Surprises when pitching a story

Working with a new editor, we called first to pitch a client before sending the release.

And ran up against an unusual situation—someone pretending to be a colleague of our nationally known client who wasn’t affiliated with him.

Even we explained our client was legit, the editor was less-than-impressed.

“Not likely” he said, when asked if they’d run a release.  

Though it seemed like a lost cause, we didn’t give up. 

Instead, we changed the game plan. 

We beefed up the client’s credentials, adding an article from a nationally known newspaper with a photo of the journalist and client together.  

By doing so, we made it easier for the editor to check out the client's credibility and satisfy serious concerns.

As a result, the release was published, giving the client the publicity he wanted.  

For more information, please visit us at www.dellrichards.com.

Articles last a long time

On April 30, 2010, we published an article for a client that manufactures hand-washing monitors about the health problems that come up in restaurants without them. 

It was short, to-the-point and had a catchy title.

We told the client they could expect people to read it for a year or so.  

Even we were surprised at the results.

Last month, views finally stopped, topping out at 1,152.

That means people viewed our client’s article not for one year, but five.

Getting an article published is not as easy as advertising, but it has enormous credibility and lasts for a long time.

Your Open Rates
Title	Date Published	Total Opens	Opens - Last 30 Days
Is your restaurant handwashing a lawsuit waiting to happen?	04/30/2010	1152	0
Total Open Counts: 1152

For more information, visit us at www.dellrichards.com.

Why media prefer working with PR pros

People often ask why the media prefer working with PR people rather than the public.

When they work with PR people work, editors and producers know they’ll only get relevant information. 

They won’t have to waste time with details they don’t need or want.

If the media don't like an idea, although a PR person may give a few more details hoping to change the media’s mind, a pro would never argue.

Since the media usually uses AP Style—the PR person will send releases in that format so it can be dropped into stories verbatim.

If the media make a mistake—which journalists often do because the pressure is so fast and furious—PR people understand; they’ve often come up through the ranks and know what it’s like. 

If the gist of a story is right, a PR pro usually won’t nitpick details.

If they care about having clients as a “source”, PR people probably won’t ask for a retraction or correction, but be grateful for the time the media spent telling the client’s story.

And, if they are good at what they do, the PR pro will make sure the client understands how lucky they are to have the “free advertising” that’s called “coverage”.   

For more information, visit Dell Richards Publicity at www.dellrichards.com.  

 

How to create credibility

Studies show that men and women gain credibility differently.

People think men are good at what they do, but aren't trustworthy.

Since sexism is still alive and well, people think that women are trustworthy, but they don’t necessarily know what they’re doing.  

What that means for a speech and other situations where people are new is that men need to mention their wife and children.

Doing so, makes them seem human.

To be credible, women should never mention their husband or children.

If they do, they lose all credibility, immediately becoming “the little wife” or “the mother” in everyone’s mind.  

If at all possible, women should have someone else introduce them and give their credentials. 

One sentence such as "Dell Richards is the CEO of Dell Richards Publicity, which helps companies nationwide tell their stories through the media," will make a huge difference.
 
For more information on creating credibility, contact Dell Richards Publicity at www.dellrichards.com.