Tips, Tricks & Tools for Free Publicity
Are you a business owner who’s happy as a clam after returning to traditional employment?
Mildred L. Culp, who writes the column WorkWise which is syndicated in print and online in such newspapers as The Dallas Morning News and Hartford Courant, is looking for sources. If this doesn’t apply to you but you know somebody who fits this description, would agree to be interviewed and wants some publicity, forward it on to them.
Sources can email Mildred.
Alex Foo of Christmas Island, Australia writes:
“I resigned from a prestigous job three years ago when I discovered that I could help people start Speaking Chinese in 58 minutes with no pen, no paper.
“My dream is to help 957,000 people around the world start speaking some basic Chinese before the Beijing Olympic Games held in August this year. Equally important, a portion of the proceeeds from my DVDs and CDs will go to help 6 million men, women and children help themselves so that they no longer have to worry where the next meal is going to come from.
“What’s the best way for me to spread the word about what I’m doing? My website is at http://www.ChinaSpeak.com.au (turn down your speakers).”
A writer for a national magazine is looking for experts in Wisconsin who she can interview for advice on how small businesses can enter the world of retailing.
She called my good friend Tom Beug of The Summit Group in Milwaukee yesterday, and he emailed me asking if I know anybody. He’ll be talking with her later today, so email him immediately and give him your contact information.
Notice that Tom, an expert in organizational development, didn’t just say to her, “Sorry, I can’t help you.” He appealed to all the other consultants in The Summit Group, of which I’ve been a member for more than 10 years. If he can provide just one or two names of good sources, he’ll look like the hero. And she’ll probably put his name and contact information into her Rolodex—and maybe even interview him the next time she needs an expert in organizational development.
In my “Special Report #49: 17 Ways to Build Valuable Relationships with Media People,” one of my tips is to provide other sources for stories:
Remember, your Number One goal when contacting a journalist is to make their job easy. If you give them four contacts instead of one, that means they don’t have to spend a lot of time hunting down three more people to call and interview. If one of those three people is on the opposite side of an issue you feel strongly about, let the journalist know. That will make for a great story, or a great TV or radio show.
The next time a journalist calls you for an interview, and you’re not the type of expert the writer is seeking, find someone who can help. Email me and I’ll include the media lead here, or in my ezine, “The Publicity Hound’s Tips of the Week.”
Thanks to those of you who nominated The Publicity Hound website for this year’s Writer’s Digest “101 Best Websites for Writers.”
My website made the list again this year, and I’m thrilled.
“Consultant Joan Stewart shares tips on self-promotion and how to get free publicity—a key for any writer living on a tight budget.”
When I plucked the magazine from my mailbox today and saw that I was on the list, I immediately wrote a letter to the editor, hoping for additional free publicity. To increase the chances that the letter will be published, I didn’t just thank the magazine for the designation. I offered tips on how others who made the list can promote the honor.
Here’s the letter:
I’m thrilled that you’ve chosen my website, PublicityHound.com, for your 10th annual “101 Best Websites for Writers” list.
Your endorsement has pulled traffic to my website, encouraged sales, and helped position me as a valuable resource for writers.
Here’s a publicity tip for writers or anyone else who make these prestigious “best of” lists. Let your blog and ezine readers know about the honor. Write a press release and distribute it through one of the paid distribution services. Send press releases to your local newspapers. Add the information to your MySpace, Facebook and LinkedIn profiles. And display the logo by the organization that has honored you on the homepage at your website.
I’ve been searching for the “101 Best Websites for Writers” logo from Writer’s Digest and can’t seem to find it anywhere on your website. It appears that the logo or a photo was once on your “Best 101 Websites” page, but it has disappeared. If you tell me where I can find the logo, I’ll be happy to give Writer’s Digest some publicity by placing the logo on my homepage. I’ll bet many of the other 99 website owners would too.
I Googled “Best 101 websites,” and clicked on “images” and eventually found the logo, so I’ll be adding it to my website. By the way, displaying logos of your trade associations, or groups like the Business Business Bureau if you’re a member, or any “best of” listings adds credibility to your website and makes visitors more inclined to hang around—and maybe even buy.
What logos can you add to your homepage today to boost your credibility?
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The Publicity Hound
