{"id":9090,"date":"2018-12-04T19:27:06","date_gmt":"2018-12-04T19:27:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/publicityhound.com\/tips\/?p=9090"},"modified":"2024-04-25T14:42:01","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T14:42:01","slug":"hilarious-horrifying-pr-pitches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/purelysupp.com\/publicity\/tips-of-the-week\/hilarious-horrifying-pr-pitches\/","title":{"rendered":"Hilarious, Horrifying PR Pitches"},"content":{"rendered":"

Issue #1281 Dec. 4,\u00a02018
\nPublisher: Joan Stewart<\/p>\n

“Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity”<\/h2>\n

In This Issue<\/strong><\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Hilarious, Horrifying PR Pitches<\/li>\n
  2. Tips for Pitching Podcasters<\/li>\n
  3. Today: Free Training on TV Publicity<\/li>\n
  4. Hound\u00a0Video\u00a0of the Week<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    This Week in the Hound House:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    I’m dog-sitting for RJ<\/strong> and Stella<\/strong>, two adorable miniature Dachshunds. Unlike other small breeds that I can scoop up with one arm, these have to be picked up using two hands because of their long backs.The hot dog was named after the Dachshund. In fact, hot dogs were originally called dachshund dogs but the name changed when people had too much trouble spelling it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    1. Hilarious, Horrifying PR Pitches<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    Awful PR pitches are so prevalent that the folks at Muck Rack now feature a monthly round-up of tweets from journalists who are featuring the worst ones.<\/p>\n

    From November’s collection, here’s one from Sonia Aslam<\/strong>, a producer\/reporter for a Vancouver radio station.<\/p>\n

    ***<\/p>\n

    Them: “Hi, we sent a release this morning, are you sending your camera?”<\/p>\n

    Me: “You know you’ve reached a radio station right?”<\/p>\n

    Them: “So, there’s no camera?”<\/p>\n

    Nailed it.<\/p>\n

    ***<\/p>\n

    One of the worst ways to pitch is by opening with, Hi. Hope you’re having a great day.” Journalists seldom have great days. They’re overworked, underpaid and often cynical.<\/p>\n

    To do:<\/strong> Know if you’re pitching a TV station or a radio station, a newspaper or a magazine, a man or a woman. Spend a few minutes doing a little research and look for their Twitter stream, blog or other important clues that will help you avoid these embarrassing gaffes. See the other nasty pitches in “This month in bad PR pitches.”<\/a><\/p>\n

    #BadPitches #MediaRelations<\/p>\n

    2. Tips for Pitching Podcasters<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    If you’ve identified a popular podcast where you’d like to be interviewed, listen to several shows before you pitch.<\/p>\n

    You need to know if the podcaster features guests. Doing your homework will help you learn more about the show’s format, the interviewer and whether you’re a good fit.<\/p>\n

    Here’s another tip I just discovered, courtesy of Brittney Lynn<\/strong>, a publicist for entrepreneurs who specializes in podcasts.<\/p>\n

    Brittney offers from 5 to 10 potential topics for the podcast interview. This makes her pitch stand out. And she says podcasters almost always pick the topics she\u2019s recommended, making it easier on her client to prepare.<\/p>\n

    If you offer just one topic, the podcaster has two choices: yes or no. Give the host a choice of yeses.<\/p>\n

    To do:<\/strong> Read Jennifer Lawlor’s<\/strong> article “How to pitch podcasts: 4 tips for success.<\/a>” Also, see my article on 15 ways to promote your own podcast.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

    #Podcasting #PitchingPodcasters<\/p>\n

    3. Today: Free Training on TV Publicity<\/h3>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    If you’re trying to get onto a big TV talk show, start by visiting the show’s website and look for the phrase “be on the show.”<\/p>\n

    Producers sometimes have an idea for a compelling segment and need three or four guests who can discuss the topic. Rachael Ray has a long list of show ideas here.<\/a><\/p>\n

    Authors, speakers, and experts who are relationship experts might fit in well on this segment.<\/p>\n

    That’s just one of many tips, however. Join Steve Harrison<\/strong> on a free 90-minute telephone seminar at 2 or 7 p.m. Eastern Time today, Dec. 4.<\/strong> He\u2019ll interview a group of his producer friends who tell you EXACTLY what they want:<\/p>\n