The Publicity Hound’s Blog  

Publicity Hound Hillary Davis asks:

“I would like to help get publicity for my friend who has an MRI (Xray) business. But the only way publicity would work is if it is targeted specifically to doctors, since it is doctors that send patients into his MRI office. I’d be grateful for any ideas from your Hounds. Any is there a way to target pediatric doctors, or emergency doctors, or lawyers?

Posted In: Business Promotion
posted On: 11/22/2005: 11:05 pm: By Joan
Comments: 9 Comments

Several Publicity Hounds have asked my opinion on Voice America Network, the single largest producer of Internet talk radio programming in the world, with more than 100 hosts who broadcast over three branded networks (health, business and VoiceAmerica variety).

One person in my mentor program was “offered” a $5,000 package to have his own show. I’m curious about what other Publicity Hounds have to say about this.

If you have your own show on Voice America, how much did it cost and do you think it’s worth it? If you’ve been a guest on a Voice America show, what kind of response did you get? Do you have any tips or advice for other Publicity Hounds who are considiring doing this?

Posted In: Publicity on the Internet, Radio Publicity
posted On: : 10:46 pm: By Joan
Comments: 7 Comments

If you don’t have a big PR budget, you’ll love this idea. In fact, it’s so cool, I wish I had thought of it myself.

It’s called the “Reporter of the Month Club” and Dean Rotbart, a former Wall Street Journal columnist, deserves credit for suggesting it. Dean is head of the TJFR group and sells journalists’ bios at

Here’s how the “Reporter of the Month Club” works. Each month, you choose one reporter who works at a newspaper, magazine or newsletter you want to get into—preferably, a journalist who has influence in your industry.

Then you spend the entire month studying that reporter.

Study the topics they’ve written about. Make note of the sources they’ve contacted. In fact, if you notice that they quoted one source over and over, call that source and find out how they started to build the relationship with the journalist.

At the end of the month, you’ll know so much about that reporter that when you call or email her for the first time to introduce yourself, you can refer to her stories or other observations about her work.

In an article I found at the ClickZ website, Dean says: “Once you get to know them, send a note commenting specifically on one of their stories. Write as an intelligent and cogent reader. Explain why the article was helpful. You can add a note about you and your expertise, the key is being subtle. Maybe after a couple of these intelligent notes, you can call. Journalists are flattered by someone who knows their work and chose them above all others.”

He’s right. About 99 percent of the people who contacted me during my two decades in the newspaper business wanted something. People who used my name when they called got one point. If they pronounced my tricky last name correctly, they got two points. If they told me they read one of my stories, I started paying attention. If they told me they’d been following me for years and quoted a few stories that were their favorites, they practically won my heart.

Journalists are like that. So stop sweating the small stuff like how wide the margins have to be on your news releases. Instead, start a “Reporter of the Month Club.” And be sure to tell me about your successes so I can share them with the rest of the Hounds.

In my “Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with the Media,” I mention that the Number One thing reporters love to talk about is themselves. The Number Two thing they love to talk about is their work. In my workshop titled “Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print Space and Air Time,” I tell my audiences the most important question they can ask anyone in the media: “How can I help you?”

Keep asking that question. Keep helping them do their jobs. And soon, you’ll have a healthy list of media contacts who will think you’re golden.

Posted In: Magazine Publicity, Newspaper Publicity, Pitching the Media
posted On: : 11:49 am: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

It baffles me why so many PR people complain about a lack of business yet never think of offering to present a program to their local Rotary or Kiwanis Club on how to get publicity.

When they grumble that they don’t have enough clients, I suggest they create an inexpensive information product on how to get publicity, then give it away.

Then they look at me like I’m nuts.

“Why would I want to give away information when I want them to hire me?” they ask.

Because if you tell people how to get their own publicity, many won’t bother doing it themselves. They don’t have the time. Others are intimidated by the media. And others want results NOW and can’t take the time to learn the intricacies of generating story ideas, pitching and making the important follow-up calls.

And since you’re the one who gave them the idea to generate publicity, they’d rather hire you to do it for them.

Public speaking and creating information products are only two of “24 Ways to Attract Clients to Your PR Practice.” Publicity expert Marcia Yudkin teamed up with me to present the teleseminar last year. Neither one of us is ever lacking for clients.

If you’re a publicist or a public relations expert—and you’re good at what you do—there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have more business than you can handle.

Posted In: Business Promotion, PR Consultants/Publicists
posted On: 11/16/2005: 8:19 am: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

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 retreat? You can read more about it at my website.

Posted In: Business Promotion, Publicity on the Internet
posted On: 11/15/2005: 11:25 am: By Joan
Comments: 7 Comments