Dancing with the Media Stars
Creator:
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Building a relationship with the media is a dance, and just like a good dance partner you cant step on their toes. If you want to Salsa and the media wants to Waltz, youre going to have some problems (and look ridiculous.) Thats why research is so important. Its not that hard to figure out what will interest the media outlet; it usually just takes a visit to their website. And once you know what they want and more importantly what they dont you can say to yourself, either, No, pitching them will be a waste of both their...
Partners, Not Problems
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
If you were to ask me about my PR firms competition, you would only hear good things. Really! Eight years ago my friend and mentor Joan Stewart shared these words of wisdom with me that even in this economy I still believe ring true: Theres enough business to go around. I really took that idea to heart and have made a great effort to never turn away from, or ignore, other firms specializing in the same areas my firm does. Im definitely aware of what our competition is doing and how were distinct and different from them, but I dont...
Empowering the Media to Boost Your Exposure
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
In all the major cities and smaller markets across the U.S., news reporters, editors and producers are planning their coverage for the day, the hour, or in the case of weeklies and magazines, weeks or months ahead. The old news cycle in which newspaper reporters filed their stories for the next days paper is history. Now those same reporters and editors are planning what Web updates they will make throughout the day to stories already underway, as well as which stories they will roll out online and which ones will wait for the next print edition.The best reporters have a knack...
PR Tips for Writers: Tools for promoting and publishing your dream book
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
So you have written that book you have dreamed of writing for years and now want to get it published. What next?For more than 15 years, I have represented numerous authors through my company, Wasabi Publicity Inc. I also worked in a publishing house soon after graduating college. I have seen many publishing strategies, some more successful than others.The Web gives you opportunities not only to publicize and sell your book, but also to develop your work interactively with your readers.Give yourself the best chance for success by using both traditional and online PR tools to build interest in your book....
From Typewriters to Twitter: How the Internet Changed PR Pitching
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
It used to be phone and mail were it. Publicists used to plunk out cover letters on their typewriters, and then mail editors their pitch. Things are definitely different, but the game is still played the same. It seems now that we have less people doing more work on both the medias and the publicists ends of the spectrum. But whether its from a typewriter or from Twitter, what prevails is the relationship. And you cant build a relationship with the media if you dont connect with them.With the advent of the Internet, finding the media has never been...
Using Headlines & Hooks to Grab the Media’s Attention
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
The pitch is your gateway to PR success. A valuable tool in building quality relationships with the media, your pitch should always be simple, clear and concise. Anyone doing his or her own PR has the ability to create the perfect pitch and score media coverage. Many times something usually minor is holding the pitch back. A common misstep some DIYers make when crafting their pitch is not tying it to breaking news with headlines and hooks. Just as the media uses news hooks to grab our attention, you have to use these hooks to catch the medias eye.Whats...
PR to the People: Tips for Marketing and Branding Yourself
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Whether you are looking for a job, thinking of starting your own business or even steadily working for someone else, this is a good time to start marketing and branding yourself.Companies have long known the importance of making a name for their products and services to set themselves apart from their competition. Todays rapidly shifting economy combined with our increasingly Web-driven communications make it essential for individuals to constantly assess, update and promote their skills.OK, you say, I understand why Microsoft, Apple, Nike, Kelloggs, Campbells and Nabisco brand themselves. Im not a computer, a shoe or a can of soup.Well, just...
Six Tips to Recession-Proof Your Perspective
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
When I got ready to launch my latest business, PitchRate.com, the economic news fell into two categories: grim and grimmer.Economists had not yet seen the bottom of the recession back in February. Even now, as they begin whispering the word recovery, job losses continue. Some experts predict slow economic growth will continue for years.But those of us starting new businesses cant wait for the gloomy economic forecasts to abate, nor can existing businesses drop anchor and wait for the storms to subside.Instead, we all have to look at the recession as another opportunity. Trimming our sails, we learn to tack with...
Get the Oprah Effect in Your Own Backyard: For the best PR in any media, be poised, to the point and pay it forward
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Theres nothing quite like the exposure you get appearing before the 44 million viewers who tune into Oprah each week.The Oprah Effect is famous for its ability to boost national sales, making millionaires out of some and saving others from bankruptcy. Getting your book or product reviewed on Oprah is considered the Holy Grail of PR accomplishments.Susan Harrow, who recently appeared on the CNBC documentary, The Oprah Effect, studied The Oprah Winfrey Show over 15 years and interviewed prestigious publicists and guests about the strategies they used to get on the show for her recently updated book The Ultimate Guide to...
PR - The Ultimate Stimulus Package: How to get your word out for free
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Imagine you could publicize your company or product to countless potential customers at no cost. You can.PR, both online and in traditional media, offers the ultimate stimulus package for small businesses seeking to jumpstart their recovery.Marketing on the Internet can also help level the playing field between small companies and their larger competitors. The key is to carefully craft and target messages about your brand to the most likely potential customers.Now, more than ever, the Internet offers ways to connect with anyone you want to connect with for little or no money. One way is to take advantage of free news...
A Little PR Can Go a Long Way
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Hiring a publicist or doing your own PR isnt something most small business owners or entrepreneurs really want to do. Youre busy running the day-to-day operations that keep the doors to your business open and investing the little time and money you may have just doesnt seem feasible or realistic. Sound familiar? But think about this. Whether youre just starting out or have been in business for a few years, media exposure is valuable to your success just a little work on your PR campaign a day can produce tremendous results.At the very least you have to...
Six Tips to Stay Relevant in Today’s Economy
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Opportunity doesnt always loudly knock. Sometimes it whispers in plain sight, but we may not see it.We all have preconceived notions about what business success or failure looks like. We are all bombarded with constant news about the state of the economy, good or bad. It is all too easy to get caught up in worry or elation and forget the most important thing about opportunity its up to us to seize it.It may seem counterintuitive. Our tendency during lean times is to hold onto what weve got and avoid taking chances. In fact just the opposite is wise. Theres...
Pitching the (Seemingly Unresponsive) Media
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
The biggest difference between pitching the media and pitching to a Major League slugger is that the Major League slugger will hit your bad pitches out of the park. When pitching the media, you have to throw perfect pitches to the media every time. No curve, breaking or knuckle balls they have to be right down the center of the plate. Since the use of human growth hormones and steroids hasnt caught on in the media, youll want to make it easy for them. Heres some ways to get your media pitch knocked out of the park:Use a news hook...
Leveraging Media Coverage to Grow Your Business
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
Theres no question you aspire to take your business to the next level. But where the doubt lies is in how to do it. You may have tried networking, Internet marketing or advertising only to come out in the end with fewer clients than you expected and more expenses than you anticipated. You want to attract loyal customers and increase your profits thats part of the equation but you long for some magical solution. Its no secret that media coverage is by far the best means out there to take you and your business to the next level. But...
Using Online Press Kits to Increase Book Sales
Published:11/16/2010 05:06pm
If youre an author, media coverage is the best and most cost-effective way to increase your books sales. What media coverage does, that no ad can do, is build your credibility among your target audience. When they hear an interview with you on a local radio program, read a newspaper article where youve been used as an expert source or watch a television segment featuring you, your book and your expertise, the audience is engaged. And an engaged audience is who will purchase your book. Most people skim right over ads in magazines or newspapers, not paying any attention to them....
