Does an author’s appearance on “Oprah” automatically guarantee fame and fortune? My good friend Dan Janal, president of PR Leads, a company that provides leads from working journalists, and a former journalist himself, is skeptical. Last week, he blogged here and said he doubted whether any author could sell more than $10,000 worth of books after just one… Read More
Publicist
How to use Craigslist for publicity
If you’re looking for a job, an apartment, a date, or people in your own community with common interests, you probably already know about Craigslist. But did you realize you can also use these free online community classifieds and forums to promote an event, announce a new employee, advertise a workshop months before it will… Read More
What to do when you pitch a story idea, the reporter stalls and won’t cover it
A publicist emailed me last week, asking my advice on this dilemma. She pitched a story about her client, whose company is the local angle to a major national business story. A reporter from a big newspaper (one that most Publicity Hounds would give their right paws to get into), bit on the idea in… Read More
Firm absent from ‘Small PR Firm of the Year’ list fights back with letter to the editor
I posted an item earlier this week about how to fight bias in the media, and one of my tips was to write a letter to the editor of publications you think have treated you unfairly. This morning, I came across a perfect example while reading the Jan. 30 issue of PR Week. Ronn Torossian, president and CEO of… Read More
Critique the president’s State of the Union address
OK, all you speech coaches. This is the night you’ve been waiting for, so don’t blow it. President Bush will deliver his State of the Union address to Congress and people all across America at 9 PM Eastern Time. But this is YOUR night to shine, speech coaches. That’s because if you’re smart, you’ll offer… Read More
Create media kits that scream ‘Read me!’
Back in September, just before McGraw-Hill published Maria Grace’s book “Reel Fulfillment: A 12-step Plan for Transforming Your Life Through Movies,” Maria worked with me to create a media kit that would scream “Read me!” She joined The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, and I helped her with the eight items that needed to go inside… Read More
Address the expectations of your PR clients
When a meeting planner wants to hire me, or a PR firm wants me to train their staff on how to generate publicity, or someone says they want to join The Publicity Hound Mentor Program, the first question I ask is, “What, exactly, do you want me to help you do?” Occasionally, somebody says, “I… Read More
Publicity tips for musicians
When musicians email me asking for publicity tips, I share my best advice. Then I lead them to Bob Baker’s website. Bob is a writer, independent musician and former music magazine editor who is dedicated to showing musicians how to get exposure and publicity, connect with fans, sell more CDs, and book more gigs. Here… Read More
How to find a publicist
It happened again this week. Two Publicity Hounds called and asked for my recommendation for a publicist. They expected me to rattle off a list of my top three choices, including contacting information. As I stated in my ebook “How to Hire the Perfect Publicist,” I rarely if ever do that because I don’t know… Read More
How to find PR clients
It baffles me why so many PR people complain about a lack of business yet never think of offering to present a program to their local Rotary or Kiwanis Club on how to get publicity. When they grumble that they don’t have enough clients, I suggest they create an inexpensive information product on how to… Read More