When Publicity Hounds think of ways to get onto "Oprah," they spend days and sometimes even weeks crafting the perfect pitch that will appeal to her producers. Most of them, I'm guessing, probably miss a vital step that could save them a lot of time. They fail to visit her website and … [Read more...]
Join me Jan. 25 for a free teleseminar on pitching problems
If your media pitches are going nowhere, or if you want me to help you refine your pitches, join me for a free teleseminar on problem pitches at 1 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, January 25. It's sponsored by The Wasabi Club, a free telephone discussion group that meets for one hour each month to brainstorm publicity ideas. Michelle Tennant, a … [Read more...]
New to publicity? Target smaller media outlets first
In the January issue of Country Business, the magazine for retailers of country gifts and accessories, freelancer Traci Bisson quotes me in an article about how retailers can get TV and radio publicity. I advise that people who are new to publicity start by targeting smaller media outlets first so they can learn from their mistakes before hitting … [Read more...]
Attend Business Journal parties, but don’t pitch
The Business Journal in Milwaukee hosts its annual Book of Lists party on January 19, and I'm kicking myself because I have a speaking engagement that night. Similar parties will be held all across the U.S. by … [Read more...]
Don’t lay guilt trips on media that won’t cover you
A reader emailed me today to show me a pitch letter that her friend had composed and wanted to send to her daily newspaper. The letter, about two pages, is meant to interest the media in her business. Not only does it break every rule of pitching etiquette, it pretty much promises that this particular newspaper will write her off as a kook. I am … [Read more...]
Human Capital magazine, “Between the Lines” ezine want your pitches
--The publishers of Human Capital magazine are looking for "lessons learned" stories about your employee recognition programs. For example, what worked and what didn't? What were positive and negative employee reactions? Were there any unexpected reactions? If you have been involved in a recognition program that presented challenges, … [Read more...]
Tie into the popularity of poker, bridge
When I called my sister on New Year's Eve to wish her a happy new year, I asked her what everybody was doing. "The geezers are upstairs watching TV and Tim is in the basement with his buddies playing poker," she said. Tim is my nephew. He and his buddies are 16. Back when I was a kid, the geezers were in our basement playing poker, and the kids … [Read more...]
TV loves fitness, diet stories during January
My Jazzercise instructor has already warned us to be braced for packed classes this month. That's because this is the month when everybody tries to take off what they gained over the holidays. TV stations everywhere want to know about these stories. Here's an almost guaranteed way to get your company on the local TV news. The tip comes from my … [Read more...]
Include statistics when pitching a story idea
The next time you're reading a newspaper or magazine article, notice how many times the reporter mentions statistics high in the story. You should do the same when you pitch. That's because statistics help validate a story. I found the following statistics in just one section of the Weekend Edition of the Wall Street Journal: ---In November, … [Read more...]
Research the media before you pitch
I grumble all the time about media mutts who deliver pitches that have nothing to do whatsoever with the media outlet they're pitching it to. For a perfect example of what I'm talking about, check out this poorly written pitch I received this week from Travel Features Inc., complete with errors: "Kindly find a 900 word travel article on visit to … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 27
- 28
- 29
- 30
- 31
- …
- 39
- Next Page »