A good way to get publicity is to link your "news" to a holiday of some sort. Use the calendar to spot all the traditional ones for next year. Circle them and map out your story pitching strategy. Also get familiar with off-beat commemorations, awareness and theme days and months that could attract media attention.
Marketing expert Ilise Benun recently wrote a post in The Marketing Mix blog with a list of fun holidays. It should get your creativity cooking.
Use Google or your favorite search engine to find lists of "holidays and observances" you can work with or re-work to fit your business or field. Ask the librarian at your local library reference desk about books such as The Encyclopedia of American Holidays and National Days and Chase's Calendar of Events.
You can even "invent" a holiday of your own to celebrate. A twist on holiday observances labeled "the first annual" might make a successful pitch.
Even if the journalist doesn't mention your invented "holiday" specifically in the piece, they may still want to do a story about your clever gesture or celebration.
Let's hear some of your holiday ideas for next year.
Thank you for including that link about obscure holidays! I'm looking for some holiday links for an ebook I'm writing about ideas for vlogs.
P.S. I'm near Hershey, PA.
Posted by: Jendi | December 14, 2009 at 08:25 PM
Thanks for the comment, neighbor. Your ebook sounds very timely. Im experimenting with vlog/web tv myself. Id love to do an audio interview when youre ready to launch. Best of luck.
Posted by: Janet Vasil | December 15, 2009 at 10:43 AM