Publicity tips/Don't forget the kids March 21, 2006
The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #286 - March 21, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.publicityhound.com/
http://www.publicityhound.net/ (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®
Circulation: 14,634
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"Tips, Tricks and Tools for Free Publicity"
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New Teleseminar: "Do-It-Yourself PR for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands on a Budget"
When: 8 to 9:10 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 29
Guest: Bob Baker, author, independent musician and former music magazine publisher
To register or buy the CD or electronic transcript: http://www.PublicityHound.com/teleseminar.htm
(See Item #3 below)
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In This Issue
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1. Don't Forget the Kids
2. Publicity for Fiction Titles
3. Write Seasonal Songs
4. NPR and The Hollywood Reporter
5. How to Promote Spy Moms
6. Help This Hound
7. Hound Joke of the Week
8. And at My Blog...
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1. Don't Forget the Kids
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If you're an expert who can share advice, write a how-to article, create a quiz, take a poll or survey, dream up a clever holiday, offer a Q&A, or show someone how to do something, don't forget the kids.
I don't have children. But while at the local library last week, I paged through three magazines for parents to see what kinds of publicity tips I could find. The exercise reminded me that experts in a wide variety of specialty areas should be pitching articles aimed not only at adults, but at children, or articles dealing with children.
Here's what I found:
--Information from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation on whether your kids' symptoms are allergies or a common cold. Doctors, health clinics and other health-related groups could pitch something like this.
--Tips on how to teach your children to save money. Couldn't bankers, financial planners and stock brokers offer this kind of advice?
--Clever ways to get rid of kids' clutter. I'll bet any professional organizer or any store that sells storage containers could share tips on keeping a kid's bedroom clean.
--Caring for kids' hair. Specifically, curls, kinks and cowlicks. Many hairdressers, whose clients include children, would be able to share their best hair care tips for the little ones.
--I even found a feature called "Diaper Dramas: Everything you ever wanted to know about baby's poop." What a great story idea for pediatricians! (Wouldn't you love to have seen the face of the journalist who was on the receiving end of that pitch?)
--How to prevent children from getting fat. Fitness centers, chefs, nutritionists and food scientists should be able to rattle off a dozen tips in no time.
--And, finally, The Publicity Hound's favorite: How to raise a media-savvy kid. It offered tips on how parents can teach their small children to recognize the difference between paid ads and the actual TV shows. Couldn't ad agency execs and PR people pitch a story like this?
What's your area of expertise and how many ways can you spin it into a pitch for children?
TV reporter Shawne Duperon knows that stories about children play a prominent role when assignment editors decide what gets on the air and what doesn't. She helped me brainstorm the best print and broadcast stories that reporters and assignment editors love. We came up with 219 of them, some involving children, and they're featured on two CDs we created. You can download the handout, which includes the entire list of tips, as soon as your order has been approved.
116 WOW! Story Ideas from January through June
http://tinyurl.com/6k7zk
103 Sizzling Story Ideas from July through December
http://tinyurl.com/54y6f
If you're short on story ideas right now, steal as many of these as you like.
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2. Publicity for Fiction Titles
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Authors who write fiction think they face an uphill battle trying to get publicity for their books.
That's because most fiction authors see themselves as storytellers, not experts. Yet many of them do far more research before writing their books than authors of non-fiction.
Here are five ways authors can get publicity for their fiction titles:
--Piggyback onto an upcoming major or minor holiday, or a day, week or month of the year. Did you write a romance novel? If so, supply tips on how to be romantic to tie into Valentine's Day, or Sweetest Day in October.
--Offer helpful how-to advice that ties into your topic. Bill and Susan Albert have a series of mystery books featuring China Bayles, the main character, who has an herb shop, and they've promoted themselves as experts on the topic of herbal lore. Their email newsletter includes information and recipes about herbs, in addition to news about their latest books.
--Sponsor a contest that ties into the topic of your book. The bigger the prize, the better the publicity.
--Create your own day, week or month of the year that's associated with the topic, and submit it to Chase's Calendar of Events at http://www.chases.com/ Then tie news releases and other promotions to the special day.
--In her book "Jump Start Your Book Sales" at http://www.communicationcreativity.com/js/, Marilyn Ross suggests that authors can ask their local newspapers to sponsor a "complete the short story" contest. You write the beginning and readers submit their own endings. "This has been done very successfully on the Web by celebrity authors," Marilyn writes.
Read about more ways that fiction authors can promote their books in an article written by publicist Marcia Friedman for the March/April issue of The Publicity Hound subscription newsletter. The current issue also includes tips on how to write killer blog posts, 9 ways to customize one press release, 3 rules for working with celebrities who you want to appear at your special event, how to follow up with reporters, 4 new magazines and a new technology column to add to your media list, an inexpensive subscription service where you can have access to pitching tips for 149 magazines, where to learn what's hot at Los Angeles radio stations, where to get a free manuscript critique and a free book marketing newsletter, and how to be a guest on an Atlanta talk radio show. All for only $10.
