Comment

Comment by Laina Turner on December 13, 2011 at 6:14pm

I just put that post in my files!

Comment by Scarlet Paolicchi on December 13, 2011 at 4:01pm

I just "dugg" it the article!

Comment by Scarlet Paolicchi on December 13, 2011 at 3:59pm

I love stuff like this.  THanks for passing it on!

Comment by Rhonda Fischer on December 13, 2011 at 2:12pm

Thank you Laina for introducing me. Here is some more great information. This is how it worked for me. Looking outside the box can be fun! Marketing without Cash...Yikes!

Here's "10 Commandments for Sending E-Mail to The Media":

1. Think, think, think before you write. Ask yourself why you are writing, and what are you trying to accomplish by writing. Put yourself in the position of the person reading your message. You are a busy media professional. What would you do upon receiving your message? Publish it or toss it?

2. Target narrowly and carefully. Go for the quality contacts and not the
quantity. Don't broadcast a query or news release or announcement to
irrelevant media. Pick out your target media carefully, based on the industry or readership of the specific media you are targeting. Study the media your are writing to. Write the way the editors write. Make it easy for them to use your submittal.

3. Keep it short -- Trim your e-mail message so that it fills one to three
screens. Keep it three to four paragraphs tops. Don't try to sell the media
your product. Do try to get their interest and make a request for more
information.

4. Keep the subject and content of your message relevant to your target --
it's got to be newsworthy and timely. The subject should intrigue them enough to read your message. Present and propose problem-solving articles which advocate the benefits or techniques associated with a strategy, technique, product or service. This article is an example.

5. If you are seeking publicity for a product or service, or want to get
reviews for a new book or software, use a two step approach -- query with a
hook and news angle before transmitting a news release, or an article, or
offer to send a review copy to those who request it. Offer free review copies. To avoid angry replies and complaints about unsolicited e-mail send a very brief e-mail requesting their permission to send them a release before actually doing so.

6. Tailor the submittal to the media editorial style or content. Go to a
library, read it on-line, or write and ask for a free media kit and a sample copy of the magazine or journal. Study the style and content of the media. Then write the way they like it. Seek to develop a longer term relationship as a regular contributor.

7. Address each e-mail message separately to an individual media target. Take your time and personalize each e-mail. Don't ever send to multiple addresses. It's the easiest way to get deleted without being read.

8. Reread, reread, and reread and re-write, re-write, re-write before you
click to send.

9. Be brutally honest with yourself, and with your media contacts. Don't make claims about your product or service you can't prove.

10. Follow-up in a timely manner, with precision writing and professionalism.

Remember, there are real people at the receiving end. Your success with the
media depends on your respecting the media and being courteous, plus your
credibility, reputation and performance.

Good luck and prosper. It is not hard to garner news coverage if you take your time and do a careful job. The benefits can be phenomenal. E-mail is a good way to make the most of limited funds. You can work locally, regionally, or nationally and all you need is a computer with an Internet connection and e-mail.

You can and should use e-mail to get news coverage for your business, but you shouldn't rely on e-mail alone. When used together with conventional PR (mail, paper, phone and fax), you get the maximum effect. Cultivate relationships with media by becoming known as a valuable contributor. If you give them what their readers want, they give you free publicity.

Comment by Laina Turner on December 13, 2011 at 1:57pm

Rhonda thanks for posting that!! Great information to all our authors out there!

Comment by Rhonda Fischer on December 13, 2011 at 1:51pm

For Book Authors

I am a professional reviewer for all the big houses. Little cash is everyones problem. I have decided to give huge discounts to self published authors. I have two prices. $78 gets you into Chronicles across the United States and you can use the review in other places. Read by 11 million. For $150 you get that plus I give you Two Big Reviewers to send your book to and send it in for an award Contest. The extra money is to pay them. They give out 5 awards yearly and they are posted on Amazon and may other author posts.

If you have no money at all, you can still send the book and it will be reviewed for free. You will get the review in an email and not published. All money collected by Whim Publishing gives a  portion to children who cannot afford eye glasses. The Randy Kazandy Fund.

You can Market by using all Free Press Release forum. It really depends on what you are marketing but if you look outside the box it can be done. I get many sponsors to help me. They cover banners, bookmarks, flyers, stickers, props, all of that.