Life-work balance coach Joyce Dillon of Atlanta, Georgia writes: "I'm promoting a Costa Rica Retreat Feb. 4-12 for women who want to create the life they've always wanted. I've sent an email blast and will send a press release to the travel section of the newspaper in Atlanta. "Do your Hounds have any hot ideas on how I can further promote this … [Read more...]
Pitch “Before you go” info boxes
If you're publicizing an event, consider providing the media with a small summary of key information that can be included in a "Before You Go" box to accompany the main article reporters are writing.
Editors love using these boxes, which can include information such as how to order tickets, how to get to the event, where to park, … [Read more...]
People behind the events make great stories
She arrived in Milwaukee at age 24 with less than $40 in her purse, learned to speak English and took the streetcar to work. Today, at age 75, Magrit Heitmann still logs up to 1,500 hours a year doing what she loves best--organizing the hundreds of volunteers for Germanfest, one of the signature festivals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was a clever … [Read more...]
Don’t let poor planning ruin your special event
In the more than two decades I worked as a newspaper editor, I saw one special event planner after another moan and complain that the media didn't give them enough publicity to draw huge crowds--resulting in special events that were colossal flops. In many cases, it wasn't the media's fault. The event planners did it to themselves. Some of them … [Read more...]
Ask a business journal to co-sponsor your event
Let's pretend you have $10,000 to spend promoting your organization. You have two choices. Buy an ad in the local daily newspaper. Or co-sponsor one of several events hosted by the local business journal. Which would you choose? Paul Furiga says the decision is easy. If you want to get in front of a business audience, sponsor the event--and you … [Read more...]
Use daybooks to publicize Washington, D.C. special events
If you're publicizing an event in Washington, D.C., be sure to submit your news to the Washington daybooks, the media's source of events. By doing so, you can reach hundreds of major media outlets at no charge.
While this is one method of driving the news cycle with a timely and newsworthy event, editors stress the importance of … [Read more...]
No ho-hum groundbreaking for this health clinic
Eighteen ublicity Hounds have tips for Anne Deeter Gallaher of Camp Hills, Pennsylvania. Her client is breaking ground for a new clinic addition. It houses a family practice with nine physicians that have 30,000 patients. She wants alternatives to the routine and boring groundbreaking ceremony.
From Lisa "Chase" Patterson of Jersey … [Read more...]
Use drive-time radio to promote church spaghetti supper
You volunteer to do PR for your church, and the job includes generating publicity for--groan--the annual spaghetti supper.
A morning drive-time radio show in your community would be the perfect place to promote the event. It's a fun show and everybody listens to it because the deejay is a real character.
But what can you say about … [Read more...]
Small bank branch gets big ideas to promote grand opening
Twelve Publicity Hounds have super tips for Therese Myers of Albany, New York. She asked about how to get publicity for a bank branch opening in March. Her branch will be new in this small community in Maine, but it will be the seventh branch to open there within the last two years. Because headquarters are located out-of-state, she's worried … [Read more...]
Apple theme perfect for resume writer’s 30th anniversary
Doris Appelbaum of Milwaukee, Wisconsin owns a resume writing and career consulting business that will celebrate its 30th birthday in April. She wants to have an open house for clients but also wants to generate publicity for the anniversary without inviting everyone. She also needs ideas on how to play off the apple theme.
From Dave … [Read more...]