Order the March/April issue at http://tinyurl.com/rg7zs
Or save time ordering individual issues and get a year's subscription for $49.95 at http://tinyurl.com/co57d
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3. Write Seasonal Songs
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Musician Bob Baker says that unless you have friends in high places, your independent CD release barely stands a chance of getting radio airplay on commercial stations.
You'll even find that it's difficult to convince college and community stations to give your CD a substantial number of plays on the airwaves.
Bob says that one way to sneak into a station's rotation is to write a novelty song that relates to a current topic in the news or an upcoming holiday. For instance, Christmas songs almost always get some airplay during the Yuletide season. But that's far too obvious.
Try creating songs that pay tribute to more musically obscure holidays such as Thanksgiving or Groundhog Day. And what about Easter, President's Day, Valentine's Day or Columbus Day?
But don't stop there.
Create songs about a local political scandal, winning or losing sports teams, elections or famous local people in the news. Consider a theme song or jingle for one of the popular morning radio shows.
"Believe it or not, novelty songs have a much better chance of getting commercial airplay, which will get your name out there, possibly paving the way for your more serious songs later," Bob says. "Just make sure the novelty or theme song you write and pitch to the station is in line with your overall musical style and identity."
Bob, who also worked as a music magazine editor, will be my guest during the teleseminar "Do-it-Yourself PR Tips for Songwriters, Musicians & Bands on a Budget" from 8 to 9:10 PM Eastern Time on Wednesday, March 29. He'll spill the beans on lots of creative, low-cost ways musicians can get valuable publicity for their bands and their CDs--online and offline. You can register for the teleseminar, or buy the CD or electronic transcript, at http://www.publicityhound.com/teleseminar.htm
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4. NPR and The Hollywood Reporter
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If you're an author, entertainer, speaker or expert who wants to get onto National Public Radio or into the Hollywood Reporter, pay attention.
Nancy Mills, a former journalist who was my guest during a teleseminar a few weeks ago on how to use Craigslist as a free publicity tool for just about anything you're selling (see http://tinyurl.com/mj7rd), hosts her own teleseminar series for women, and she's featuring two guests you won't want to miss.
At 1 PM Eastern Time on April 4, you can listen as NPR radio personality Frances Halpern talks about how she went from radio guest to popular host, what makes an author interesting, the best way to get on a radio show, your to promote yourself, and more.
Frances has interviewed everyone from authors Ray Bradbury to Sue Grafton on her long-running NPR radio show, Beyond Words, on KCLU in California. A successful author herself, Frances knows the tricks of the trade.
At 1 PM Eastern Time on May 2, you can listen as Selena Templeton, calendar editor for The Hollywood Reporter, shows you how to pitch in 50 words or fewer. She monitors a weekly and online listing of entertainment industry events seen by 24,000 people daily. And she receives almost 100 press releases and pitches a day. She says nothing gets your press release into the trash faster than a rambling six-pager that doesn't even state the title of your event.
You can sign up for either of these two teleseminars or the entire series at The Spirited Woman website at http://www.thespiritedwoman.com/spirited_woman_circle/
If you're itching to get booked on NPR and you can't wait to listen to Frances Halpern, or you want tips from as many NPR experts as possible, you'll want to hear from book publicist Lissa Warren, who has booked more than 100 of her clients on NPR shows. The CD or electronic transcript called "How to Get Booked on National Public Radio" shows you how to navigate NPR's labyrinth, where to find the shows that need what you can offer, and how to pitch concisely and convincingly. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/ayms6
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5. How to Promote Spy Moms
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This week, nine Publicity Hounds have ideas for Valerie Agosta of Boise, Idaho. Valerie and her partner work as Spy Moms, a business that does most types of investigative work such as infidelity, lost loves, child custody, insurance fraud, elder abuse, background checks, etc. They received a glut of publicity more than two years ago and now need ideas on how to get back into the media.
From Stacy Lytwyn Maxwell:
"Don’t overlook community/public access television. In Idaho, I believe you have two outlets...Imagine the possibilities: re-dramatizing some interesting cases that you have worked on, or offering a reality kind of spin and giving viewers a moment-to-moment account of some of your current cases (identities, of course, protected.) Who knows. Maybe a bigger network will pick it up."
From Miriam Silverberg:
"Invite a journalist along on one of your forays."
From Angela Moore:
"If that doesn’t scream reality TV, I don’t know what does! Start contacting cable channel programming departments: CourtTV, Discovery, A&E, and Oxygen. Oxygen is looking for atypical programming that empowers women."
The Publicity Hound says: Start writing briefs, one of the very best ways to get into national magazines. Since broadcasters get many of their story ideas from magazines, you may get two hits for the price of one. Briefs include surveys Q&As, Top 10 lists, tip sheets, how-to advice, resource boxes, etc. Talk about trends you're seeing, and if you can tie them into celebrities in the news, do so.
