Issue #884 Jan. 10, 2015
Publisher: Joan Stewart
“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”
In This Issue
- Free Stuff Fridays
- February Pitching Opps
- Know Deadlines Before Pitching
- Hound Video of the Week
This Weekend in the Hound House:
Almost all the birds have disappeared from my backyard feeding station just outside the kitchen window. We’ve had sub-zero temps here in Wisconsin for the last week which should attract the birds, not discourage them from eating. Could it be poor-quality bird seed? Or bad-tasting suet cakes I made from scratch while slaving over a hot stove? As for that gorgeous birdseed wreath I told you about last week, they’ve hardly touched it. What am I doing wrong?
1. Free Stuff Fridays
Several local ABC stations throughout the U.S. feature “Free Stuff Fridays.”
It’s a Friday feature that lets viewers know about local businesses and nonprofits that are offering free stuff for adults and children any day of the week.
For example, Sam’s Club has offered free health screenings.
Williams Sonoma had free cooking classes for kids.
A karate studio in Texas invited people to hour-long classes in Tai Kwon-Do Karate.
A local YMCA had free exercise demonstrations, giveaways and refreshments at an open house.
Parks feature free movies.
And on and on…
I love this idea.
Bloggers, can you have your own Free Stuff Fridays? Consultants, you can give away a free cheat sheet at your blog in exchange for someone’s email address?
Authors, give away free ebooks on book review and recommendation sites like Goodreads.
Consider this idea for your Facebook page, too. WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge, La., promotes Free Stuff Fridays on Facebook and gives away gift certificates.
What free stuff can you offer on Friday?
2. February Pitching Opps
Plan now for the many major holidays, minor holidays and other seasonal events in February that are ripe for piggybacking a pitch.
–Feb. 1-7, International Coaching Week
–Groundhog Day, Feb. 2
–Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day
–Feb. 17, Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras)
–Feb. 20, Harry Potter Day
February is also National Time Management Month, Relationship Wellness Month, Black History Month and American Hearth Month. You can find dozens more ideas at Examiner.com.
3. Know Deadlines Before Pitching
Before you pitch anything, including the ideas mentioned above, know the deadlines for each outlet you’re pitching.
Pitch story ideas about Valentine’s Day for national magazines three to six months before the holiday.
Your local daily or weekly newspaper might want the same idea. You can pitch it a few weeks before Feb. 14.
Trying to get onto your local TV news? Sometimes you can pitch the day before and get on the next day. But it’s always better to give them several days notice.
Bloggers have deadline schedules all over the board. If you can’t find pitching info at their blogs, email and ask.
4. Hound Video of the Week
Here’s a fun compilation of clips showing Guilty Dogs Trying to Say “Sorry.”