Donald Hansen of The Viking Trader, a company that makes Nordic jewelry, wrote today to thank me and the rest of the Publicity Hounds for their wonderful suggestions a few months ago on how he can market his Nordic jewelry. His question was posted in my ezine, “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week,” and… Read More
Special Events
Don’t offer exclusivity for special event photos
If the situation warrants it, some Publicity Hounds like to give a particular story to their favorite media that reaches a large audience. If a certain newspaper or magazine knows they will get the story first, they will be more inclined to cover you–as long as it’s a good story. With photos, however, that isn’t… Read More
Pitch “Before you go” info boxes
If you’re publicizing an event, consider providing the media with a small summary of key information that can be included in a “Before You Go” box to accompany the main article reporters are writing. Editors love using these boxes, which can include information such as how to order tickets, how to get to the event,… Read More
Promoting a law firm anniversary
Chris Joy of Methuan, Massachusetts wants to know how she can promote her client, an old and well-established law firm that merged with another firm. The new firm is celebrating its fifth anniversary. From Nicole Lipson of Marietta, Georgia: “To celebrate five years, each lawyer could pledge five hours a month for the next year… Read More
No more boring ribbon-cutting ceremonies
When Dan Collins had to drum up publicity for the opening of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Women’s Health and Medicine at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, he stayed away from the cliche ribbon-cutting ceremony. Instead, he thought of as many news angles as he could. There were the “magnet physicians” the hospital… Read More
Don’t let poor planning ruin your special event
In the more than two decades I worked as a newspaper editor, I saw one special event planner after another moan and complain that the media didn’t give them enough publicity to draw huge crowds–resulting in special events that were colossal flops. In many cases, it wasn’t the media’s fault. The event planners did it… Read More
Schmoozing at trade shows
Trade shows are great places to take reporters to lunch and to generate all kinds of publicity. Among the thousands of attendees at trade shows, you’ll sometimes find hundreds of reporters who are hungry for stories about new products and interesting people behind the products. But you must do your homework. –Even before you pack… Read More
Use daybooks to publicize Washington, D.C. special events
If you’re publicizing an event in Washington, D.C., be sure to submit your news to the Washington daybooks, the media’s source of events. By doing so, you can reach hundreds of major media outlets at no charge. While this is one method of driving the news cycle with a timely and newsworthy event, editors stress… Read More
Machine shop can use trade shows, clever mailings
Tom Monroe, Jr. of Detroit, Michigan wants ideas on how to promote his production machine shop, which services the manufacturing industry. Its niche market is providing production tapping and drilling of metal parts. From Toni Graeme of Victoria, BC, Canada: “How about a brainstorming group with someone from the advertising field you know who is… Read More
The Business Journal’s Book of Lists party
It was a night of swashbuckling fun, complete with a pirate treasure game, foods of the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas, and even a special “Pirate’s Pleasure” drink made with Goldschlager, triple sec and rum. It was The Business Journal’s annual Book of Lists bash at a downtown Milwaukee hotel on January 20, in honor of… Read More