All posts tagged press release

How To Pitch Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine ~ Part II

Posted on:April 27, 2011 Comments: No Comments Categories: Blog

Welcome to Part II of How to Pitch Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. In our first post with David, we shared some feedback from the editor-at-large of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine, Tampa Bay’s monthly parenting resource in print and online. David handles all editorial components of the publication as well as overseeing product features and event coverage in the magazine.

Below you’ll find some helpful hints on how to pitch this publication, plus a video message from David! (Note: His helpful hints do not only apply to PR firms and publicists, but any brand representatives or companies who are actively reaching out to the media!)

What best practices can you share?
Be honest. Don’t fluff a product or feature just to get me to look at it. Tell me exactly what you are pitching and how you think it can work with our publication. If you can find a unique way to incorporate it into Tampa Bay Parenting that we may not have thought of, the better.

What makes a product standout when it’s pitched to you?
We like to feature products in Tampa Bay Parenting that will make our readers lives easier. Being a parent isn’t easy and readers don’t want a product that is going to make their lives and the lives of the kids more difficult. Products that include very long set up or lots of technology knowledge don’t really go over well with our readers.

What is the best way to pitch a product?
The most effective way to pitch a product is to send our office a press release. If we are interested we will contact the PR firm for samples. We must receive samples of a product in order to feature it in the publication. A panel reviews each product to meet certain qualifications. Just because you send a sample it is not guaranteed that your product will be featured.

Step 4 of the Secret Ingredients To A Press Kit: Including Press Coverage

Posted on:January 19, 2011 Comments: No Comments Categories: Blog

Image courtesy of wikimedia.org

This is one of the most fun parts of creating your press kit! With this step you are able to be totally boastful and include the most recent press releases that were written about your product/service, as well as any press coverage your business has received.  So for the first time or first time in a very long time, you don’t have to think of anyone else but yourself! Now pick your jaw up off the ground and let’s get started…

We like to think of this step as the ultimate way to impress your audience. Think of Paul Cézanne (whom Google gives a shout out to today). His post-imPRESSionist works of art have been displayed in museums across the globe. Cézanne’s works of art undoubtedly impressed potential buyers. Much like Cézanne, you will want to use your imPRESSionist works, which in this case are your press releases and any press coverage, to impress your reader. (Phew! We think you get it.)

Press releases provide information to the media with the hopes of reaching the public via news coverage. Properly crafted press releases will showcase your business in a positive way. They will prove how newsworthy, credible and successful your product/service is as well.

You will also want to include any coverage or mentions your company has received from the press. This may include reprints of magazine stories, screen shots from online publications, clips from a newsreel, or for electronic press kit purposes, include links to prior interviews.

We know that you have it in you to get your brag on, so gather up all of your materials and get ready to toot your horn! If you find yourself struggling, or you’re in need of some recent press coverage for yourself or business, reach out to us!

How to Pitch Fashion Mag: Bayfront Magazine

Posted on:October 15, 2010 Comments: No Comments Categories: Blog

It’s not one size fits all when it comes to pitching the media, and fashion media outlets are no different. It’s not just about the clothes, but the reader demographics and knowing what the audience is interested in seeing is key! White Book Agency’s PR & Marketing Director, Nancy Vaughn, contributed a post titled, “Fashion, Entertainment, Celebrity: How to Pitch Bayfront Magazine” on the respected fashion PR resource, PR Couture. Check out the interview!

Bayfront Magazine launched just eight short months ago with the goal of mixing mixing Vogue, Elle and Vanity Fair  (publications EIC Julie Rabbini loved to read while growing up) with something new.  To celebrate the first quarterly issue, featuring Audrina Patridge of The Hills on the cover, Bayfront Magazine held launch parties at the Blue Martini in Naples and Fontainebleau‘s Liv nightclub in Miami Beach.

Who is Bayfront Magazine’s target audience and where is it distributed?

JR: Our target demographic is women and men, 18-mid 40s who are fashion savvy, chic and interested in high-end fashion, couture, style and entertainment. Right now our magazine is distributed in Miami, Naples and surrounding cities, plus distribution in Los Angeles. We plan to take our magazine national after the first of the year in 2011. Our magazine comes out quarterly and is also available online.

How did you get started in the fashion magazine industry?

JR: I’ve worked at various magazines around town and I’ve always been drawn to fashion, photography and everything else combined. A magazine is a good medium to mix everything together. I felt like Bayfront Magazine was something desperately needed in this area because I noticed their [other publications] fashion sections were small.

Visit PR Couture for the full article by clicking here.

'Tis the Season

Posted on:June 1, 2010 Comments: No Comments Categories: Blog

For those of you whom haven’t done so already, it’s that time to start thinking about gift guides and holiday feature stories. It’s hard to imagine that in 90+ degree weather that the winter holidays would be on the brain, but many long lead publications deadline in the coming weeks for their December issues.

Why should you care? Well, we all know that the Christmas and winter holiday season is the busiest time of year when it comes to shopping. Buying is on the minds of consumers and sales tend to be strong during that time of year. If you have a product or service, you’ll want to pitch it and take advantage of getting in front of customers who are on the hunt for that great gift. You’ve seen the guides:

  • 10 Gifts to Give the Guy Who Has Everything
  • What to Get Your Favorite Cousin This Season
  • Presents That They Won’t Re-Gift

Have you thought about how to get your product and/or service featured in the holiday gift guides?

Some things to consider before going the gift guide route:

1) Would your product/service make a great gift? Seems obvious, but you’d be surprised at what some may consider a “good” gift. Ever received a not-so-great gift? Same goes for a story pitch. Spark plugs might not be high on the gift-giving meter, however,  an auto kit in an attractive case might get some play. Service-wise, a unique spa or salon treatment has a better chance of making a gift guide list than, let’s say…services for a tax attorney.

2) Do you have samples? If you have a product, are you able to send out samples to the media outlets you’ll be pitching? Having samples is an important investment as it allows the media to become familiar with your product first-hand. Reading that your skin cream makes your skin soft and smells delicious is different than personally experiencing it and sharing it with someone – hopefully a couple hundred, thousand someones via the media outlet.

3) Are you ready? Do you have the basic questions and more answered about this great gift you’re suggesting? The media is going to want to know answers, like how much your product/service costs, who will benefit from it and why, how long it has been on the market, what makes it different (or better) than [insert name], and where it’s available for purchase. Having these answers will be helpful in securing gift-guide worthy coverage for your product/service.

We can help you with print, online and broadcast media outlets focused on their gift guides and holiday feature stories. Let us give you a hand in your gift-guide strategy and contact us today!

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