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
Pitching
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
Today last day for publicity summit’s $800 discount
Update: Today, Wednesday, Sept. 22, is the last day to apply for the summit. Also, the price goes up after today, from 5,797 to $6,597 so if you still need to apply, go here. Today is the last day for the $800 discount to attend the National Publicity Summit, the Oct. 20-23 event in New… Read More
9 groups can use auto break-ins as timely publicity hook
Always keep your eye open for trends on which you can piggyback a story pitch, or offer free tips or advice. I found a great one on Friday when I checked into the Radisson Greentree in Pittsburgh. On the front counter, flyers alert guests to a nationwide rash of auto break-ins by thieves who are looking… Read More
23 ways to find targeted media where you want publicity
When you’re starting a publicity campaign or creating a year-long media plan, remember that the “spray and pray” technique of pitching hundreds of media outlets with the same one-size-fits all pitch, and then praying that they will respond, doesn’t work. Instead, you need to define the target audience you’re trying to reach, create story ideas about… Read More
How to turn a Golf Digest article into more publicity
When you land a big story in a magazine, it’s all too easy to become giddy with excitement, and miss doing the hard work necessary to “publicize the publicity” and turn one media hit into what can become multiple hits. Larry Jacobs reminded me of that a few days ago when he participated in the teleseminar… Read More