Publicist Roberta Stein of Skokie, IL, needs ideas for generating publicity for her client. She writes:
Dr. Steven Steinberg, once a practicing dentist with a thriving practice, had his career cut short when a van pulled in front of his bicycle one weekend morning.
Badly hurt, he was diagnosed with permanent hand tremors, and later diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. His despair led him to re-evaluate life.
He emerged as a powerful speaker and wrote Light, Love, Life, Shalom: Your Path to Happiness at Work and at Home. The book encourages readers not to ask, “Why me?” But instead to ask, “In the presence of life’s challenges, how can I achieve happiness, joy and inner peace?”
An observant Jew, his faith has not been shaken, but his mission to help people of all faiths has been strengthened. People would greatly benefit from his inspirational comments and he would make a powerful guest on TV and radio shows.
I’m hoping your Publicity Hounds can offer some ideas on how to spread the word about Dr. Steinberg in traditional and social media. You can find his website here.
I have three ideas, Roberta:
–Contact the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and let them know about what he’s done. He’d make a perfect interview for their magazine or newsletter.
–Make sure Dr. Steinberg has a profile on Goodreads at http://www.Goodreads.com and is active on that site. It’s the largest book review site in the world.
–Contact Jewish print and broadcast media and bloggers.
Let’s see what other great ideas my Publicity Hounds can suggest.
Roberta,
Can you sync the book around the Jewish holidays?
Besides Goodreads, you might want to investigate other places like Shelfari, The Millions, etc.
Best of luck to you and the doctor,
GK Zachary
Love it! Thanks, Zachary.
I would also think contacting the American Dental Society, etc. would be a possibility. He is a former dentist and would relate to that audience. They have seminars, etc. where he might be considered as a speaker. He could also address dental schools – graduation speaker perhaps? They also have trade publications where his story could be told.
Has he looked into the Speakers’ Bureau? Illinois has an active chapter that is part of a national one.
What great subject matter to work with!
Shirley
Shirley, I love your idea for the dental society. Looking for very niched targeted audiences for these stories usually results in publicity. Great lead on the speakers bureau, too. Thanks for stopping by.
Other ideas:
– Solicit speakerships at dental association meetings. His talks can be inspirational, as well as instructional (enable practitioners to benefit from his breadth of field expertise and career wisdom – even though he isn’t practicing)
– Solicit articles/interviews for dental profession-related newsletters and websites
– Contact Alma Maters for inspirational articles in alumni magazines, as well as presentations on campus.
Jules, the speaking opportunities in front of dental associations are a great idea! And so many people forget about alumni mags, but they’re always looking for interesting stories like this one. Thanks a bunch.
I recommend contacting the ADA News (http://www.ada.org/news/news.aspx), the weekly publication of the American Dental Association. The editors there always run articles about dentists and former dentists who engage in activities beyond the practice of dentistry.
Of course, being a member of the ADA will help Dr. Steinberg get coverage, as the ADA prefers to showcase its own.
Dr. Steinberg or his publicist might also want to contact Alpha Omega (http://www.ao.org/), the oldest international dental organization founded to fight discrimination in dental schools. According to their website, “Alpha Omega is responsible for the formation of both dental schools in Israel: The Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dentistry and the Tel Aviv University Maurice and Gabriela Goldschleger School of Dental Medicine. The Alpha Omega Foundation was also responsible for dispersing almost $250,000 this past year for projects in Israel and worldwide.”
Michelle Hutchinson, D.M.D., M.P.H., C.P.H.
Editor, Writer, Professional Resume Preparer, Career Transition Facilitator
I love it when Publicity Hounds like you, Michelle, suggest ideas that never would have crossed my mind. Roberta and Steven will appreciate these.
If she’s not doing so, Stein should be building relationships with media via social media. There are parallel stories to Steinberg’s almost daily, and when one breaks, Stein should be in contact with those reporters and editors to pitch Dr. Steinberg as a show guest or article source.
Also, contact Jewish Federations that often bring in guests to speak as part of themed programs or invite as a special guest for their members and the public.
Gail, to piggyback off your idea, Dr. Steinberg, or the publicist, should create a Google Alert for Parkinson’s Disease.
And parallel searches for social media mentions.
Yes! So often, we forget about searching social media.
To Joan, and EVERYONE who sent these fantastic ideas….
THANK YOU SO MUCH for your really, really great ideas. Because of your goodness and these ideas, I can help get the word out about Dr. Steinberg’s wonderful book, and see that he gains recognition for the good work he does, and for being the brave man he is.
With much gratitude,
Roberta Stein
Roberta, so happy my Hounds were able to help. Stop back here from time to time to see if others have commented. And good luck with the book!+
Roberta,
If you will contact me in San Diego 619-977-5022 I will distribute a press release that you write through PRWEB’s SEO Channel ($199) at no cost to you. I can help you SEO your release if you want. I am very good at it.
Just “Paying It Forward”
What a generous offer! Thank you so much for helping.
Update: Saw an article about Dr. Steinberg in the October 15, 2012 edition of the ADA News. See http://www.ada.org/news/7680.aspx.
Thanks for letting us know, Michelle, and for sharing the link.