Generating publicity for a big event this fall or winter? Don’t put so much thought and effort into getting a big two-page spread—complete with photos, maps and a schedule of events—in your local daily newspaper, then overlook a critical little detail that can land you in hot water. Don’t forget about securing a spot on… Read More
Special Events
Fake press passes: If you use them or see them, contact me
I attend a popular trade show each year where several people I know create fake press passes so they don’t have to pay the hefty admission fee. It’s easier than ever, thanks to desktop publishing. But get caught, and you risk looking like a cheapskate. Even worse, you can ruin your reputation within that industry.… Read More
Publicity tips–Want a celebrity at your special event? Follow these tips
Hoping to book a big-name celebrity for your next special event? It’s not as easy as it sounds. One thing must remember is that for celebrities, time is their most precious commodity. That’s one of several tips from Rita Tateel, president of The Celebrity Source in Hollywood,California whose company recruits celebrities for special events. Rita… Read More
Publicity tip—OverTime magazine wants gift bag items for The Billies gala
OverTime Magazine, an elite business and lifestyle publication that serves readers with a household income of $1.5 million, is looking for items to distribute in gift bags for 25 VIP guests and female professional athletes at The Billies dinner benefit gala featuring Sir Elton John. The Billies is scheduled for April 20 at The Beverly… Read More
Publicity tip–Attend business journal meetings on how to use the paper as a prospecting tool
If the business journal in the town where you live invites you to attend a meeting at the paper where you’ll learn lots of tips on how to use the newspaper as a sales tool, you’d be crazy not to go. Thanks to Publicity Hound Carol Rehak of Milwaukee, Wisconsin for tipping me off to the invitation… Read More
Publicity tips–Raleigh Pinskey coming to Wisconsin May 5 to speak to professional speakers
I’ve already reserved May 5 for Raleigh Pinskey. She’s one of my favorite Publicity Hounds, and she’ll be in Wisconsin to present a half-day program to the Wisconsin chapter of the National Speakers Association that morning. It’s called “How To Joint Venture With The Media For Power & Profit, Fame & Fortune.” I can’t think of anybody… Read More
Pitch Jay Leno for special event publicity
Promise me that after you read this item, you won’t pester Jay Leno’s staff with a boring idea that could put his late-night audience to sleep. If you watch Leno, like I do, you know his “correspondents” travel far and wide to fun events where they can film whacky segments, from John Melendez going belly-to-belly… Read More
How to Generate Publicity at Trade Shows
Most people who exhibit at trade shows overlook a powerful publicity tool that’s just waiting for their news. It’s the trade show daily, the newspaper that offers a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening that day at the show. When I first attended the BookExpo America convention last year, I was kicking myself for not paying… Read More
How to Create a Buzz with Special Events Publicity
As I watched Tiger Woods sink his putt on Sunday to win the British Open, I couldn’t help but wonder whether the Porta Potties on the golf course at St. Andrews in Scotland had pretty toilet paper and delicate hand towels. I doubt it. But every time I watch golf on TV, I’m curious about… Read More
Stop passing checks and passing it off as news
Publicity Hound Marilynn Mobley of Atlanta, Georgia writes with this comment about my advice two weeks ago to stop staging boring check-passing photos: “AMEN to your advice about how dreadful ‘passing the check’ photos are. I thought you might be interested to know that they can actually be dangerous as well. “Recently, I picked up… Read More