Publicist

Pitching online newspapers worth your time

Many publicists pay more attention to pitching reporters at print publications like daily newspapers, and less time pitching reporters who write for the online versions. Here are four reasons why that’s a mistake: 1. Newspapers are continuing to tighten their print publications because of the high cost of newsprint. 2. Some smaller daily papers are… Read More

How to get your product into celebrities’ hands

Princess Grace once said this about Estee Lauder: “I don’t know her very well, but she keeps sending me all these things…” Estee Lauder would mail her homemade cosmetics to celebrities she didn’t know. She’d even give them to stars she spotted on the street. The constant practice of gifting celebrities with her cosmetics is what many say… Read More

PR Web: Disband your Press Release Police

I’ve been a huge proponent of PRWeb, the press release distribution service, because of its great customer service and the rave reviews from publicists whose press releases get fabulous pick-up. But I don’t like what I’m hearing about the company’s Press Release Police who are hassling writers like BL Ochman, one of my favorite press release writers of all time, and award-winning publicist… Read More

Video pitching will become overused

Thanks to Publicity Hound Laura Jackson for calling attention to the issue of video pitching—in other words, pitching a blogger by creating a clever video in which you are shown delivering the pitch. Blogger Jeremiah Owyang, a web strategist shown here, posted this item in which he raved about the clever video pitch from two authors who wanted… Read More

Publicist wants tips on how to deal with impatient clients

Gail Sideman of Milwaukee, Wisconsin writes: “I’m what the business calls a veteran publicist and media relations professional who has landed quality hits, and believes she does a good job in explaining how a PR or publicity campaign works to those who have never been involved in one. “I outline the fact that an online newsroom… Read More

How are you generating publicity from the primaries?

How are Publicity Hounds generating publicity by piggybacking onto the presidential primaries? Bloggers, how are you tying into the campaign to pull traffic to your blog? Speech coaches, are you critiquing the candidate debates? Leadership experts, are you commenting on Barack Obama’s appeal? Did Hillary Clinton lose or gain points when she almost cried this… Read More

Pay-per-placement PR pros and cons

If you’re on a shoestring budget, pay-per-placement PR isn’t for you. But if you have the money to spend, it can land you on a top TV show or in a top-tier newspaper or magazine quicker than if you tried to pitch yourself. Rather than paying a publicist or PR firm a retainer, regardless of whether they… Read More

Black Friday can be like gold for Publicity Hounds

Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, is aptly named as the day when retailers shift into profitability or move “into the black.” But it can be like gold for Publicity Hounds. Here’s why: First, the media are often working with skeleton staffs. Second, PR people and even some publicists take the day off. That means less competition for your… Read More

Authors lose during writers’ strike

An article in Publishers Weekly says the Hollywood writers’ strike is affecting authors by suspending production of the late night talk shows that publicists rely on when launching a book to a national audience. Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart, for example, had interviews scheduled this week with Karen Greenberg, author of The Torture… Read More