There are many ways you can get tons of free publicity in the form of write-ups in magazines, newspapers, and even radio and TV. And sometimes you can turn family events into human-interest stories that editors like and will publish in their magazine and newspapers
One way is to compose a printed news release on your product or service, but include a story involving your family into the release. Write the release like a news article in a newspaper. Tell who, what, when, why, and how interested people can benefit from your product. Avoid hard selling copy --- just give the facts, and if you can weave in an interesting story in the process, all the better.
For example, I am a musician with a line of products in the music educational field. Years ago I created a giant musical staff out of plastic and turned it into a game that kids could play on the floor. In the news release about it, I told how my own kids used it, and included some dialog between them:
"That's a whole note!" exclaimed my daughter Kendra.
"Is not! It's got a stem, and whole notes don't have stems" my son Kurt corrected her.
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Is too!"
"Is not!"
"Oh?what's a stem, Kurt?"
"It's the line coming down from the note head, stupid."
"I am not stupid!"
"Are too!"
"Am not!"
Finally Mom intervened before an all-out war broke out.
But henceforth and evermore both of my kids knew the difference between a whole note and a half note.
For some reason, editors found that little story amusing, and wrote up the story pretty much as I sent it in. They also included information on how interested parents could get a "Giant Staff Game" for their own kids, and as a result we got orders from all over the states and some foreign countries from both parents and schools. It was written up in House Beautiful, Better Homes & Gardens, plus many music magazines and teachers' journals.
This was not just a one-time fluke, either -- over the years we received news write-ups galore in everything from the Wall Street Journal to Popular Mechanics -- all related to our product, but written in a way to make editors smile and then decide to publish the release in their publications.
Can you do the same? Think about the funny little incidents in your family life, and then think of ways you can work that into a news release about your product or service.
Duane Shinn is the author of over 500 music books and music educational materials such as DVD's, CD's, musical games for kids, chord charts, musical software, and piano lesson instructional courses for adults. His courses have been written up in hundreds of newspapers and magazines. His book-CD-DVD course titled "How To Play Chord Piano" (http://www.chordpiano.com) has sold over 100,000 copies around the world. He holds an advanced degree from Southern Oregon University and was the founder of Piano University in Southern Oregon. He has also logged time as an assistant music therapist and piano tuner, as well as a working pianist. He is the author of the popular free 101-week e-mail newsletter titled "Amazing Secrets Of Exciting Piano Chords & Sizzling Chord Progressions" with over 55,000 current subscribers. Those interested may obtain a free subscription by going to http://www.chordpiano.com
green cleaning service Park Ridge ..1. Appearing in other types of media is the best... Read More
For business, non-profit or association managers like yourself, survival pretty... Read More
In competing for a piece of business not too long... Read More
Think that you aren't big enough for national media coverage?... Read More
For those business, non-profit and association managers committed to PR... Read More
Quite a bit, actually. Public relations helps business, non- profit... Read More
Most small businesses have logo'ed shirts, usually polo shirts with... Read More
As the practice of public relations in China continues to... Read More
Your important outside audiences behave in ways that stop you... Read More
They know they had better do something positive about those... Read More
They'd hate to admit it, but the media is pretty... Read More
Can your PR do something positive about the behaviors of... Read More
Think for a moment! If you were to do a... Read More
Let's start out with a caution for business, non-profit and... Read More
Ideally, you will have two types of quotes in your... Read More
So, you've had your book published or you've gone the... Read More
Do you want to be quoted by the national press... Read More
Do small-business owners always have to rely on large PR... Read More
Just about anyone who has been in the public eye... Read More
Prior to launching a new public relations campaign, evaluate the... Read More
As a mobile detailing company it is important to have... Read More
It's one thing for a senior manager to approve story... Read More
It took me a while to see just HOW crucial... Read More
That's like asking if advertising is all about type faces... Read More
When your book is mentioned on television, sales go up.... Read More
cleaning help near Bannockburn ..As a business, non-profit or association manager, do you see... Read More
It behooves you to know and remember the names of... Read More
The Today show? The New York Times? Vanity Fair? What's... Read More
Sure, as tactics usually presented to business, non-profit and association... Read More
Once considered the stepchild of the publishing industry, custom publishing... Read More
Think that you aren't big enough for national media coverage?... Read More
Small Business Owners should send press releases out at least... Read More
Business, non-profit or association managers hurt their own public relations... Read More
Receiving free advertising is the dream of most business people.... Read More
The name of the game is doing our part to... Read More
I often begin my media training sessions by asking members... Read More
Sorry about my otaku with this issue (otaku = more... Read More
Yes? Then do something positive about the behaviors of those... Read More
As an owner of an independent record label, I often... Read More
When starting a successful business venture or launching a new... Read More
What is the true purpose of public relations and how... Read More
Commit this to memory, please: To get in the media,... Read More
For business, non-profit or association managers like yourself, survival pretty... Read More
If you have had any experience in public relations or... Read More
You know that getting publicity is vital to the health... Read More
The call came into my office and the voice on... Read More
Don't assume that a reporter understands financial planning. If anything,... Read More
If you manage a department, division or subsidiary for a... Read More
Every reporter, from the cub at the small town paper... Read More
At the core of any successful public relations campaign is... Read More
Public Relations |