Most people consider getting publicity the most important part of public relations. It's also very mysterious to many people. Here are my top five publicity myths, to help make publicity better understood.
1. Who you (or your publicist) knows at the media is more important than the story idea. Sure, it's easier to get a reporter or writer that knows you to listen to your pitch. But unless the pitch is good, it doesn't matter if your contacts are your best friends -- they won't risk their jobs on your bad idea.
2. The amount of time spent on an interview determines how much publicity you will receive. I know people who have been interviewed for an hour and a half, and have only received a line in a publication (or none at all). I also know people who were interviewed for 20 minutes who received a half-page profile. It all depends on the story the writer is putting together, who else they are interviewing, and editorial decisions.
3. You have control over the information presented. One of the differences between advertising and publicity is that you pay for advertising and publicity is "free." Another difference is that by paying for advertising, you control the message. The publicity you receive may contain an inaccurate quote, or may present your information in a different way than you had intended. These are possibilities, and should be taken in stride.
4. A publicist can guarantee media coverage. Unless it is paid for, there is no guarantee of coverage. Even something that has a target broadcast or publication date can be moved if a hot story overshadows yours.
5. The media will jump on a great idea and work on the story immediately. What may seem like the greatest news in the world to you (and might actually be) is just one of many "hot" pitches that the media receive. Unless it is a major event (usually a grim one), the media takes their time determining their interest in a story. That's why constant follow-up is so necessary for all pitches.
Copyright 2005 Margie Fisher All Rights Reserved
Margie Fisher is President of Margie Fisher Public Relations. She is also the author of the Do-It-Yourself Public Relations Kit?. To sign up for her free biweekly PRactical P.R. newsletter, and to see more free articles, visit http://www.margiefisher.com
Something that results in your most important outside audiences doing... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, you have a... Read More
When is your best advertisement not an advertisement? When it's... Read More
Why, public relations that stays true to its fundamental premise,... Read More
Would you like to expand the volume of your business?... Read More
A musician spends years honing his craft. He writes world-class... Read More
To survive in business, you've got to focus your attention... Read More
If you do, it means:you don't value tracking the perceptions... Read More
You want to sell your products or services, and that... Read More
As a business, non-profit and association manager, how satisfied are... Read More
Have you fantasized about spreading word of your business on... Read More
You can have dozens of marvelous ideas to get free... Read More
Being invited to appear on radio and television used to... Read More
How do press releases or interest stories have an effect... Read More
Southern grandmothers have often said, "there are only three... Read More
You can if, as a business, non-profit or association manager,... Read More
Non-news professionals often have a hard time understanding why their... Read More
Sure, as tactics usually presented to business, non-profit and association... Read More
Unlike some professionals like lawyers and doctors, financial planners aren't... Read More
The toughest thing about writing a news release is getting... Read More
Everyone has something that drives them up a wall. You... Read More
True, because department, division or subsidiary managers for a business,... Read More
Although repetition is extremely important, there are times when advertising... Read More
Think of a triangle. On the left, imagine the story... Read More
What's a press release? This is generally a one page... Read More
I often begin my media training sessions by asking members... Read More
PR that really does something positive about the behaviors of... Read More
You never want to inundate a reporter with information, but... Read More
Really? You mean there are NO perceptions and behaviors peculiar... Read More
"I want a pony, a tree house and the fastest... Read More
When times are tough, it's no time to ignore those... Read More
Just like a financial planning client fears not having enough... Read More
As an entry level position to PR, I found myself... Read More
Andrew Bogut, the Australian basketballer is now officially in the... Read More
How do you make a friend of the media? A... Read More
PRESIDENT BUSH TELLS A STORYOn March 18, 2005, President Bush... Read More
Stripped down to its core, publicity is little more than... Read More
Use journalistic styleReporters are busy. Just like you.So when you... Read More
Just like a financial planning client fears not having enough... Read More
Lights...camera...ACTION.That's what often happens when people think of using media... Read More
Media relations is a great profession.On good days, I earn... Read More
Think of a triangle. On the left, imagine the story... Read More
Some folks see the word "strategic" as a needlessly tiresome... Read More
Would you advise clients to buy a stock based on... Read More
Ain't a gonna happen unless business, non-profit and association managers,... Read More
The public relations bar, should such a proficiency measure ever... Read More
For a business, non-profit or association manager, they could be... Read More
Demand that it pull its own weight in your boat... Read More
That big story the media pursue each day is what... Read More
From time to time, people ask me how public relations... Read More
Are you working as hard as you can in your... Read More
This is the ending to my previous article, How to... Read More
Public relations is all about credibility and trustworthiness. If you... Read More
Each of us is exposed to people from other cultures... Read More
Almost every day, I hear the same question, over and... Read More
Big corporations like General Motors and Coca-Cola spend thousands of... Read More
As a business, non-profit and association manager, how satisfied are... Read More
There's an old African proverb:"If you think you are too... Read More
Product/service publicity is the superhighway to business success everyone dreams.... Read More
The notion that a business, non-profit or association manager can... Read More
Another way to really become known in your area is... Read More
The Public Relations (PR) industry is responsible for creating and... Read More
When do you use the newspaper for publishing announcements for... Read More
News releases are not the best way to get major... Read More
As a business, non-profit or association manager, your public relations... Read More
If you want to succeed, build a great team. A... Read More
Public Relations |