Publicity tips/Secure a spot on event calendars September 5, 2006

The Publicity Hound's
Tips of the Week
Issue #309 - Sept. 5, 2006
Publisher: Joan Stewart
mailto:JStewart@PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.com
http://www.PublicityHound.net (Blog)
The Publicity Hound®

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This is the last week to buy the 2006 updated version of "SpecialReport #29: Fly High with Publicity in the Inflight Magazines" before the price goes up on Friday. It includes all the information we could find--including editors' names, mailing addresses, emails, phone numbers, websites, pitching tips--for 42 inflight magazines, including many overseas carriers. So get it today before the price goes up on Friday. Order at http://tinyurl.com/n3pk4
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In This Issue
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1. Secure a Spot on Event Calendars

2. A Scrumptious Foodie Campaign

3. September 11 Anniversary

4. Media Leads

5. Promoting a TV Show for Kids

6. Help This Hound

7. Hound Quote of the Week

8. And at My Blog...

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1. Secure a Spot on Event Calendars
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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 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, 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.

All for $10. Order at http://tinyurl.com/erwqo


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2. A Scrumptious Foodie Campaign
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A tip of the hat to Publicity Hound Sue Lowery of Chattanooga,Tennessee for letting me know about the recent award received by Alabama's Bureau of Tourism and Travel for their "Year of Food"campaign.

It included:

--A cook-off among 60 chefs

--A food products promotion in more than 1,000 grocery stores in partnership with the Alabama Grocers Association

--A stamp featuring a tomato logo used to mail information to the media.

--A brochure listing favorite dishes in dozens of Alabama towns. It was the most popular feature, with some 400,000 copies of "100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama Before You Die" being distributed.

"I thought it was such a great idea, and thought you might want to share it with your readers, especially since I know you have some cookbook authors/publishers on your list," Sue said. "WishI'd had the idea!"

So what's wrong with other states or convention and visitors bureaus borrowing this idea? I found their website at http://www.800alabama.com/yof/recipes/ and lots of yummy recipes, from Cajun frog legs to "Creamed Potatoes like Mamaw used to make."

You should never ever be at a loss for food stories to pitch. "Publicity Tips for Restaurants, Chefs & Foodies" gives you 51 of my best ideas that local and national media will love. I worked as a restaurant reviewer and food columnist, so I know exactly what kinds of stories to pitch, and when. It's available as a CD and comes with a list of all 51 ideas that you can download as soon as your order has been approved. Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/clr26


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3. September 11 Anniversary
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The media are gearing up for print, broadcast and online stories about the fifth anniversary of
the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. I see all kinds of ways to piggyback onto this story:

--On the evening of the anniversary of the attacks, memorials are taking shape in Pennsylvania, New York and Washington, D.C. Are there any memorials planned for your community?

--How has Sept. 11 changed the way you do business or changed the services your nonprofit offers? Or how has it changed your policies regarding safety and security?

--Are you the local angle to this national story? Do you have something to share that your local newspapers and TV stations would be interested in?

--Do you have an opinion to share about how Sept. 11 has affected you? If so, send a letter to the editor or opinion column to local and national newspapers. But hurry. Sept. 11 is less than a week away.

--If you blog, post a comment about how the terrorist attacks have affected your life.

--Do you know about an unsung hero who was involved with the rescue and clean-up efforts either in New York City, Washington, D.C. or Pennsylvania? Pitch a profile to local, regional or national media.

--Are teachers planning special lessons for their students on Monday, September 11? Education reporters might want to know.

If you pitch, and you hear nothing back from the journalist, don't despair. There are several specific things you should do when following up with them without making a pest of yourself .Author Jill Lublin contacted several dozen journalists and got their best tips on how to follow up. She explains them all during the teleseminar "Failproof Ways to Follow Up After Sending a News Release or a Story Pitch." It's available as a CD or 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/bmyn7


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4. Media Leads
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Judith Lederman, editor-in-chief of The WAG, the premier "Gabazine" for Westchester County and Greenwich, Connecticut, at http://www.westchesterwag.com/, has two requests for columns and story ideas. She writes:

"I have an editorial calendar pretty much set in stone but am absolutely amenable to having some of the articles bylined by PR folks (as long as their articles aren't self-serving) and I'm open to pitches. Blurbs at the end of these articles may include credits and contact information. PR people pitching must be aware that my audience is very upscale and skews somewhat older and suburban (40+ and largely female). Donald Trump, his wife and child will be on our next cover and they have provided us with an exclusive interview. Previous covers have included local celebs Bonnie Fuller, Joan Lunden, Ralph Lauren and Ed Hill. The tone of the publication is W meets Town & Country with just a bit of NY Magazine and the Social Diary thrown in for good measure. Upcoming calendar articles that are looking for authors include:

