Patch.com, the uber-local news site that operates in more than 800 communities throughout the U.S., wants to hear your story ideas for a new series called “Dispatches: The Changing American Dream.” Stories will run occasionally and will focus on how residents and businesses are dealing with issues such as lack of jobs, foreclosures and debt. “We don’t think… Read More
Pitching
Pitching journalists? How to avoid ‘spraying & praying’
Raise your hand if you’ve done this: You’ve sent an identical pitch to several journalists. In PR circles, that’s called the “spray and pray” technique. You might even spray it to dozens, perhaps even hundreds, of journalists. And then you pray that somebody will bite. They almost never do. Here’s why: Because it isn’t personalized, journalists can… Read More
Rachael Ray, Regis & Kelly execs to share pitching tips
If you’re trying to get onto one of the big TV talk shows, the best place to start is usually at the show’s website. But knowing where to look, and making sure your pitch stands out from all the rest, can be near impossible. That’s why Publicity Hounds who want to be on shows like… Read More
Muck Rack lists 140+ journalists on Google+
It’s far too early to conclude whether Google+ is a valuable social media platform, or simply the newest shiny thing, even though self-proclaimed Google+ “experts” are multiplying like rabbits. It’s worth nothing, however, that Muck Rack, the site that tracks major journalists and what they’re writing about on Twitter, has listed more than 140 journalists… Read More
How would you rewrite this pitch for women’s magazines?
Juliet Hartley of St. Petersburg, Fla., writes: “I’ve been sending a lot of pitches to different magazines about my chic handmade hair accessories at BowAllure.com, but I just don’t hear anything back from them. It’s very frustrating. “I’m attaching a copy of a pitch I sent to a few magazines and would love to hear your input. I’ve… Read More
7 phrases journalists hate hearing when you pitch
The next time you pitch a journalist, remember that what you don’t say is just as important that what you say. Mickie Kennedy of eReleases.com explains why journalists hate hearing these three phrases: 1. “Never seen anything like this.” 2. “When can we expect this to go up?” 3. “I know this isn’t your area,… Read More
5 reasons why PR interns shouldn’t be pitching the media
If you’re lucky enough to be hiring a PR intern this summer, don’t fall into the trap of letting them learn on the client’s nickel. There’s a good discussion at the Get Social PR blog where Rodger Johnson, a PR counselor and blogger, argues in favor of letting interns pitch, with supervision. “Interns need to learn how… Read More
Need local publicity? 6 tips for pitching Patch.com
If you need local publicity, and you live in one of 19 states in the United States, or the District of Columbia, Patch.com is almost begging for your pitch. A memo from Patch editor-in-chief Brian Farnham outlines a plan to increase traffic by increasing article production. Patch currently requires every site to post a minimum… Read More
15 ways to publicize a major publicity hit
The next time you generate publicity in a major newspaper or magazine, or at a blog, or you get onto a TV or radio show, don’t stop there. You also need to publicize your publicity. That’s what Michelle Tennant of Wasabi Publicity is doing, after landing her client, Landmark Education, in an article headlined Friendly Fight:… Read More
Piggyback onto the Royal Wedding with 70+ story ideas
Publicity guy Jerry Brown says the Royal Wedding on April 29, between Prince William and Kate Middelton, is the perfect opportunity for Publicity Hounds to “use headlines to make headlines.” He’s right. So here are my story ideas—yours for the taking. Authors who write about the topics below and speakers whose topics tie in should… Read More