Quick. Find your media hit list—the list of media you have pitched recently either for your own story idea or one for a PR client. Now, scan the list. I’ll bet you a bag of dog treats that the Associated Press isn’t on the list. That news powerhouse is frequently forgotten by PR people. Yet the AP… Read More
Pitching
Authors, the media don’t care about your books
I know that sounds harsh, but it’s true. If you’re trying to generate publicity for your book, you’re going about it all wrong. You should be generating publicity for your expertise. That’s one of the topics I discussed when I was a guest on Stacy Harp’s Blog Talk Radio show for Active Christian Media on… Read More
Need story ideas? Here are 6 to pitch in March
This time of year, with no major holidays around the corner, you might be hurting for story ideas. Here are several for the month of March, suggested by Shawne Duperon, a TV producer, and me, when we hosted a teleseminar on 116 WOW! Story Ideas from January through June. Remember that if you’re pitching TV, it… Read More
6 ways to romance journalists with your pitch
Let journalists know you care, and they will care about what you know, says publicity expert Jill Lublin. I first heard her say that about 10 years ago, and I’ve never forgotten it because she’s right. When I worked as a newspaper editor and reporter for more than two decades, I accepted and rejected thousands… Read More
Tomorrow: How to pitch Oprah, GMA, other big shows
Not every Publicity Hound belongs on “Good Morning, America.” Even fewer belong on “Oprah.” If your topic isn’t right for the audiences that watch those shows, don’t even bother contacting the producers. But if it is, you could strike gold. Tomorrow, Steve Harrison will host a free 90-minute teleseminar on the three biggest tips… Read More
Look far beyond your topic for publicity ideas
When you’re looking for a publicity opportunity, don’t just concentrate on your core product, service, cause or issue. In many cases, there’s plenty going on inside your organization—or your home—worth sharing. The most recent issue of the Nonprofit Communications Report includes several clever ideas. (Order a free sample of the report here.) “The head chef… Read More
Pitch unusual angles, like witches, on how to sell a home
The housing market, which is still flat throughout most of the U.S., offers a timely opportunity to pitch stories to journalists, broadcasters and bloggers about unusual techniques for selling homes. This morning’s Wall Street Journal, for example, had a Page 1 story on how The Housing Slump Has Salem on a Witch Hunt Again. Buyers… Read More
CEOs: Unusual hobbies, collections? Forbes wants you
Think beyond the office when you’re pitching stories about yourself or your company to journalists and bloggers. If your CEO has an unusual hobby or collection, Kym McNicholas of Forbes wants to know about it. She’s an anchor/reporter for the Forbes Video Network and reports and produces mostly video business stories. She she also contributes to… Read More
Hyper-local Patch.com covers 600+ communities
Here’s another website to add to your media list consider if you want publicity for local news. It’s Patch.com and it already covers more than 600 communities and neighborhoods in California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.… Read More
Make event promotion/PR easy: 27 questions spark ideas
When you’re brainstorming ideas to promote your next special event, use this shortcut: My list of 27 questions designed to get you thinking creatively about how to generate publicity. The answers will help you identify juicy angles, compelling pitches and other content the media and bloggers will want to know about. I’ll share several dozen more… Read More