Trade shows are great places to take reporters to lunch and to generate all kinds of publicity. Among the thousands of attendees at trade shows, you'll sometimes find hundreds of reporters who are hungry for stories about new products and interesting people behind the products. But you must do your homework. --Even before you pack your suitcase, … [Read more...]
Take a reporter to lunch
One way for Publicity Hounds to form relationships with media contacts is to take them to lunch. If you've never done this before, it can sound daunting and maybe even downright dangerous. What if you say something stupid? What if you end up with a piece of spinach on your front tooth? What if the reporter asks you something you don't … [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...]
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...]
How quickly could you set up an emergency hotline?
The story about the woman who claims she found a finger in Wendy's chili begs the questions, if a crisis hit your company or organization tomorrow--like a product recall, for example--and you needed a way for customers to quickly contact you for help, how long would it take to get a toll-free hotline installed? How much longer would it take to … [Read more...]
Celebrity endorsements
OK, so it isn't exactly free publicity. But I think its intriguing that an entire industry is being built around getting people's product in front of celebrities like Oprah and Paris Hilton.
In an article titled "Oprah's Golden Gut," Fortune Small Business explains how you, too, can … [Read more...]
Children’s troupe takes its act to trade shows
Publicity Hounds have tips for Melissa Pagan of Tequesta, Florida. She works for a performing arts troupe that specializes in children's entertainment. Their live shows have an education component that focuses on literacy, and some of their school programs address test-taking tips and techniques for relieving the anxiety of the high-stakes … [Read more...]
Mustard museum fights Reader’s Digest
What do you do when youve been hammered by the almighty Reader's Digest?
Thats what happened to the Mount Horeb Mustard Museum in Mount Horeb, Wisconsin when an article in the December issue placed the Mustard Museum on its list of "5 Museums Not to Plan Christmas Around."
"Want a fun vacation?" the article asked. … [Read more...]
Videographer can search his own community for business
Anne Wear of Greensboro, North Carolina says her friend, a videographer, needs ideas on how to market his business. He has almost 20 years of experience behind the camera and also works as an audio person, grip and teleprompter operator.
From Jan Cannon of Boston, Massachusetts:
Some lawyers videotape depositions. They might be an … [Read more...]
Authors rent a mall storefront for grassroots selling
Thanks to Publicity Hound Paul Rhetts of Albuquerque, New Mexico for telling us about the 200 New Mexico authors and publishers who banded together during the holidays to sell local books in a storefront at a local mall.
Frustrated by the difficulties getting their books stocked in local and regional bookstores, the New Mexico Book … [Read more...]