When the marketing staff at the Baybrook Mall in Houston, Texas brainstormed ways to publicize their expanded food court and "family restroom," they refused to settle for the ubiquitous ribbon-cutting ceremony or the overdone press conference. Family restrooms, by the way, are the new trend in shopping malls. They're private, unisex rooms where … [Read more...]
Know everthing possible about your target audience
If you're an author, doctor, or other expert who writes about, treats or discusses breast cancer, what magazines would you target if you wanted to pitch a story about the topic? The most obvious answer, of course, is any of the big-circulation women's magazines like Woman's Day, Working Woman or Ladies' Home Journal. Overlooking the smaller, less … [Read more...]
Promote faux painting
Thirteen 13 Publicity Hounds have tips for Christine Fichtner of Mequon, Wisconsin. She's an interior painter who specializes in faux finishes and she wants tips on how distinguish herself from every other painter with a paintbrush. From Sandy Shortridge of Hampton Roads, Virginia: "This is an idea used at the salon and day spa where I get my … [Read more...]
Don’t be a bodyguard
If you do PR for your company or organization, one of the best things you can do to get in the media’s good graces is to encourage media people to contact your CEO or other sources directly, without demanding that they go through you. Also, don't act like a bodyguard, shielding Mr. or Ms. Important from difficult interviews or tough … [Read more...]
Do you know copyright law? Take this quiz
If you write articles for print or online publications to position yourself as an expert, pay attention. It’s time to find out if you know what you’re doing when it comes to legal issues like copyright, or if you’re just pretending. Are the following scenarios true or false? --Cosmopolitan magazine prints an article written by you. You received … [Read more...]
Oprah’s audience might not be right for you
Not a week goes by that somebody, someplace, doesn't ask me "How do I get onto 'Oprah'?"
The question comes from some of the most unlikely candidates. They're people with dry business topics that would lull Oprah's viewers to sleep. Or they've written a boring book that just wouldn't appeal to the demographics of her audience. … [Read more...]
The difference between journalists and bloggers
Many PR people have added bloggers to their media contact lists--and for good reason.
Bloggers are making a name for themselves as legitimate news breakers, commentators and opinion-shapers.
If you're pitching your story to bloggers, you must understand the difference between a "real" journalist and a … [Read more...]
Hounds offer ideas to promote volunteer fire department
Ten Publicity Hounds have lots of ideas for Brien Farley of Genesee, Wisconsin who wants to promote the Wales Genesee Volunteer Fire Department. The department is raising money to build a new station.
From Karen Fiala of Gold Cost, Australia:
I was in the local shopping mall last week when I was approached by a member or our … [Read more...]
Fodder for bios
A frustrated Publicity Hound wrote to me recently, asking how she can write an interesting bio, even if she doesn't have any "newsworthy" accomplishments.
"How can you write a bio when you don't have an MBA, have never received any awards, and haven't appeared on TV or radio or in magazines?" she asks.
Bios or professional … [Read more...]
Hot ideas will help promote Cold War museum
Publicity Hounds come out of their bunkers to help Marion Grobb Finkelstein of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Marion asked for ideas on how to promote a local museum called the "Diefenbunker." It's an underground facility built during the Cold War and located about 30 minutes from downtown.
From Florence Rabusseau of London, England:
Revamp … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 220
- 221
- 222
- 223
- 224
- …
- 233
- Next Page »