Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I thought I would turn my publicity efforts to some of the women`s magazines this year.  Has anyone ever successfully pitched the national women`s magazines (Good Housekeeping, Redbook, etc) with their business or a product?  I`m wondering what the best way is to get your foot in the door.  Are email pitches ever really read?  Does a press kit just sit in the corner?  If anyone has any words of advice or wisdom on magazine pitches, please chime in.  Thanks!

Renee,

How you pitch a magazine editor depends on the editor and her/his preferences for contact method, whether you are pitching a product or a service and the timeliness of the story.

Can you provide more information?

Hi Renee,

The good news is that it is possible to get published in these large media venues. It`s just going to take some extra time and effort on your part.

To get started on your PR efforts, read the appropriate magazines and find the reporters who cover articles related to your business.

Then, develop some good story angles specific to each of these reporters. Once you have your ideas down, call or e-mail the reporter directly and briefly pitch your idea.

If you can`t get through via phone, try sending a short e-mail with a succinct pitch and your contact information. And if you have all of your media-kit information online. you can just provide a link to the kit in your e-mail - Save postage and time!

And please don`t get discouraged. It does take time and practice pitching to break through some media venues. But if you have an interesting and unique story, the odds are in your favor.

Hope this helps!

Melanie

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Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites

And Lisa is right on. You really need to know who you are pitching to get through.

Thanks,

Melanie

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Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites

This is great advice. I use writersmarket.com for contacts.

So much of getting exposure in local, regional and national magazines is about establishing and maintaining relationships with editors and writers at the publications you wish to target.  My own relationships with such individuals began with sending one of my marketing packets to those specific to my industry.  The writers/editors are also on my email/snail mail press release lists - so they are always aware of what I am doing.  Occasionally, I will send an email, or make a call, to writers with whom I have worked previously, asking them if I can offer any assistance with upcoming stories.  With local writers for newspapers and magazines I`ve even asked them out for a cup of coffee - and they usually welcome the opportunity to get out the office to discuss what they are doing.

I`ve also established a reputation of being available when a writer/reporter needs an immediate source.  If possible, when contacted by an editor or writer, I will drop everything to respond to the publication`s immediate needs.

The result has been being quoted in publications such as Fortune, USA Today, Business Week and numerous publications specific to the design industry.  My design work has also been featured in many magazines.  Articles have been written about my business for local newspapers and national magazines.  I`ve also been asked to be on the Editorial Advisory Boards of two design publications.  With the release of my first book in 2004 (and with a second coming out this fall) my network for exposure for the book was well-established when needed.

I`ve now had relationships with some writers and editors for over 15 years.  Those relationships have continued as the publication sources have advanced in their own careers and, in some cases, have moved on to other magazines or newspapers.

Good luck with your promotion efforts.

- J.



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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!

Hi Jeff,

This is great advice, and it`s important to build media relationships on an ongoing basis. I`ve found that there is a lot of turnover at various media venues these days, and you need to keep track of changes in order to pitch your story to the right person at the right time.

Melanie 

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Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites

Hi All!

What is the best way to contact the media these days?  I am preparing to send out expensive media kits (snail mail), will they be ignored if I don`t send them via email? Which is best?

Thanks for your help! ~;o)

Bevla

www.hairconspiracy.com

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BReeves
founder & principal
http://www.HairConspiracyExtensions.Com

Pursue Your Dreams!

Hi Bevla,

Before you send out your media kits, you may want to directly call or e-mail the targeted reporters on your list. That way, you can pitch your story ideas and find out if there is any interest prior to mailing out an expensive kit.

Also, if possible, include all of the elements of your print media kit on your website so reporters can access it at all times and you can refer them to the site in your correspondence.

I hope this helps and saves you some time and money. I also offer free, public relations tips for small business via my newsletter at www.rembrandtwrites.com if you`re interested.

Good luck!

Melanie

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Melanie Rembrandt
CEO, Rembrandt Communications®, LLC
Visit www.rembrandtwrites.com for valuable PR tips and SEO copywriting help!
Twitter: @RembrandtWrites

Thank you so much Melanie!

I would like to hire a PR firm but they charge like lawyers and that scares me, is there ever a time when a client can pay a flat fee for specific coverage?

Thanks again!

~Bevla

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BReeves
founder & principal
http://www.HairConspiracyExtensions.Com

Pursue Your Dreams!