The Right Hook

Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on a top-rated TV show like The Today Show or Oprah?

Eileen Roth, a professional organizer just a year into her business, was able to get on both shows using the time-honored technique of the news hook.

Understanding the News Nook

Do-it-yourself PR people often tell prospects that the print and broadcast media will interview you simply because you are an expert in your field. Actually, the cold truth is that you have to earn the media's interest by providing them with the kind of news hook that shows:

* You understand what their audience values.

* You have tied what you want to promote into what's going on in the world today.

* You have read, watched, or listened to that specific media outlet and know how you would fit in.

Before you approach a media outlet you must brainstorm why your news will be of high interest to their audience. This is your pitch, be it a verbal pitch or in the form of a news release.

Putting a Story Together for the Media

Your news must whet the appetite and imagination of the editor, reporter, or producer so he can visualize the compelling story at the nucleus of your pitch. He needs to see at a glance how your news will play out on paper, radio, or TV, and how your news will appeal to the needs and interests of his readers.

This means you must first find relevant, newsworthy story ideas and condense them into information packed, "user friendly" pitches and releases that will shout "great story" to the media professionals reading them.

Piggybacking on a Holiday

Most people only consider 'traditional' holidays like Christmas as a news peg, but you will find thousands of other holidays in Chase's Directory of Events (McGraw-Hill). This is where professional organizer Eileen Roth found National Clean Off Your Desk Day and used it as a news peg to contact TV producers. Along with her news release, she included an information sheet listing her seven principles for a clean desk.

For the price of just a couple of first class stamps, Eileen Roth got invited to appear on the Today show (twice) and Oprah.

You can too!

If you want to promote your business on national television, take a "can do" hint from Roth. Check out Chase's Directory of Events at your local library today.

Profit from free articles and how-to information at http://www.buildingbuzz.com. Marisa D'Vari is author of the new Building Buzz: How to Reach and Impress Your Target Audience, is available on Amazon at bookstores everywhere.

Culver prom limo ..

In The News:

An artificial intelligence-powered home security system can fire paintballs and tear gas at trespassers. The camera identifies human faces and animals.

Technology expert Kim Komando gives her tips and tricks on enhancing your user experience a smartphone and other devices you use everyday.

A new camera called NUCA uses artificial intelligence to create deepfake photos of subjects by stripping away clothing in close to real time.

The Kimberley Kube trail-ready camper has a compact but spacious design and combines luxury, functionality and ruggedness for a weekend getaway.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Emails instructing you to reset your password for an account may be legitimate, or they may be scams. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains.

Northrop Grumman's Manta Ray uncrewed underwater vehicle aims to revolutionize undersea missions — it glides through the ocean without human assistance.

Learn how to work Google's calendar application to streamline and organize your daily tasks from technology expert Kim Komando.

If you do not want Facebook to have automatic access to your private photos, follow our tips to protect yourself. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson shows you how.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson goes into detail about Apple’s recent iOS update that allows iPhone users to instantly translate spoken language simply by using the Action Button.

Safeguarding your digital life with a reliable physical backup isn't just a precaution, it's a necessity. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson provides the essential backup checklist.

Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how a Redditor exposed false recycling claims at their apartment, highlighting a report that only 21% of U.S. recyclables are processed.

Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson offers a travel toolkit featuring five technology tools to help you with booking flights and hotels for your summer vacation.

The bubble behind the clock on your iPhone can appear in different colors. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains what each of those colors mean.

Scammers are using the power of artificial intelligence to mimic voices of people and are using the fake voices to commit crimes, like kidnappings.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the science behind the Invisibility Shield, a 6-foot shield that makes people become invisible.

The International Olympic Committee on Friday announced plans to use AI in various Olympic aspects, including athlete identification, training and judging.

Tech guru Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains an easy trick to avoid squinting while working or surfing the web by zooming in on your personal computer.

Streaming giant Roku has recently been targeted by a pair of cyberattacks, and the company confirmed over a half million Roku accounts were compromised.

The Land Aircraft Carrier combines an all-terrain, six-wheeled vehicle with a two-seat aircraft, which features electric vertical takeoff and landing.

The European Union has sent TikTok a "request for information" on the video sharing platform's newest app, TikTok Lite, under the Digital Services Act, with the aim to clean up social media.

Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.

The FBI is warning the public about a recent phishing scam via text that claims its targets owe money in Pennsylvania for unpaid road toll charges.

Your Apple Music settings may be revealing to your contacts what you're listening to. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson explains the process to change those settings.

The Right Hook

Public Relations