The Publicity Hound’s Blog  

When I read a correction in this morning’s paper, it reminded me to remind you that whenever a print reporter interviews you for a story, never ask if it’s OK to read the story before it’s printed because you’re afraid they’ll screw it up.

That’s not the way the game is played, and it will label you as clueless.

How, then, can you ensure that the reporter will report the facts accurately?

There’s no way to be 100 percent certain. But as I said in my “Special Report #1—Damage Control: How to Keep the Media from Making a Mess of Your Story,” you can increase your odds by asking for a fact-check. That means that after the story is written, the reporter calls you and recites the facts of the story.

Let’s say the story states that your company has 135 employees. You can keep the reporter from making an error by pointing out that the correct figure is 152.

Never hesitate to ask for a fact-check. Some reporters, particularly new ones, won’t know what this is. If they look puzzled, explain it this way:

“A fact-check is a way for both of us to you to make sure the facts are accurate. It also will keep you from having to run a correction if something is wrong.”

You’ll get their attention. I guarantee it. That’s because reporters hate having to write corrections and call attention to the fact that they goofed.

Posted In: How to Interview, Magazine Publicity, Newspaper Publicity
posted On: 5/31/2006: 7:02 am: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

If you’ve been a guest on a TV or radio show and you’d love to make a return visit this summer, here’s a quick way to get the producer’s attention.

Offer to fill in if a guest cancels or runs into travel problems. Radio and TV talk show hosts dread having to fill an entire hour when a guest fails to show up, and you could be the one to save them from having to do that. Your offer just might get you a coveted place in their Rolodex.

A few years ago, when a guest canceled just minutes before one of my telephone seminars was to start, I got on the phone and called Raleigh Pinskey, a publicity expert who agreed to fill in. The result was a fabulous CD called “How to Create the Perfect 30-Second Pitch.” Raleigh got exposure to my audience and I didn’t have to cancel the session.

This strategy even works for those of you who have pitched a show and haven’t gotten on. 

Posted In: Pitching the Media, Radio Publicity, TV Publicity
posted On: 5/30/2006: 10:09 pm: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

Marisa Menzel of Madison, Wisconsin writes:

“I’m a wedding planner and have recently started hosting monthly ‘workshops’ at a local bridal shop. Each month we ask one wedding professional to come in to talk about their trade.

“We tell the attendees the name of the business that the professional is from, but the main focus is informative, as opposed to selling.  We then also have free wedding cake for people to eat while they are there and something free for them to take home. At the end of the event, the attendees can ask questions of the professional, myself, and the other brides there. It’s kind of an open forum.

“Our problem is low attendance. Our current forms of advertising are sending out an email to approx 2,500 brides, and then listing the event in one of the free weekly newspapers. But we aren’t getting much response. How can we increase attendance?”

Posted In: Business Promotion, Special Events
posted On: : 7:23 am: By Joan
Comments: 14 Comments

While everyone else was attending parades and picnics yesterday, I spent seven hours on Memorial Day cleaning out my perennial gardens.

Dressed in shorts and a sleeveless shirt, I ended up with a sunburn so bad that it feels like my shoulders are on fire.

Silly me for forgetting to slather on the sunscreen. I’ll bet some of you are also feeling the pain of summer injuries—whether it’s an aching body from yardwork, or sprained muscles from sports injuries, or insect bites.

There are lots more people like you and me. So this is the perfect time of year to dole out free advice to those who need to be reminded of ways we can keep ourselves safe during the summer.

My personal favorite publicity tool is called the tip sheet: “6 tips on how to avoid sunburn” or “8 ways to stay safe on the golf course.”

As I wrote in “Special Report #16: How to Write Tip Sheets That Catch the Media’s Attention,” These handy little sheets can be sent simultaneously to noncompeting publications. And unlike news releases, you can send tip sheets as often as you like.

Editors of newspapers, magazines and newsletters love them because they fill odd-size holes on a page. And readers love them because they’re chock full of free advice.

What tip sheet can you write today to start getting valuable publicity? 

Posted In: Business Promotion, Magazine Publicity, Newspaper Publicity, Pitching the Media
posted On: : 6:02 am: By Joan
Comments: No Comments

The Byline Writers’ Desk Calendar is looking for contributors for its 2008 calendar.

If you’re a writer who has been paid for your work, you’re eligible to submit an entry. All genres and disciplines are welcome. See the submission guidelines. 

Thanks to Publicity Hound Roberta Beach Jacobson for this tip.

Posted In: Authors & Publishers, Business Promotion, Information Products, Publicity for Niche Markets
posted On: 5/27/2006: 7:05 am: By Joan
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