you have a story idea about values, religion, spirituality or philanthropy, consider pitching it to reporters at the Religion News Service, owned by Newhouse News Service. The news service has more than 100 secular clients, including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, U.S. News & World… Read More