"Hi-Tech Holidays: How Technology Helps Families Get Together for the Holidays (webcams, photosharing and other methods)

"Laser Healing: The Most Up-to-Date Laser Uses in Medical and Dental Technologies

"Beyond the Bed: Designing the Perfect 'Never Need to Leave' Bedroom

"I am also looking for a responsible event planner to byline a monthly column called 'In Any Event.' It's currently being written by an event planner who has been unable to meet deadlines, which is crippling me. Anyone who takes on the task of writing a bylined article MUST be responsible about my deadlines. The topics for 'In Any Event' vary and I am open to suggestions but have a few of my own as well."

Anyone interested can email her at mailto:jlederman@westchesterwag.com

Judith adds:

"Because I am also a PR person, I am very friendly to PR folks who pitch correctly. If they don't pitch right, I am also friendly BUT they are subjected to a 10-minute (FREE but informative no-holds barred) lecture about how to pitch an editor the RIGHT way!)"

The Publicity Hound says: If you're pitching Judith or anyone else, you must keep your pitch to less than one computer screen of type, or less than 30 seconds over the phone (15 seconds is even better). If you feel uncomfortable pitching or you don't know how to catch a reporter's attention quickly, publicity expert Raleigh Pinskey knows all the inside tricks. You can see how she takes long, rambling pitches and turns them into pitches of 15 seconds or less, on the CD or electronic transcript called" How to Create the Perfect 30-Second Pitch." Read more about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/6xghx


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5. Promoting a TV Show for Kids
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This week, nine Publicity Hounds have tips for Jennifer Perry of Atlanta, Georgia. She needs help promoting the "Pam & Buffy" TV show for kids, based in Atlanta. She says Atlanta media aren't interested in the show. Her client does a lot of charity work, such as getting emergency dental work for children of very poor families.

From Gail Sideman:

"Media loves pets and kids so my suggestion for Pam & Buffy is to hold a Buffy look-a-like contest and combine it with a brief walk that benefits its charity, U-R Special. It would be a great way to communicate the show and its message of giving to help others. In addition to attracting media, it should serve to enforce to kids and adults that when you’re generous with your time, you will feel good about yourself and can have fun at the same time.


From Sue Lowery:

"October is National Dental Health Month. How about focusing on the dentist(s) that do emergency dental work on kids? That might be a timely angle with good visuals at the dentist’s office."


From Patrice Dickey:

"The new magazine Atlanta Dog Life (editor Kitty Roberts mailto:kroberts@atlantadoglife.com ) might want to link up with you somehow, especially if you offer activities gratis for the underprivileged. You might want to include the birthday party angle too."


Read all the responses at http://tinyurl.com/ob6u4


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6. Help this Hound
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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 at http://www.elementsofstyle.us/ However, I want to emphasize that it is at this point primarily a marketing vehicle that I am 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?"

The Publicity Hound says: Let's have at it, Hounds. Post your best ideas to my blog at http://tinyurl.com/lxtub In the meantime, if I were you, Rudy, I'd start blogging about the kinds of things you sell, then link from blog items to the website. A blog is like a big online magnet that pulls in traffic. Don Crowther's excellent ebook "Blogging for Business" shows you all the ways to make money using a blog. Read about what you'll learn at http://tinyurl.com/7fjrk


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7. Hound Quote of the Week
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"Dogs never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself, and keep up an appearance of being interested in the conversation."

--Jerome K. Jerome, English humorist


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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Google Alerts a great way
to learn about reporters
http://tinyurl.com/kkrae


Press release writing workshop
Oct. 31 in West Bend, Wisconsin
http://tinyurl.com/s42dc


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Where to Meet or Hear The Publicity Hound®

October 31, 2006: West Bend, Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin, part of the "Adding to Your Organization's Toolbox--Media and Public Relations" series, sponsored by the University of Wisconsin-Washington County, UW-Extension, Volunteer Center of Washington County and The United Way of Washington County. I'll present "Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast & Online Publicity" for nonprofits from 8 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a media panel. Over lunch, from 11:30 until 1, I'll present "How to Write Powerful Press Releases." Registration is $35 for the first session and $8 for the luncheon session on press releases. To register, and to submit a press release that you'd like me to rewrite for the second class, contact Dan Anhalt at mailto:dan.anhalt@uwc.edu or(262) 335-5218.


March 17, 2007: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

"Savvy Media Relations: How to Get FREE Print, Broadcast and Online Publicity." 8 a.m. to noon. Details pending.

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Joan Stewart
a.k.a. The Publicity Hound®
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Phone: 262-284-7451 (Central)
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