Maya Sunpongco of Giftpile.com in Chula Vista, California, wants to know how to promote her online honeymoon registry.
From Danielle Shanke of Tempe, Arizona:
“Rather than pitch a story to her local media, target brides specifically through bridal magazines and websites. You’ll have a much more qualified audience. I bet you could easily pitch a story about non-traditional registries to bridal magazines and sites like theknot.com, a bridal portal. There are a ton of bridal magazines, e.g. Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, Modern Bride – just look at the shelves at your local bookstore for more resources. There are also local bridal magazines and sites for many cities as well. I’m getting married in Tucson, Ariz., and I’ve consulted tucsonlifestylebride.com, tucsonbrideandgroom.com and tucsonweddingplanner.com. In addition to editorial content, these sites also have listings for vendors. It might be hard to find similar sites in other cities, but I know they could use some fresh story ideas.”
From Jennie Fitzgerald of Brisbane, Australia:
“Why not pitch funny honeymoon disaster stories? Then turn it around and give five tips to avoid honeymoon disasters.”
From Sandie Vega of San Antonio, Texas:
“Contact as many of the wedding Internet sites as possible and ask them to put your company information on their site. Go to the many wedding conventions in your area and promote your company. You might even be able to have a drawing where you would give away a honeymoon package. Have your own mini seminar/tradeshow for all the brides-to-be. Give away some small gifts and a grand prize. Tell the local media about the event and they might just send someone.”
From Carol Bloom Stevens of Bedford, New York:
“Do you have an interesting story surrounding the people that use your service? Something touchy-feely, perhaps. If the registry is run by a more well-known sponsor, then you have to talk about the personalized service aspect or something that sets your registry apart from theirs.”
The Publicity Hound says: Here are my ideas. Sponsor a contest to find the worst wedding gift. Pitch a story to women’s magazines about unconventional wedding gifts. Tie your story to U.S. Census Bureau statistics about the number of people who are married (stay away from the topic of divorce). Take a survey and ask brides-to-be to name the Number One wedding gift they hope they’ll get, then report results to the media. Finally, make sure your pitch letters and emails to journalists are short, descriptive and fun.