Charlie Cook's MArketing for Success Insider's Club

Public Relations (PR)

How To Deal With PR Rejection and Come Out Alive

By Rick Frishman   |   June 7, 2011

A few years ago, coauthor, Jill Lublin pitched an idea to a producer for a nationally syndicated cooking show, but the producer didn’t buy Jill’s idea.

After the rejection, Jill continued to call the producer every month, even though she didn’t have anything to pitch…

Read More »


The Easy Way To Get Celebrities To Promote Your Product

By Joan Stewart   |   February 11, 2011

For years, Debra Holtzman kept wishing and hoping that she’d generate publicity in top-tier newspapers and magazines and on the big morning TV shows like “Good Morning, America” because of her expertise in child safety.

But the wishing and hoping got her a media hit here and there. Then Debra found the key that not only unlocked the door to publicity, but had the media practically tripping over themselves to interview her. Even the bloggers loved her. Read More »


How To Make A Profit From Your Photograph

By Joan Stewart   |   December 29, 2010

Whenever I send a news release about something I’ve done to my local newspapers or trade journals, I hardly ever hear feedback from my neighbors or peers, even when I know it’s been printed.
But when I send my photo with the release and it’s printed, I hear a chorus that sounds like this:
“I saw your picture in the paper!”
“Did you know you’re in the most recent issue of PR Tactics?”
“Hey, I was Googling last week and your photo showed up on a website for writers. I thought your article was terrific.”
That’s music to The Publicity Hound’s ears. That’s because in the majority of cases, a photo attracts readers’ attention and draws them to the news item.
Yet journalists remain continually frustrated by the inability of publicists and others who pitch to understand the incredible power of photos. Freelance writer Pat Luebke, who writes for the restaurant and aviation industries, says a lack of photos is one of her top pet peeves.
“People keep trying to get into more and more newspapers and magazines,” she says. “If they’d only understand that especially with the digital cameras that are available today, making photos available to editors automatically DOUBLES the space you receive.”
Gina Spadofori, who writes a syndicated pet page for Universal Press Syndicate, says she has a continual problem finding good images to fill a small hole on a page.
“The availability of high-quality, high-resolution art can tip a ‘maybe’ item into the ‘yes’ category,” she says.
In fact, one good-quality photo that accompanies your story pitch can automatically move a story from Page 21 to Pages 1, 2 or 3 in a newspaper or magazine. Craig Saunders, editor of Prism, Canada’s magazine for eye care, echoes what many other magazine editors say:
“In the front section of our magazine, nothing gets in without good photos–nothing!”
I have my own pet peeves regarding photos. A man in a photo looks as though he has a plant growing out of the top of his head. One woman gave me a photo of her in a sleeveless blouse, with her bra strap showing. One person gave me a snapshot of him and his dog. The dog had the dreaded “red eye” problem that we see so frequently, leading us to wonder if all dogs and even people have red eyes.
I became so frustrated with these problems that I wrote “How to Use Photos & Graphics in Your Publicity Campaign,” a 138-page ebook that walks you step by step through the entire process of how to take your own photos and create your own graphics. The ebook includes everything from a thorough explanation of camera equipment and the elements of great photos to things such as the pros and cons of prints versus digital photos, how to optimize photos for your website so it loads quickly, how to take photos at your own special event if the media refuses to cover it, and how to use creative photos for routine announcements like births, weddings and anniversaries.
Those of you who need to hire a professional photographer will find an entire chapter devoted to saving you time and money finding the best professional for the job. It also lists the important questions to ask photographers so you don’t find yourself in a legal battle over the use of photos years later.
You’ll find tips for pitching “stand-alone” photos, ideas on how to get an entire page of pre-event coverage, and 18 ways to stay on a photographer’s good side. Learn about dozens of bonehead mistakes you shouldn’t be making. You can download the ebook and be reading it in just a few minutes. Read

Whenever I send a news release about something I’ve done to my local newspapers or trade journals, I hardly ever hear feedback from my neighbors or peers, even when I know it’s been printed.

But when I send my photo with the release and it’s printed, I hear a chorus that sounds like this:

“I saw your picture in the paper!”

“Did you know you’re in the most recent issue of PR Tactics?” Read More »


What Honey The Money Dog Can Teach You About PR

By Joan Stewart   |   December 3, 2010

Filling up your gas tank doesn’t get more fun than this.

When Don Rogers picked up a Cocker Spaniel named honey six years ago at the dog pound, he could never have guessed… Read More »


The One PR Mistake You Should Avoid

By Rick Frishman   |   November 24, 2010

Writers, editors, and producers seldom have time to talk with you on the phone. Usually, they’re so busy that even the briefest conversation takes them away from pressing projects. So every second counts!

In the first ten seconds, seasoned news people know… Read More »


Get Tons of Free Publicity With This Crazy Idea

By Joan Stewart   |   November 5, 2010

Sometimes a crazy idea isn’t so crazy after all. Here’s how some members of the National Speakers Association have generated ongoing publicity for their businesses — and in one case, started a whole new career.  Read More »


15 Things the Media Hates

By Rick Frishman   |   October 8, 2010

Now that you know what to do in order to solicit a positive response—here’s what to avoid:

1. Not Taking “No” for an Answer
Persistence is an admirable trait, but there comes a point when you must accept defeat. Most people won’t build relationships with insistent callers who phone 500 times after they’re told “No.” When someone says “No,” accept it. Walk away before you destroy a potentially valuable connection.
Read More »


Google Alerts’ Big Payoff

By Joan Stewart   |   September 28, 2010

Google Alerts might well be the most valuable online tool you can use in your publicity campaign.

Just ask publicist Renee Young, whose client, Dr. Amiya Prasad, a New York City plastic surgeon, appeared on a two-minute segment on “Good Morning America” as a result.

Google Alerts is a nifty service that notifies you as soon as something appears online about your area of expertise. Read More »


15 Things the Media Loves

By Rick Frishman   |   September 22, 2010

This post sets the record straight on what you can do to become friends with the media—and what will make you its enemy. Use this set of 15 points wisely. Do what they like, it is that simple.

What The Media Loves
Here are fifteen of its favorite things: Read More »


Why You Should Join Your Local Press Club

By Joan Stewart   |   September 14, 2010

Here’s an easy way to meet lots of journalists face-to-face in a relaxed social setting.

Join your local press club. Press clubs promote journalism excellence through a variety of programs, activities and monthly meetings. Most members are from the working press, but plenty of PR people also belong.

David Niles, former editor of the Small Business Times in Milwaukee and a former president of the Milwaukee Press Club, says Read More »