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Friday, April 30, 2010

Pet product?

Did you know you still may have lots of PR opportunities in 2010?

• Oct. issue of the Griffin Report is covering the Pet Aisle
• Oct. issue of Private Label Magazine is featuring pet care
• July/Aug issue of Web MD Magazine is on Pet Health
• Oct issue of Women’s Day is on Pets
• Sept. issue of Coastal Living Magazine is covering Pet Products & pampering
• July issue of VMSD is on Pet Care
• SheKnows October is featuring Perfectly Pampered Pets in their Living section
• May 2 – “Be Kind to Animals Week/National Pet Week”

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Christmas Time is Here!

Public Relations specialists know that Christmas can provide a bonanza of media coverage. Every media outlet, it seems is cranking out a special edition on gifts for the winter holidays. So, Christmas is the time to get ink for your product.

For many of these opportunities you need to be thinking at least six months out so that your product or service finds its way into the special sections. Magazines like BH&G or Woman's Day have long lead times, while newspapers, tv and radio have deadlines a few weeks from the holiday. And don't forget trade magazines that reach your wholesale customers. Electronic media typically will work closer to the actual holiday date. Another avenue to consider is syndicated columnists, who also have shorter lead times.

A great way to get coverage is to suggest a story idea into which your product or service fits. Think about the users as well as the use for your offering, and think about the publication and what their readers like. Best bet is to look at their editorial calendar.

So it is about to be May and 6 months is November and that’s when lots of Christmas gift sections shop up in publications. Best get going.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Getting Picked Up By the Media

Do you have a great idea for a story? Or a great product that solves problems? But no clue how to get it in the news? Are you tired of pitching press releases the news media simply ignores? Writing attention-getting releases isn't about lying, but about putting a creative twist on the truth.

So, here are seven steps to increase your chances of getting covered:

1) BE TO THE POINT
The press gets tons of pitches, press releases, news releases, article submissions; they do not have time to read all of it. Writing a pitch is short and sweet.

2) BE DIFFERENT OR CONTROVERSIAL
Out-of-the ordinary is what they seek. If you are not out of the ordinary find a way to make it so. Research via Google News and see what is going on in the world as it relates to your pitch and tie it in. Tips from the experts on how to....you name it they like it.

3) WELL WRITTEN
It must be well-written, moving, funny, and dramatic, with no spelling or grammar errors.

4) WRITE LIKE A REPORTER
You read. What kinds of things have caught your eye to read further? Write the kind of headline that a magazine or newspaper would run. And be conversational so that a TV anchor could read it right on the air. Why is this so important? Newsrooms get hundreds of press releases every day. Often the decision on whether to cover your story is made in a matter of seconds. If you do the work for them, they will pick you and not the other guy.

5) CHOOSE THE RIGHT REPORTER
Make sure it is a topic that Reporter writes about. Read previous articles they have written. Perhaps the most common mistake you can make is trying to sell a good story to the wrong person. Most reporters have a specialty, like "fashion" or "food." Seek out the reporter who will have the most to benefit from your story. Start studying the news. Before you call a TV station or try and pitch the paper, become familiar with a reporter's work. Don't try and sell an investigative story to a reporter who covers books.

6) BE VISUAL OR…
Reporters tell stories with pictures. If the pictures aren't there, chances are the reporters won't be either. Even the most non-visual story can be made visual if you're creative. Don’t send an attachment though, be sure to embed a link to the image or share the website. Print reporters want photographs and online/TV reporters want video and radio, well they want audio.

7) WAIT FOR A SLOW NEWS DAY
The holidays are the slowest "news times" of the year. When government offices and banks are closed, news slows down. So take advantage of it. Check this site for those holidays: http://www.opm.gov/Operating_Status_Schedules/fedhol/2010.asp

If the government isn't making news, reporters are scrambling to find something to cover. Pitch even an average story on a day when the media is starving for news, and you're much more likely to get coverage.

But if it is not a slow news day, be different, visual, and pitch it to the right person.

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FreeOnlineNovels.com

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This great site is operated by Mark Gladding in Australia. It lists both free and paid books. You’ll find submission guidelines here:
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Finding Free Ebooks

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Thursday, April 15, 2010

How Do I Get a Barcode

I just got off the phone with a referral asking me how to get a barcode. So here is what I know:

An organization called the Uniform Code Council assigns the numbers – see http://www.uc-council.org/ – it will cost $75 to get a number assigned. Once a number is assigned, THEN you can order the actual bar codes as a stick-on item, or have the code printed directly on your product by your printer.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Press Release Distribution Options

My previous post came from a site called HR Marketer and they have lots of cool info to share. Here's some more info to know:

The simple task of Sending out a press release is not so simple anymore. Making sense of your press release distribution options is becoming increasingly difficult because there are so many product choices, with new ones emerging monthly and existing ones adding features regularly. This article walks companies through best practices in news distribution.

http://tinyurl.com/y2572bj

Social Media Marketing

I search the web often for potential information to post to Twitter and then on this blog. Here's one I thought would be of benefit. Even though they are talking about Human Resources, there is plenty of great info to know.

Here's a quote from the HR Marketer site:

Social media marketing is all about combining the power of online marketing and social networking so that HR suppliers converse openly with their buying universe about their firm – good, bad and all in between. Social media marketing uses social networking services as a means of doing just that. This eBook outlines the importance of participating in social media marketing that will definitely come back to HR suppliers in the form of familiarity, trust, thought leadership and credibility with their customers, prospects and influencers. Another powerful way to generate publicity, traffic and leads.

http://tinyurl.com/yg2rtoq

PR Lead for Inventors

Summary: Radio show looking for successful inventors & expert resources for inventors

Name: Terry Morris

Email: terry@gotinvention.com

Title: Program Director

Media Outlet: Got Invention Radio

Specific Geographic Region: N

Region: US

Query:
New radio show specifically geared towards inventors is looking for future
guests to be featured on the show and tell about their journey to success
or if you provide resources for inventors we would like to hear from you.