Here’s a common problem Publicity Hounds run into when they’re so eager for publicity that they’ll do almost anything for a journalist. Last week, a reader asked, “I spent a lot of time talking to a reporter and we really hit it off. But when she wrote the article, I was surprised to see she… Read More
Publicist
Wall Street Journal section lists Boomer trends
If you market to Baby Boomers, get your hands on a copy of the Monday, September 26, issue of The Wall Street Journal. It included a special section called “Encore: a Guide to Retirement Planning and Living.” It’s packed with trends, statistics and other helpful facts that you can use when pitching story ideas that… Read More
Use more care when taking publicity photos
Whenever I send a news release about something I’ve done to my local newspapers or trade journals, I hardly ever hear feedback from my neighbors or peers, even when I know it’s been printed. But when I send my photo with the release and it’s printed, I hear a chorus that sounds like this: —“I… Read More
Pitch “how to” segments for TV talk shows, news
This time of year is perfect for pitching a “how to” segment for a local or national TV talk show or a newscast. For example: —Demonstrate how to carve a pumpkin. If you’re pitching to a local talk show, carve the local TV station’s call letters into the pumpkin. How in the world could a… Read More
OverTime magazine needs organizing experts
OverTime Magazine, the business and lifestyle guide for professional athletes, needs sources to write or contribute to a story tentatively titled “Thirteen Ways to Simplify Your Life in 2007.” Think of this as a “Don’t Stress the Small Stuff” for athletes. “We’re looking for writers, authors, experts in mental health, and especially people who work… Read More
Author needs help promoting inspirational book
Marsha Jordan of Harshaw, Wisconsin writes: “I’m the founder of a national nonprofit charity helping sick children and I’ve written a book to use as a fundraiser—a compilation of inspirational essays designed to encourage anyone dealing with difficulties and challenges of life. It’s illustrated with drawings by children battling cancer and other serious illnesses. It’s… Read More
How to get into Entertainment Weekly
The best publicist is one who understands that the media is their first client, says Carole Willcocks, Los Angeles bureau operations manager of Entertainment Weekly. If the publicist’s other client happens to be a hot-shot entertainer, that can be difficult. If you represent entertainters who want to get into Entertainment Weekly, read this interview courtesy… Read More
Pitch ethnic media
When publicist Miriam Silverberg took on Meli Melo, a French restaurant in New York City, as a client three years ago, she immediately got to work pitching ideas that would result in the greatest publicity possible. She dreamed, of course, of a four-star restaurant review in the New York Times. But she’s realistic enough to… Read More
From PMA University—4 principles for book publicity
Book publicist Alice Acheson gave 200 members of Publishers Marketing Association her four principles of publicity success this afternon at PMA University, the annual educational program for authors and publishers. Her principles are: 1. Start marketing the minute your book contract is signed. Write one paragraph about the book and one paragraph about the author,… Read More
From PMA University—Don’t let authors pitch book review editors
Kristen Matthews, book editor for the “Early Show” on CBS, says book publicists shouldn’t let their authors call book review editors like her and pitch a program segment. “Some of them can’t stand to hear the word no,” she told 200 members of the Publishers Marketing Association this afternoon. Others refuse to accept their publicist’s… Read More