Whenever I send a news release about something I've done to my local newspapers or trade journals, I hardly ever hear feedback from my neighbors or peers, even when I know it's been printed. But when I send my photo with the release and it's printed, I hear a chorus that sounds like this: ---“I saw your picture in the paper!" ---“Did you know … [Read more...]
Pitch “how to” segments for TV talk shows, news
This time of year is perfect for pitching a "how to" segment for a local or national TV talk show or a newscast. For example: ---Demonstrate how to carve a pumpkin. If you're pitching to a local talk show, carve the local TV station's call letters into the pumpkin. How in the world could a producer not want that segment? ---If you're a foodie, … [Read more...]
OverTime magazine needs organizing experts
OverTime Magazine, the business and lifestyle guide for professional athletes, needs sources to write or contribute to a story tentatively titled "Thirteen Ways to Simplify Your Life in 2007." Think of this as a "Don't Stress the Small Stuff" for athletes. "We're looking for writers, authors, experts in mental health, and especially people who … [Read more...]
Author needs help promoting inspirational book
Marsha Jordan of Harshaw, Wisconsin writes: "I'm the founder of a national nonprofit charity helping sick children and I've written a book to use as a fundraiser---a compilation of inspirational essays designed to encourage anyone dealing with difficulties and challenges of life. It's illustrated with drawings by children battling cancer and other … [Read more...]
How to get into Entertainment Weekly
The best publicist is one who understands that the media is their first client, says Carole Willcocks, Los Angeles bureau operations manager of Entertainment Weekly. If the publicist's other client happens to be a hot-shot entertainer, that can be difficult. If you represent entertainters who want to get into Entertainment Weekly, read this … [Read more...]
Pitch ethnic media
When publicist Miriam Silverberg took on Meli Melo, a French restaurant in New York City, as a client three years ago, she immediately got to work pitching ideas that would result in the greatest publicity possible. She dreamed, of course, of a four-star restaurant review in the New York Times. But she's realistic enough to know that a major … [Read more...]
From PMA University—4 principles for book publicity
Book publicist Alice Acheson gave 200 members of Publishers Marketing Association her four principles of publicity success this afternon at PMA University, the annual educational program for authors and publishers. Her principles are: 1. Start marketing the minute your book contract is signed. Write one paragraph about the book and one paragraph … [Read more...]
From PMA University—Don’t let authors pitch book review editors
Kristen Matthews, book editor for the "Early Show" on CBS, says book publicists shouldn't let their authors call book review editors like her and pitch a program segment. "Some of them can't stand to hear the word no," she told 200 members of the Publishers Marketing Association this afternoon. Others refuse to accept their publicist's advice and … [Read more...]
Off to PMA, BEA
I'm off to PMA University, sponsored by the publishers marketing association, and BookExpoAmerica in New York City. If you'll be at PMA, I'm on a panel from 10:15-11:45AM Wednesday on "How to launch a proftable 30-day Internet publicity campaign. On Thursday, I'm part of a morning panel from 10:45-1:15 on "How to slice and dice your book … [Read more...]
Clear pronunciation needed for a stint on NPR
Among the most loyal listeners of National Public Radio--ready for this?--are taxi cab drivers in Washington, D.C. and probably those elsewhere through the United States. Many listeners who are non-English speaking immigrants say that NPR and public radio in general give them the best information and the clearest diction on American radio. They … [Read more...]