Publicity seekers 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 Better Homes have long lead times, while newspapers have deadlines a few weeks from the holiday. Don't forget trade magazines that reach your 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 an overarching 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.
Let's take some of my clients for example. charleston cookies might be positioned as part of a story in Southern Living about Gifts of the South, or Gifts For Southerners Who Moved North. Bank of Commerce stock, which is now on sale, could be part of a story on Kids' Gifts That Keep On Giving. Ty Boyd's Executive Speaking Institute might be part of a story on the Gift Of Learning.
A pet store might publicize Warm and Fuzzy Gifts. Your product might fit into Gifts for Teens, Gifts for Executives, Gifts For Chilling Out, Gifts For Those Who Have Everything: you get the idea.
Now, here is what you should send to the media. Send a pitch letter, or email, that explains how the gift fits into their editorial needs and with their readers or viewers. A one-page release and product photos also should be sent. If you send via email, do not attach a bunch of photos. Find out how the editor prefers to receive them and follow her instructions.
Our next task is to decide where to send the information. Yahoo! has a charleston cookies that you can use for free. There are all sorts of paid services ? like Bacon's - that provide media lists. Better still is the excellent charleston cookies produced by the League of American Communications Professionals.
Get to work now, and get the gift of coverage this Christmas.
Harry Hoover is managing principal of charleston cookies. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Levolor, New World Mortgage, North Carolina Tourism, TeamHeidi, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX, Verbatim and Youth Link USA.
best cleaning company Park Ridge ...Just because a publication is small doesn't mean that getting... Read More
What do you do with junk mail? Are you like... Read More
There's still time to review your public relations program like... Read More
Individual financial planners can outscore bigger competitors and gain market... Read More
One of the greatest ways to promote your product or... Read More
There'll never be a better time for a manager working... Read More
The most important thing to remember for any interview: stay... Read More
As eyes look forward to a new business year, many... Read More
About a year ago I read a feature story in... Read More
You can SO measure return-on-investment for a public relations program!Try... Read More
Media interviews are an important part of an overall public... Read More
Recently someone asked me why so many restaurants go out... Read More
The least expensive, most effective way for you to promote... Read More
When a reporter is wowed, intrigued, surprised or captivated by... Read More
As the comedian Steve Martin once said, "some people have... Read More
As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More
A new public relations blueprint could be a good idea... Read More
Yes, that's what public relations really is when it tracks... Read More
You are if you stand by while your public relations... Read More
Redevelopment is replacing new construction throughout the Greater Boston area,... Read More
Think that you aren't big enough for national media coverage?... Read More
Because PR can be difficult to control, it is often... Read More
There are a lot of things that make a business... Read More
Your boss just stopped by your office. He tells you... Read More
They know they had better do something positive about those... Read More
best value cleaning service Wilmette ...If you own a franchise and have company vehicles, be... Read More
Here are two to-the-point questions recently posed by several association... Read More
The words are pop culture heroes.Movies such as "The Insider,"... Read More
Want to get radio interviews and coverage in print publications... Read More
Big corporations like General Motors and Coca-Cola spend thousands of... Read More
You know that getting publicity is vital to the health... Read More
It really is powerful when a business, non-profit or association... Read More
Yes? Then do something positive about the behaviors of those... Read More
Media interviews are an important part of an overall public... Read More
When I talk with business people, they tend to believe... Read More
You do if you're a business, non-profit or association manager... Read More
Have you ever gotten one of those letters from your... Read More
Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and... Read More
Relationships are based on trust-not just romantic relationships, or doctor/patient... Read More
When you pay good money for public relations services, you... Read More
How do press releases or interest stories have an effect... Read More
Use journalistic styleReporters are busy. Just like you.So when you... Read More
Publicity will take your financial planning practice, your business, and... Read More
What's more crucial to the success of a business, non-profit... Read More
What you are about to read is a step by... Read More
Don't let yourself be diverted by communications tactics playtime. You... Read More
Media management has become one of the strategic tools for... Read More
If you manage a department, division or subsidiary for a... Read More
You won't accomplish much if you call the gas company... Read More
Something that results in your most important outside audiences doing... Read More
Public Relations |