One of the biggest errors Publicity Hounds make when launching a publicity campaign is not creating a system for capturing people’s email addresses at their websites. How do I know? Because when somebody scores a big publicity hit, they often see a big spike in website traffic. Then the traffic starts to slow, and I receive an… Read More
Promotions
California household labor website needs promotion ideas
Kare Anderson of Sausalito, California writes: “I am a friend of Jenna Raby, co-founder of the company Labor Fair, an online referral community of reliable, quality workers for all on-demand household labor. Consumers get free, real-time access to hundreds of local worker profiles, pictures and professional references. And consumers connect directly with already available, qualified but… Read More
Opening a bank branch? Display origami dollar bills
Publicity Hound Brian Foley read last week’s item in which I complained about those uncreative ribbon-cutting and check-passing ceremonies that seem to be everywhere. He loved my idea of a bank hiring a magician to perform magic tricks with dollar bills at its grand opening. Brian, a professional magician who does exactly that, offered another tip… Read More
Spa publicity, promotion is easy with this story idea
I can think of no better treat than a day, or even a few hours, at my favorite spa. Until I read an amazing article on the front page of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about how the local day spas are the newest hangouts for teens and little girls. Girls as young as 8 are no… Read More
BBB Torch Awards great for credibility, publicity
I joined the Better Business Bureau last year because using its logo on my homepage really adds to my website’s credibility. So I was stunned to learn recently that the Wisconsin BBB has to practically beg people to apply for its annual Torch Awards for business ethics and integrity. I’m applying for the award this year, so I… Read More
Michigan driver’s ed school needs publicity ideas
Roger Pozeznik of Kalamazoo, Michigan writes: “I run All-Star Driver Education in Ann Arbor. Two other big driving schools in town seem to have a monopoly and have gotten lazy with there teaching skills. It’s frustrating to see that they have full classes. “The school I work for is very well-known on the east side… Read More
Ribbon-cutting event? You can do better than that
I know you’ve seen photos just like this one hundreds of times. It’s called a ribbon-cutting event, complete with the giant cardbaord scissors, and it’s one of the most-photographed, most boring ways to try to generate publicity. Equally repugnant are those giant cardboard checks that somebody “presents” to someone else, usually when a company or a group… Read More
Ergonomics consultants need publicity tips
Kay Richardson of Miami, Florida writes: “I need help with publicity ideas for Work Smart with Ergonomics, Inc., an ergonomic consulting/training company. We provide assessments for businesses that have employees that may be complaining of wrist, neck, back and shoulder pains while sitting at their desk performing typing, researching (surfing) and speaking on the phone,… Read More
How to promote an online gift registry for single women
Felicia Coley of Rochester, New York writes: “Over the holidays, I launched The Well-Heeled Society. It’s the first online gift registry that’s exclusively for single women. “With us being the ‘it girls’ thanks to the backlash of The New York Times quoting the U.S. Census, which clumps 15 year-olds and up into our ‘eligible single status’,… Read More
Bad restaurant review? Fight back with a blog
Here’s another tool for restaurant owners who receive bad restaurant reviews and want to fight back. Start blogging, and review the reviewers. That’s exactly what Roberto Donna, owner of Bebo Trattoria in Arlington, Va., is doing. He’s upset about the factual errors in a review his restaurant received in this month’s issue of Washingtonian magazine. So… Read More