The crazy coloring book craze is the perfect opportunity to piggyback onto this trend and drum up a little publicity for you and your business. You can do this two ways. You can pitch journalists and bloggers with a story idea that ties into coloring books and your area of expertise. I’ve given you lots… Read More
Retail Marketing
Association of Publishers for Special Sales Needs Leaders to Start Local Chapters
This guest post was written by Brian Jud, an author, book-marketing consultant, seminar leader, television host, President of Book Marketing Works and a partner in Premium Book Company that sells books to non-bookstore buyers on a non-returnable, commission basis. Brian is the author of How to Make Real Money Selling Books (Without Worrying About Returns) and Beyond… Read More
5 tips for getting fiction or nonfiction books into Costco, Walmart, Target
A quick trip down the aisles of your local Costco might leave you wondering how—or if—you could ever get your book onto the store’s shelves. Most of the books I saw at my local Costco in Grafton, Wisc., yesterday have “New York Times Best Seller” on the top of the cover. That makes sense. Competition for… Read More
Offer freebies, pull customers with a Twitter whisper campaign
Take a cue from Sprinkles Cupcakes, an oh-so-publicity-savvy cupcake chain that has amassed more than 115,000 followers on Twitter with a “whisper” campaign. Several times a week, it tweets a secret phrase. Customers who go to one of the Sprinkles stores and whisper it get either a freebie or a discount. Buy a cupcake, get a… Read More
6 ways to promote your retail business before you open
Create a buzz all over town long before your store opens. These days, in a sour economy, businesses opening just about anywhere are major news. So don’t shy away from publicity. Here six ways to promote your retail business before you open. Display a large banner or sign outside your building letting people know you’ll… Read More
Florist needs ideas, events to promote shop online and offline
Cheryl Muskus of Oak Creek, WI, writes: “I’m the owner of The CarmelRose, a floral shop, and I’m looking for ways to generate publicity in a very competitive market. “Even though our industry is hurt to a large extent when obituaries state ‘in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to…,” we’re trying to form relationships with… Read More
11 publicity tips for retailers who sell tea—or anything else
Publicity Hound Ruth Furman, a PR specialist and a speaker at this weekend’s World Tea Expo in Las Vegas will be among panelists who will discuss ways tea retailers can generate publicity. She asked if I could provide some tips for her handout, and I thought I’d share them here. These tips are written specifically… Read More
How can a Texas veterinarian promote organic dog shampoos?
Dr. Shawn Messonnier, a veterinarian and award-winning author from Plano, Texas, writes: “I would love ideas from other Hounds on how to promote my new line of certified organic pet shampoos. “They’re currently available online only at http://www.drshawnspetorganics.com but should be available at retail outlets sometime next year. “I’d like to reach as many… Read More
Philadelphia remodeling firm needs marketing ideas
Teresa Berger of North Wales, Pennsylvania writes: “As marketing director for Creative Contracting, Inc., a Philadelphia-area design/build remodeling firm, it’s my responsibility to get the company and its ownership more exposure in the community. The owner wants me to get him in front of more people, and find outlets for giving seminars and speeches to consumers, business networking organizations… 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