2007 September

The Forward adds bureau to cover Jewish news in L.A.

9/24/2007 By Joan Leave a Comment

The Forward, an influential Jewish newspaper published in New York City, is expanding its West Coast coverage, and has opened a Los Angeles bureau.

Staff reporter Rebecca Spence will cover a wide range of topics including politics, entertainment, local Jewish news and organizations. Spence has been a staff writer at the Forward on two separate occasions from July 2006 to present and previously from 1998-99. She also has strong freelance writing experience for national magazines and newspapers, as regular contributor to ARTNews, as well as Art & Auction, Elle, New York Magazine and The New York Sun.

You can pitch her at her direct line in New York at 212-453-9415212-453-9415 or by email at Spence@forward.com. See “How to be a Valuable Source the Media Love.”

Filed Under: Media Leads, Newspaper Publicity, Publicity for Niche Markets

‘Martha’ to feature Toilet Paper Wedding Dress winner

9/24/2007 By Joan 7 Comments

I wrote about how I loved the very clever Toilet Paper Wedding Dress Contest sponsored by Cheap-Chic-Weddings.com.

And the publicity just keep on coming. Website owners Susan Bain; her mother, Roxie Radford; and sister, Laura Gawne tell me that Hanah Kim, the 2007 winner, and her dress will be featured on “The Martha Stewart Show” tomorrow.

That’s not all. Susan, Roxie and Laura also say that Charmin has invited them to participate in a giant event in New York City this fall.

As I’ve mentioned in my ebook “How to be a Kick-butt Publicity Hound,” a clever contest can generate months and sometimes even years of publicity. You don’t have to spend big bucks promoting it. Sometimes all it takes is getting in front of a few influential bloggers with your message, or writing and distributing an online press release like the Cheap-Chic-Wedding women did. Their entire campaign cost them only $200.

If you want to learn how to write and distribute your own press releases, take my free email course “89 Ways to Write Powerful Press Releases.”

Filed Under: Business Promotion, Citizen journalism, TV Publicity

What motivates journalists, bloggers? Most of these 40 things

9/19/2007 By Joan 1 Comment

Harry Beckwith Attracting a journalist’s or blogger’s attention for your story idea is no different than attracting a consumer’s attention for a product or service.

That’s what I concluded when I read What motivates people? Beckwith 40, written by branding expert Harry Beckwith, strategic director of Beckwith Partners, a marketing firm.

Take, for example, three of his 40 points:

He says: “Your biggest competitor is not a competitor; it’s your prospect’s indifference. ”

Translation: ”When it comes to grabbing the publicity spotlight, your biggest competitor is not a competitor; it’s a journalist’s or a blogger’s indifference.”

* * *

He says: “Prospects decide in the first five seconds.”

Translation: ”Journalists and bloggers decide if they like your pitch in the first five seconds.”

* * *

He says: ”People don’t care how good you are. They care how good you can make them.”

Translation: ”Journalists and bloggers don’t care how good you are. They care how good you can make them.”

All the more reason why you should be building strong relationships with journalists and being a valuable source they love. Ditto for reaching out to bloggers and helping them do their jobs.

Thanks to David Avrin, aka The Visibility Coach, for writing about this in his ezine and catching my attention, and for blogger Rajesh Setty for featuring it.

This list is a keeper.

Filed Under: Blogs, Magazine Publicity, Newspaper Publicity, Pitching the Media, Publicity on the Internet

Freelance writers need more lead time

9/19/2007 By Joan 1 Comment

Have a great story idea that you want to pitch to freelancers?

If so, give them enough time to work with their client publications. Don’t expect to pitch, then hear from them immediately about whether they’re interested.

That’s one of the tips from freelance journalist Helen Chang, who has contributed to Time, BusinessWeek, San Francisco Chronicle and many other outlets, and whose recent digital clips include MSNBC.com.

“I need to do basic research on a story first, then come up with an angle and then pitch the editor,” she explains, outlining the typical pitching process freelancers themselves must go through. “The editor then mulls it over and ultimately gets back to me.”

Brian Pittman, who writes for Bulldog Reporter’s excellent Journalists Speak Out newsletter, interviewed her and included her other tips for working with freelancers.

Filed Under: Magazine Publicity, Newspaper Publicity, Pitching the Media

Viking merchant wants ‘best of’ lists, tips

9/18/2007 By Joan 4 Comments

Viking ship Donald Hansen of Issaquah, Washington writes:

“Your readers responded well to an earlier question about need for help with our (then-Danish, now US/worldwide) website of Viking Age artifacts in replica at VikingTrader.net. We used some of the suggestions to good effect and also your special report on how to get into the inflight magazines.

“Now we have another question that may apply to all of us with websites. How and where do we get into the competition for ‘best websites’ sponsored by various publications? I think U.S. News & World Report does this, but I’m sure that there are many more. Have you have any suggestions?

Filed Under: Business Promotion, Contests, Magazine Publicity, Publicity on the Internet