The CD "Briefs, Fillers & Quizzes: How to Write Them and Why Editors Love Them" explains the various types of briefs, how to write them, how to work with editors and what to do after your briefs have been printed. It's also available as an electronic transcript that you can download as soon as your order has been approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/d74h7
Read all the comments at
http://publicityhound.net/?p=532#comments
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6. Help This Hound
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Publicity Hound Tim Martin of Corona, California writes:
"I am working with Rex Bowlby, the author of the book "Why Would I Want the Toy, When I Can Have the Box?...101 Ways to Make the Most of Your Children, With the Least from Your Wallet" at http://www.rexbowlby.com/about-books-whytoy.html
"It provides a treasure chest full of ideas on teaching and bonding with your kids using everyday items that will stimulate their imaginations, such as empty cardboard boxes, which can double as a fort, a robot, a train, a storage container, a house, a basketball hoop, a tunnel, and a pet house.
"But the book hasn't gotten the exposure it needs. Are there any Hounds with unique ideas on how to spread the word about this book? Maybe even a way to move a truckload of copies at a time through a huge church or family organization, perhaps as a fund-raiser?
"This author isn't in it for the money. He's in it to make a difference."
The Publicity Hound says: Hundreds of authors, publishers and book publicists read this newsletter, and I know they'll have great ideas on how to move these books. Hounds with great ideas should post them to my blog at http://publicityhound.net/?p=541
Before Rex does anything, he needs to make sure he has the eight vital promo pieces that will help sell his book. This is the critical step that many authors skip. Dawn Josephson, a book publisher and publicist, explains the eight marketing pieces and how to create them on a CD called "How to Create Eye-opening Promo Pieces That Sell Books."
I use it when coaching authors in my mentoring program. It's also available as an electronic transcript that you can download and be reading as soon as your order is approved.
Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/d7tus
Or read about how to have unlimited access to me as a member of The Publicity Hound Mentor Program at http://tinyurl.com/3tamf
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7. Hound Joke of the Week
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Thanks to Publicity Hound Sophie Wajsman of Melbourne, Australia for this one:
"The noblest dog is the hot dog because it feeds the hand that bites it."
DOG JOKES & QUOTES EBOOK: 170+ G-rated dog jokes and quotes, perfect for a dog-lover, your favorite vet, or just for a few good laughs.
BONUS: Buy the ebook and you also get a compilation of the 50 best websites for dog humor.
http://www.publicityhound.com/dogjokebook/
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8. And at My Blog...
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PR agency websites rank among the lowest
http://publicityhound.net/?p=540
People magazine will listen to pitches even if you aren’t a celebrity
http://publicityhound.net/?p=537
Better Business Bureau logo lends credibility for publicity, Internet marketing
http://publicityhound.net/?p=538
PR Web Canada a great way for fitness trainer to give advice to Canada’s portly prime minister
http://publicityhound.net/?p=536
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Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®:
March 22: Waukesha, Wisconsin
2006 Micro Entrepreneur Expo, "How to Get F~ree Publicity," Part 1 from 5:30-6:15 and Part 2 from 8-8:45 PM, Waukesha Area Technical College; pre-registration $25 or $30 at the door (includes dinner). To register, call 262-695-3468.
March 25: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
I'll be a guest on "Business Solutions," the radio show for entrepreneurs, on WISN-AM 1130, from 2 to 3 PM Eastern Time. Listen to the feed at http://www.newstalk1130.com/pages/streaming.html
May 16: Washington, D.C.
I'll be hosting a half-day public seminar called "Savvy Media Relations: How to Use Your Expertise to Get Thousands of Dollars in F~ree Publicity." Don't miss out on the early bird sign-up. Read all about it at
http://www.Publicityhound.com/washingtondc.htm
May 17: Washington, D.C.
PMA University, Washington D.C. Convention Center. Robin Bartlett and I will present "Advanced Website Tricks to Pull More Traffic and Sell, Sell, Sell," 8:30-10:00 a.m. Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm
May 18: Washington, D.C.
PMA University, Washington, D.C. Convention Center. Penny Sansevieri and I will present "How to Turn Your Ezine into a Cash Machine." Sponsored by Publishers Marketing Association. 8:30-10:15 a.m. Register at http://www.pma-online.org/pmau2005/1.cfm
***If you're in the National Speakers Association or the Public Relations Society of America--or another business, marketing or PR group--and you want details on how to bring in The Publicity Hound to do a fund-raiser for your chapter, or you want me to host a teleseminar customized just for your group, contact me at mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=speaker_inquiry or call 262-284-7451.
***Attention Meeting Planners: If you're booking speakers for winter, spring or summer conferences or events, keep me in mind--even if you have a last-minute cancellation. I deliver high-content, interactive programs that are lots of fun. Call 262-284-7451 or mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com?subject=speaker_inquiry for details.
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Reprinted from "The Publicity Hound's Tips of the Week," a free ezine featuring tips, tricks and tools for generating free publicity. Subscribe at http://www.publicityhound.com/ and receive free by email the handy list "89 Reasons to Send a News Release."
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Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound®
3434 County KK
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U.S.A.
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