Always keep your eye open for trends on which you can piggyback a story pitch, or offer free tips or advice. I found a great one on Friday when I checked into the Radisson Greentree in Pittsburgh. On the front counter, flyers alert guests to a nationwide rash of auto break-ins by thieves who are looking… Read More
TV News
9 of 10 pet owners say ‘I love you’ to their dogs & cats
If you have a dog or cat, I’m betting that, at least once, you’ve looked it in the eyes and said “I love you.” That’s because a clever survey by Iams, the pet food company, showed that 91 percent of customers it contacted several years ago admitted whispering those three little words to their furry… Read More
How to generate publicity from Pi Day
Piggybacking publicity onto popular or obscure days, weeks and months of the year is one of the easiest ways to find your way into the media, and I give lots of examples in my ebook, How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound. Here’s one of the more obscure days of the year. It’s Pi… Read More
Ideas needed on how to promote an expert on mold
Susan Murphy of Pleasant Ridge, MI writes: I’m looking for some interesting avenues in which to promote our client, an environmental scientist who specializes in toxic mold education, detection and remediation. Connie Morbach, M.S. CHMM CIE, is a respected national authority in indoor air quality (IAQ) who has performed over 10,000 residential/commercial air tests and… Read More
Product publicity is easier if you can get into gift sections
If you have a consumer product that would make a great gift for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Graduation Day, or the holidays, try to get into one of the many holiday gift sections featured by newspapers and magazines, or featured in holiday gift coverage on TV and radio. Most of this coverage does NOT require that… Read More
Authors: Pitch issues & shows, not your books
If you’re writing a book, here’s a tip that savvy authors already know. When you’re trying to get onto a TV or radio show, never pitch your book. As soon as guest bookers realize you’re peddling a book, you’re toast. Instead, pitch a relevant issue that’s tied to the book. Also, pitch an entire show so… Read More
Pay-for-placement spreading to TV news
When I watch “The Sopranos,” my eyes are riveted on their refrigerator and kitchen cupboards, hoping to catch a peek at what America’s most dysfunctional mob family is eating these days. Son AJ chows down on Kellogg’s Corn Pops, and papa bear Tony guzzles Tropicana orange juice right out of the carton. Those product manufacturers… Read More
Fitness, weight loss still big during February sweeps
Several weeks ago, I posted an item about how January was a big month for fitness and weight loss stories, because people were trying to get back on track after the holidays. The media’s love for these stories spills into February, one of three Sweeps months. Today, for example, “Oprah” is supposed to feature a woman… Read More
TV loves fitness, diet stories during January
My Jazzercise instructor has already warned us to be braced for packed classes this month. That’s because this is the month when everybody tries to take off what they gained over the holidays. TV stations everywhere want to know about these stories. Here’s an almost guaranteed way to get your company on the local TV… 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