The Publicity Hound’s Blog  

This morning, as I was writing the lead item for today’s issue of my ezine on how to piggyback your news off of celebrities, the gals on the set of the ABC daytime hit “The View” were knee-deep in a discussion about the Middle East.

As co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck, a conservative, was making a comment about “radical Islam,” liberal Rosie O’Donnell, who had joined the show only a week before, let loose with this zinger:

“Radical Christianity is just as threatening as radical Islam in a country like America where we have a separation of church and state.” You can watch the clip here.

Conservative talk show hosts pounced on the comment. Bloggers seized the moment. And smart Publicity Hounds, from anti-war protesters to Christian churches, will recognize the perfect opportunity to weigh in one way or the other. How? By writing a press release and posting it online, or writing a letter to the editor or column for the local alternative weekly, or a column for a religion magazine.

In my “Special Report #50: How to Piggyback onto Celebrity News to Promote Your Product, Service, Cause or Issue,” I explain that tying into celebrity gossip, or controvesial statements like the one on “The View,” is one of the best ways to generate publicity.   

Posted In: Press Releases/News Releases, Publicity on the Internet, TV Publicity
posted On: 9/12/2006: 3:55 am: By Joan
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If you live in Greater Milwaukee, join me on October 31 for my first-ever workshop on how to write powerful press releases.

It will be held at the University of Wisconsin in Washington County as part of its series called “Adding to Your Organization’s Toolbox—Media and Public Relations.” I’ll present that session over a brown-bag lunch, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Even though it will be primarily for nonprofits, anybody can attend.

I’m even asking participants to provide sample press releases that I can rewrite for you. I’ll use the “before” and “after” samples during the class. Cost is only $8 for the luncheon. But I suggest you come for the entire morning.

I’m presenting “Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast & Online Publicity” from 8 to 9:30 a.m. and it will be followed by a media panel in which reporters and editors will offer their best pitching tips. The morning session is $35. You can register by emailing Dan Anhalt or calling (262) 335-5218.

Hope to see you next month!      

Posted In: Business Promotion, Nonprofits, Press Releases/News Releases
posted On: 9/5/2006: 10:45 pm: By Joan
Comments: 2 Comments

Generating publicity for a big event this fall or winter?

Don’t put so much thought and effort into getting a big two-page spread—complete with photos, maps and a schedule of events—in your local daily newspaper, then overlook a critical little detail that can land you in hot water.

Don’t forget about securing a spot on event calendars. That’s right. That tiny little three-line mention in the Friday entertainment entertainment section of your local newspaper can mean the difference between drawing a huge crowd and hosting an event that’s an embarrassment.

Why are event calendars sometimes more important than the big two-page spread? Well, if you’re like me, you don’t have time to read the big feature stories. But on Friday, you grab the entertainment section in your local paper and check out the event calendar while planning your weekend.

Event calendars are everywhere–in your daily and weekly newspapers, newspapers, city magazines, free shoppers, local special interest publications, Craigslist, your local TV and radio stations’ websites, and even in your church bulletin.

Publicity Hound Judith Reppucci, who compiles events for a monthly lifestyle magazine on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, says savvy Publicity Hounds pay attention to all the little details of getting onto event calendars.

For example, check the publication closing dates for every calendar, and don’t assume they’re all the same. The magazine she works for goes to print two months before it’s on the news stand.

Your event has a much better chance of getting top billing on the calendar if it includes a photo with a well-written caption. That doesn’t seem like such a big deal, but editors who compile event calendars usually have two or three other jobs. If your good-quality photo happens to be handy, and the editor doesn’t have to call you for more information, chances are good the photo will appear along with the notice of your event.

Judith’s other tips on how to get onto event calendars are in the September/October issue of The Publicity Hound subscription newsletter.

The issue also includes articles on the incredible, shrinking half-life of articles; tips for writing great photo captions; how to follow up with reporters after you’ve pitched a story idea; three new lifestyle magazines that debut this fall; a task to put on your publicity to-do list in October; how to recycle publicity from a speech you’ve given; how to become a heavily quoted source; 5 ways to sell more books on TV; where to find an online newspaper archive; two new and very cool tips booklets on publicity; where to get a free ebook on how to become a syndicated columnist on the web; and September/October story ideas. You can buy the issue for $10 here.

Posted In: Business Promotion, Magazine Publicity, Newspaper Publicity, Photos & Graphics, Pitching the Media, Special Events
posted On: : 11:00 am: By Joan
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If you’re trying to pitch a certain reporter or columnist, learn all you can about the kinds of stories they write. But how can you do that if you don’t know where to look?

Easy. Go to Google Alerts and type in the reporter’s name, then wait for Google to feed you a list of articles the reporter has written. From that list, you also might learn:

—The reporter blogs. Read the blog, post comments to it, then watch how quickly the reporter pays attention to what you have to say.

—The reporter freelances for other publications. Once you know that, you can then pitch story ideas that would fit in well with those publications.

—The reporter has strong feelings about certain controversial issues. If you and the reporter don’t see eye to eye on a particular topic, you might want to think twice about pitching the idea. Forget what you’ve heard about “fair and balanced” reporting.    

—The reporter writes articles that show up at newspaper or magazine websites but aren’t used in the printed versions.

Need more help forming valuable replationships with the media? See “Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with Media People.”

Posted In: Magazine Publicity, Newspaper Publicity, Pitching the Media
posted On: : 8:30 am: By Joan
Comments: 1 Comment

Rudy Gelton of Cambridge, Massachusetts writes:

“The line of Alluring Items With Asian Influences that I am assembling consists of home decor goods, gifts and garments from the Far East to which the ladies who have provided me with marketing input have had overwhelmingly positive reactions.

“Also, all of the friends, relatives and associates to whom I have given various items as gifts have been overjoyed. But a decent percentage of these women admitted they would not necessarily have bought the items for themselves.

“You can see the website. However, I want to emphasize that at this point, it’s primarily a marketing vehicle that I’m using to gauge the appeal of various items and test prices. It’s an efficient and effective way for me to allow interested parties to view the goods and provide me with their input/feedback. So your Hounds should not, at this point, expect to see a slick ecommerce site.  

“I’m wondering if your Hounds have any good ideas as to how to publicize the line or particular articles in a way that would bring the goods specifically to the attention of men in need of nice, interesting gift items to present to the ladies in their lives?”

Posted In: Business Promotion, Publicity for Niche Markets, Publicity on the Internet
posted On: : 6:50 am: By Joan
Comments: 2 Comments