Header image

Public Relations Pitches

November 6th, 2014 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Good morning!

One of the most subjective areas of public relations is the traditional media pitch.  Some believe they should include a press release while others think a Twitter ping is the best.  In my opinion it is a little of both.  Including a press release is never a bad thing but it should not be the only thing.   Pitches need to be short.  Think about it this way.  You have the biggest piece of gossip in your neighborhood, you see your neighbor and you run up to them and tell them the gossip.  That is your pitch.  Don’t mention the history of the person or who they are in detail, just give them the facts!

Here are my tips for a great pitch:

1. Lead with the most important piece of information.

2. Make sure your grammar is correct.

3. Tell what makes your story credible.

4. Make sure to include your contact information.

5.  Match your story to the respondent.  In other words, make sure your story is relevant to the person you are pitching.

Here is a very helpful link from the program, This American Life.  The released pitches that were developed into stories.

Enjoy!

http://www.thisamericanlife.org/about/submissions/sample-pitches

Telling Your Story

July 30th, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

As a book publicist I strive to tell stories to the media.  First and foremost, I keep track of what is newsworthy as well as the current trends.  For example, currently the Snowden and Manning stories are in the news as well as the royal baby and the Real Housewives of New Jersey.
Figuring out what is a credible news story has changed over the years.   One has to have an ear for what is interesting.  With social media and blogs, news moves very fast.  A publicist has to keep up with how fast the news moves.
Here are some tips for keeping up with the news trends.
1.     Download apps that are constantly updating.  Apps such as USA Today, CNN, TMZ, and Pop Sugar.
2.    Watch the news.  Listen to stories that journalists are already covering.
3.    How are they writing the story?  Let the journalist be your teacher.  Are they writing a story in   short sentences?  Chances are they are short and to the point.  Mimic that.
4.    Take a look at your history and story.  What is newsworthy?
5.    Be sure to be flexible with your story.   A journalist may cancel an interview but chances are they will come back to you in the future.  Be sure to follow up and follow through.
Let me know your thoughts!
Sara

The Witherspoon P.R. Mistake

April 23rd, 2013 | Posted by Sara in Uncategorized - (0 Comments)

Friday night Reese Witherspoon committed the ultimate celebrity crime: She used the phrase, “Don’t You Know Who I Am?”

When I read the news of Witherspoon’s arrest on Sunday night, I was shocked.  Reese Witherspoon is the Doris Day of Hollywood.  Her reputation has been solid since she appeared in her first movie,  “A Man in the Moon.”

She won an Oscar for “Walk the Line” and has three kids who are adjusted.   They live a quiet life and seem to operate as a traditional family.

Being arrested for disorderly conduct is a 180-degree departure from her reputation.

However, this is a study in PR.   Her reputation has been damaged but she can revive her career.
Below are my suggestions for Witherspoon’s recovery.

The Good Girl image is gone.  It will not come back because journalists will continue to bring this up until she addresses the arrest.

I suggest she embrace it.

1.    Tell your story.  What happened?  Was she confused about their alcohol level?  Why didn’t she call a taxi?  Educated others about her mistakes.

2.    This makes her edgier.  Take advantage of this to get more radical roles.  Become a superhero.  Make dramas.  Embrace the change.

3.    Admit to the “Don’t You Know who I Am” remark.  How does fame change a person and how can someone deal with it.

In the end, she is just a person and we all make mistakes.  However, this is something that will not go away and Reese needs to address these issues.